Setting a Trap for God: The Aramaic Prayer of Jesus

I read the 2006 version of the 1997 revised edition of the 1975 original aka "The Ancient Aramaic Prayer of Jesus: The Lord's Prayer". It takes Rocco A. Errico 120 pages to sufficiently explain Christianity's most important, the Lord's Prayer, of 14 short lines, based on the Aramaic original. As the catchy new title of the book suggests, Aramaic idioms are difficult to overstand if translated literally. Anybody praying the paternoster should be aware of this book. Actually, I find the prayer in its new old light more universal than limited to Christianity. One major reason, why the content of this book is taught to ministers, but not from the pulpit, is the prayer's mystical nature. As the book says, the prayer is the very expression and recognition of our Oneness and union with God. The Church(es) don't like mysticism, as they are afraid, they might lose authority as intermediaries. Another is: Officially accepting this original teaching of the Lord's Prayer equals the opening of Pandora's Box. Much more than 14 lines would have to get re-explained by analysing Aramaic idioms. Which this author is doing: Read e.g. the no less recommendable Let There Be Light: The Seven Keys. I also appreciated that the book turned away from the concept of suffering. I had just finished reading An Unbroken Circle: Linking Ancient African Christianity to the African-American Experience, which in all sin-cerety ordered me to accept racism, because indulging in suffering would be the ultimate and original Christian concept... An additional information: Errico is referencing other scholars as averring that "Yah" would be an abbreviation of "Yahwe", without himself confirming this. The more recent book The Africans Who Wrote the Bible very convincingly states that both terms are derived from the Akans' African language, with "Yah" representing the female version of patriarchal "Yahweh". How about that? I have always found it strange to supposedly abbreviate God anyway...

I am purchasing my fourth copy of this book. I have worn out or loaned or given copys away. "The information is accurate...its what they teach at the seminary..." A minister who borrowed the book told me. I asked why is it not taught from the pulpit. He replied, "People are'nt ready for it" I challenge you to read the book and decide for yourself if you are ready for it!

I have heard Dr. Errico say the Lord's Prayer in Aramaic many times. However, this book really helped me learn the essence of Jesus' prayer. Don't let the simple presentation fool you. Dr. Errico brings each line in the prayer to light. It is very powerful. Anyone who says this prayer must read this book.

Every person that says the Lord's Prayer should read this book. The reader comes to understand how truly spirtual the prayer really is. So much beauty has been lost in the way the prayer was translated that it seems bland after reading this book. I have introduced this book to my family and friends and every one is inspired by it. Read it. You will learn from it.

Dr. Errico's book is an excellent introduction to the value and validity of the Aramaic words and prayers of Jesus. Written from a open-minded Christian perspective, "Setting a Trap" (which refers to the Aramaic word for prayer which may mean "to set a trap") helps the reader understand the full meaning of the Master's most famous, oft-quoted prayer.This book is an updated version of Dr. Errico's earlier "Ancient Aramaic Prayer of Jesus" (now out of print) which was published by the Church of Religious Science. This revised and expanded edition, published by the Unity Church (of which Dr. Errico is now a minister) is the best way for people to begin their Aramaic studies. Like all of Dr. Errico's books, it is far more meaningful and to-the-point than the current Aramaic books of Neil Douglas Klotz. As a teacher myself of the Aramaic Gospel message for 7 years, I wholeheartedly recommend any of Rocco Errico's books, along with works by his mentor George Lamsa, as the most reliable texts on the true words and deeper wisdom of Jesus.