Should we learn Greek?

[Charles Meadows]

Dr Bob,

That's a good example. I agree with you on that one. Perhaps I should articulate my point differently. I am IN FAVOR of Christians, especially pastors, learning the basics of the biblical languages.

My concerns relate to how an individual views his/her Greek abilities. You mentioned learning Greek because:

Even a LITTLE knowledge of what God said (rather than depending on a group of paedo-baptizing Anglican priests) is better.

Or:

Even if you know little or no Greek, you are dependent on others who do and write commentaries, publish study bibles, etc. How do you know that THEY are accurately and unbiasedly sharing truth?

Consider 1 Cor 13:8. Prophecy and knowledge will be destroyed. Tongues will cease (pausontai). Some commentators have interpreted the middle voice here as being necessarily "reflexive" - meaning that the tongue cease THEMSELVES and therefore need not be destroyed. Thus this doctrine teaches that tongues have ceased (this example was taken from D A Carson's "Exegetical Fallacies", Baker Publishing).

Hogwash! Tongues HAVE ceased, but that is NOT what this passage means. By misinterpreting the grammatical issues doctrine has been changed! No small matter.

Perhaps I have misread you but your comments seem to overestimate what the average churchman will be able to do with a few years of Greek. I don't think we should tell people that when they "learn Greek" they'll be able to reprove the commentators! Yes they will have some insight into how the Word was actually put to paper - but most won't get beyond that.

Does the phrase "knowing just enough to be dangerous" mean anything to you?

 

[Dr. Bob]

I hear you. I've seen some horrendous exegesis (actually more eisogesis than anything) from someone who had a Vine's Expository Dictionary and a Strong's Concordance.

Even our average church members can be taught. And with the 'net, where to look to be sure they are not sucking ideas/definitions out of their thumb in the name of Greek!!

But I'll still stick with even a little knowledge is better than none. If I am dying and somebody doesn't know much CPR but is willing to give my imperfect mouth-to-mouth, I will be happy.

Now the rest of the BaptistBoard may secretly say "let the carion rot", but I will be happy!!

 

[Charles Meadows]

 

[rlvaughn]

Dr. Bob, the kind of person/preacher I had in mind when I posted earlier is one like a fella who has been to a few CPR classes and thinks he knows how to perform open heart surgery. I don't want him operating on me!

Some people need to learn a little about how little they know (it's not just those who've studied a little Greek who need that).

 

[Providential]

I think we should learn humility before we learn the Greek, because "knowledge puffeth up, but love edifies".

 

[Dr. Bob]

Thanks, Prov, but some here must be great lovers because reading their posts you realize that they don't know a thing!

Telling it (lovingly) like it is!

 

[gb93433]

Just as in the US nearly 100 percent speak and read English. I am sure that nearly 100 percent in Greece speak and read modern Greek. So languages are learnable by the masses if they desire.

 

[av1611jim]

Originally posted by gb93433:
Just as in the US nearly 100 percent speak and read English. I am sure that nearly 100 percent in Greece speak and read modern Greek. So languages are learnable by the masses if they desire.

__________________________________________________

This means nothing. Since MOST in the US have learned English since their infancy and MOST in Greece have learned Greek since THEIR infancy; I fail to see how that proves a particular language can be learned by the masses as that concept applies to this thread.

It will be noted that MOST people who learn multiple languages, do so while still young.

So what is it you hope to prove by your statement? I am just asking, not lighting ANOTHER fire.

In HIS service;
Jim

 

[Trotter]

It will be noted that MOST people who learn multiple languages, do so while still young.

Like you said, Jim...MOST...but not ALL.

Learning a different language takes motivation, determination, and a good teacher (experience is a good one...go on a mission trip to Mexico and see how quick you pick up on Espanol).

While it is easier when young, it is not impossible when older. It just takes more effort. And some things are worth the effort.

In Christ,
Trotter

 

[gb93433]

Originally posted by av1611jim:

So what is it you hope to prove by your statement? I am just asking, not lighting ANOTHER fire.

The point is that languages are not so unattainable that one cannot learn another language should they choose to.

 

[av1611jim]

Originally posted by gb93433:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by av1611jim:

So what is it you hope to prove by your statement? I am just asking, not lighting ANOTHER fire.

The point is that languages are not so unattainable that one cannot learn another language should they choose to. </font>[/QUOTE]__________________________________________________

I never doubted that for a moment.

In HIS service;
Jim

 

[Ransom]

KeithS said:

However - I am seeing very few of you Greek guys pushing for Hebrew classes or claiming how knowing Hebrew helps you understand Scripture. Granted, the thread is about Greek, but shouldn't you be consistent in your views?

</font>

• If a church is offering the course, its resources may be limited. Assuming they may be able to offer one or the other but not both, then Greek would be preferable to Hebrew.</font>
• Greek is easier to learn, because English (and most European languages) are based in part upon it.</font>
• Greek is the language of the Christian Scriptures, in which the deeds and teachings of the Lord Jesus and his apostles are recorded.</font>

Just because one may not have the time or resources to teach both Greek and Hebrew doesn't mean that therefore you should teach neither. It has nothing to do with "consistency."

 

[Ransom]

Charles Meadows said:

We can see how someone who has had seminary Greek for 2 years can make a statement about the "slight difference" in meaning of two Greek words and be completely off base. Thus he might WRONGLY exegete the passage. In truth he'd have been better off had he not employed his knowledge of Greek to this passage.

But earlier, you said:

Love is generally alot [sic] stronger and deeper than is like, which is seemingly more superficial.

There's no such word as "alot." You seem to have an imperfect knowledge of English. Perhaps it is best if you don't use it at all.

 

[Charles Meadows]

 

[Phillip]

Thank you for your statements, Ransom. I appreciated your post on Hebrew vs. Greek. When I took Hebrew in school, I found it to be much harder to learn than Greek. Greek is a lot more complex than you first think, but it is easy to get a grasp on the pronounciation of the letters and therefore easier to understand what the words are about.

Hebrew was difficult and hard to get into because the letters are so different.

It is like reading a novel. If you cannot get into it quickly, then you loose interest. I feel Greek is much easier to make some headway and get started. Just my humble opinion.

I am quite surprised this subject has continued. I just assumed it would end up as a few pages when it first started.

It is an interesting subject. Maybe I should post a poll?

 

[KeithS]

Originally posted by Ransom:
KeithS said:

However - I am seeing very few of you Greek guys pushing for Hebrew classes or claiming how knowing Hebrew helps you understand Scripture. Granted, the thread is about Greek, but shouldn't you be consistent in your views?

</font>

• If a church is offering the course, its resources may be limited. Assuming they may be able to offer one or the other but not both, then Greek would be preferable to Hebrew.</font>
• Greek is easier to learn, because English (and most European languages) are based in part upon it.</font>
• Greek is the language of the Christian Scriptures, in which the deeds and teachings of the Lord Jesus and his apostles are recorded.</font>

Just because one may not have the time or resources to teach both Greek and Hebrew doesn't mean that therefore you should teach neither. It has nothing to do with "consistency."

Ransom, I haven't looked in on this thread in a while and noticed this post. Just in case the record was not clear - I support the idea of teaching languages to the laity where there is interest. My original complaint was that many in the thread on both sides of the issue were advocating extreme positions - i.e. you don't need Greek... or... you must know Greek. I doubt that too many hold to these extreme positions, but they were being well represented in the attitude of the posts.

Certainly, teach Greek if that is all you can do. Teach both if it is practical. Teach them how to use a Strong's if you don't have the means to teach the languages...but teach them something.