Customer Reviews

Let There Be Light: The Seven Keys

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It should first be noted that this book is not written as a scholarly journal, and therefore does not deserve the criticism reserved for a scholarly text.

This book is about helping the general reader and student of the teachings of the Bible to be more receptive to the the context in which the stories contained within were written and who they were written for.

Mr. Errico describes in simplistic terms and examples how the Bible can be understood differently by those looking at it two thousand years removed. He presents his seven steps to studying the Bible in its proper context. Drawing heavily upon the teachings of George Lamsa, he presents other possibilities for understanding some idiomatic expressions contained in the Bible.

I can't say that I agree with everything that is contained within this text. I think other scenarios are more probable, but will fairly allow for the possibility.

I do reccommend this book, not necessarily for the interpretations contained within, but for the good advice on how to approach the Bible's teachings and how to frame the study so as not to ignore the proper context.

Definately some great ideas on the Bible and Jesus. Sheds light on so many illogical things that never make sense to most of us. Makes the bible much more understandable and user friendly.

I learned a lot. I read this going. "oh my God, that makes perfect sense now! That's what Jesus really meant."

It's more of a spiritual seekers book than one for "strict" Christians who are not into new ideas and interpretations on the bible. Although after reading this you feel like you can't imagine how anyone ever got along without these ideas because they make so much sense.

"Let There Be Light: The Seven Keys" is an ideal book for anyone interested in understanding the Old and New Testament from the perspective of Middle Eastern language, culture, and mysticism. Written in a very informative and relaxed style, "Let There Be Light" takes the reader through a virtual short course on Semitic culture. Once obscure and confusing Biblical citations become clearer, more informative, and meaningful through Rocco's careful scholarship and teaching style. This is an excellent book for lay readers or students of religious thought.

This book, along with "Setting a Trap for God" really opens up the Scriptures as few books are able to. Both my wife and I got goosebumps as we read the section regarding the meaning of Jesus always saying "Truly or verily, verily I say....." Highly recommended for anyone wanting a full understanding of the Scriptures!

A mind boggling and tremendously fascinating book. If you are among the many who never really figured out what Jesus actually said on several occasions, this is a book for you. The author unveils 7 keys to open up the door to the ancient Aramaic world from which the Bible (or at least the New Testament) emerged. The language is plain and simple and the contents will give you a much deeper insight into New Testament and Biblical teaching that you think would ever be possible.

Usually it is claimed that the Bible was written in Classical Greek, then translated into Aramaic and all the other languages. However, the author of this book suggests that today's Aramaic versions are rather re-translations, as the Ancient Greek versions obviously include very many literal translations of Aramaic idioms. Translating idioms literally into other languages usually deprives the correct meaning of the words. Hence, this book offers a startling perspective on the literal and inerrancy controversy about the Bible. Even SHOULD the words been taken at face value, many sections simply cannot get overstood as intended and automatically once, as long as the Aramaic idioms are not overstood. (And the other six keys, which are the Aramaic language to begin with, mysticism, the local culture of the Bible's origin, Biblical psychology, symbolism and amplification.)

The author stresses that he avoided as much as possible any theological implications and interpretations of the Bible according to any given denomination. In other words, the issue at hand cannot be completely free of sections which are more or less challenging to one or the other variation of belief. Most will find this book highly rewarding, as this book is a key to unlock the mother tongue of Jesus and the immediate followers and authors of the Bible.

Personally, as a mystic, I did know about the constructed nature of the concepts of hell and the devil and that Adam and Eve are about the lost ONEness. However, the specifics getting unveiled is of tremendous value. However, if you have gotten fond of those concepts, this book may be a bit too challenging. Of course everyone is free not to take the author's words for 100% true, I have a couple of reservations/variated approaches as well. Naturally. Nevertheless, this 166-page thin book is a milestone for my spirituality. And challenging, too. After having read a zillion interpretations of the Sodom and Gomorrha text, which included such absurdities as an A-bomb turning Lot's wife into a pillar of salt (I am not kidding, read Technology of the Gods: The Incredible Sciences of the Ancients), personally I have grown fond of a specific hard scientific (geological-physics) explanation for the words. Now I find out, to become a pillar of salt in Aramaic simply means to suffer a stroke (getting paralyzed and pass on)! Made me chuckle, even though I will probably have to let go of my prior concept. Considering that this book had been published originally in 1985 already (I read the 1990 edition), I am not amused that it has escaped me for that long.

For sure, this book isn't one-sided. Both camps who take the Bible literally will get challenged here, confirmed there. Christianity and the Bible specifically cannot get dismissed anymore for the literal words, including many so-called inconsistencies. Yes, they are there, but not important after overstanding the Aramaic culture as described in this book. The book goes into the concept of parabels having been intended to convey an impression in constrast NOT to construct mere definitions of messages, which may lead to the establishment of dogmas. So, be warned, if you like dogmas.

Indirectly, the book says that today's translations are usually using stilted and ossified versions of the respective language, whereas originally the Aramaic scripture had been that successful, because it used colloquial contemporary words - exactly the major source of the problems in mistranslations of today.

The author takes a look at the females' role in the original Aramaic overstanding. What a difference! Yet, neither feminists not mystics will be fully satisfied. In fact, I am glad to have gotten assured that the book is merely descriptive in the original culture setting of those concepts in some instances. Maybe the author isn't completely overstanding the mystical concept, which words he is putting to paper that there is neither male nor female to begin with.

Most certainly, he is still believing in the construct of races among humans. Even worse, averring that 4,000 years ago, the Aramean shepherds were a white race later called Hebrews. For a contradicting revelation read e.g. The Africans Who Wrote the Bible.

If you are interested in how the New Testament in the Old Greek version got mis-copied once and again to further change the text, read Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why (Plus). If you are interested in the source myths of the Old Testament, read 101 Myths of the Bible. If you are interested in pre-Christian stories more or less identical with the Jesus story, read The World's Sixteen Crucified Saviors: Christianity before Christ (be warned, it's anti-Christian / anti-religious). If you are interested in a mystical overstanding, read e.g. The Mystical Journey from Jesus to Christ.

This was the first Rocco Errico book I purchased over ten years ago. It was eye opening and mind opening as it explained previously misundestood portions of the New Testament. It provided a context through the lens of language and culture that was actually liberating.

Studied under the orginal George Lamsa,and it is a "have-to" read
for anyone studying Metaphysical Truth.
Its clear,concise and mind-exploding.

My studies are Interfaith. I was raised Christian...I just love the meaning of the words in Aramaic. It is helpful for me in gaining a clearer understanding of lessons in the bible. It is a wonderful book along with the second book, ...And there was light. I intend to read other books by this author.

This is a fascinating and comforting book. It explains some of the disturbing parts of the bible through the context of culture and language. It's interesting, informative, and takes no sides as to denomination.

I found this book lots of fun to read. I keep thinking about it, and that's the mark of a good book.