QUESTION 1: “Neil Douglas-Klotz states, “I am the way” would not be possible to say in Biblical Aramaic. Rather, the best translation is “I-I” meaning small I (ego), big I (universal consciousness) for Jesus “I am” sayings. Can someone clarify?“
ANSWER (April 2023)
I’m by no means a linguist, but I understand from my years of biblical & extra-biblical research that the texts are often translated to best capture the concepts and nuanced connotations of the original language using whatever words best convey those.
Not having word-for-word equivalent translations between languages therefore does not mean the original meaning or concept could not be communicated, it just means the translators may have had to use more (or less) words to ensure the clear and complete communication and integrity of the original concepts. This is true in any setting requiring translation.
Please also note that while Aramaic was the spoken language of the day, the New Testament was translated into Greek, the major language of learning and commerce in that era.
Lastly, all of Jesus’s mentions of being “I AM” are clear references to His deity and directly correlated to its original mention in Exodus 3:14 – God the self-sufficient, self-existing Creator of all. The phrase demonstrates His supremacy and dominion over all, the fact that He is the source of all life and power, and showcases His eternal nature. He is the infinite, self-sustaining God Who was, is, and always will be.
QUESTION 2: “Since Jesus is the author & finisher of our faith (Heb 12:2) but we are born dead spirits (Rm 5:12) & God is not the God of the dead (Mk 12:27) where do these faith salvationers get faith when faith is afterwards revealed (Gal 3:23)?“
ANSWER (May 2023)
I’ll keep it short and sweet.
We are born into the bios life as dead spirits (i.e., separated from the kind of life exclusive to God – see Rom 3:23 & 6:23), but do not STAY dead – if we open our hearts to the saving, life-giving power Jesus offers. If we open our hearts to Him, we are translated from the state of death (spiritual separation from God/eternal indictment) to life (the very breath of God and quality that makes Him eternal, qualitatively and quantitatively conferring upon us His nature and way of living – John 1:12, 3:36; 5:24; 6:47; 1 John 5:11–13; etc.).
The New Testament is founded on Jesus, as indicated in the last verse you referenced (see full context in Galatians 3:23–29). Anyone who has received new life (salvation) through Jesus does so by faith (Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 4:16; etc.). The opening of any person’s heart to the message of the Gospel can ONLY occur through faith (Romans 10:9–10;17; Acts 3:16; 4:7–12; 16:31; etc.).
Jesus came as a fulfillment of the law (Matthew 5:17; Romans 8:1-4; 10:4; Hebrews 10:5-9), and is the fulfillment of Scripture you quoted (Galatians 3:24-25; Galatians 2:16). “The faith which would be afterward revealed” is a belief in Jesus as the only way to a relationship with God and the life He offers (Galatians 3:26; 4:5-6; Romans 10:4; Galatians 2:16). That is where this “faith salvationer” got her corroborating faith foundation!
If the intra-biblical facts and Jesus factors above are not convincing enough to “wow” you, try investigating all the extra-biblical biological, archeological, sociological, architectural, and historical evidence about Jesus and match them up against the outrageous things He said and did.
I am in the healthcare field. Our constant mantra is “evidence-based medicine.” We can only ascertain and apply medical findings when they have withstood the rigors of unbiased scientific validation, verification, and ubiquitous application. Spiritual things – especially those that determine the quality (and often, quantity) of life on earth and in the afterlife – warrant the same, if not more thorough investigation. I encourage you to invest in yourself and your future by scrutinizing these truths more definitively and rigorously than one would mere conjecture. I pray that you embark on this and secure the best life ever!
QUESTION 3: Is it racist to love black Jesus more than Caucasian Jesus? Does this make me a sinner in the Lord’s eyes?
ANSWER (May 2025)
I’m curious to know how many Jesuses you believe there are.
No, believing in a black or caucasian Jesus would not be the reason anyone is a sinner. Sin is endemic to the human nature/race and everyone is a sinner outside of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (see Romans 3:23; Isaiah 53:6; 64:6; etc.).
Jesus had to be born into some race, and so came as a Jew. That said, you may have missed the essence of Who He is (John 1:1–12; 14:6; 8:12; 6:35, etc.) and what He came to earth to do (John 18:37; 10:10; Colossians 1:15; Ephesians 1:1–22; etc.).
Please message me privately if you would like to know more.
For questions on any of these and more, please email: graced@thewordofhisgrace.com