Today many see the biblical languages as something that are useless to learn. They base this idea on several arguments. For example, one argument often put forward is that we have such great commentators that the individual student, pastor, teacher, etc., simply has no need to learn the biblical languages. Another argument which is often made is that we have such good English translations that we simply have no need to learn the languages. However, I believe Martin Luther has a good lesson for all of us to learn concerning the biblical languages. He faced a similar situation in Germany when people were asking him why they ought to learn the languages when they could read their German Bibles. His response is as follows:
Without languages we could not have received the gospel. Languages are the scabbard that contains the sword of the Spirit; they are the [case] which contains the priceless jewels of antique thought; they are the vessel that holds the wine; and as the gospel says, they are the baskets in which the loaves and fishes are kept to feed the multitude.
If we neglect the literature we shall eventually lose the gospel….No sooner did men cease to cultivate the languages than Christendom declined, even until it fell under the undisputed dominion of the pope. But no sooner was this torch relighted, than this papal owl fled with a shriek into congenial gloom….In former times the fathers were frequently mistaken, because they were ignorant of the languages and in our days there are some who, like the Waldenses, do not think the languages of any use; but although their doctrine is good, they have often erred in the real meaning of the sacred text; they are without arms against error, and I fear much that their faith will not remain pure (Martin Luther, as citied in John Piper’s The Legacy of Sovereign Joy: God’s Triumphant Grace in the Lives of Augustine, Luther, and Calvin [Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2000] 97).
In this quotation Luther explains that the gospel is at stake in learning the languages. He grounds this in the fact that the means by which the gospel comes to us is through the languages. Therefore, it behooves us all to learn the languages. Obviously, we have great commentators today; nevertheless, just as the “fathers were frequently mistaken” so are our commentators as they are fallible. Also, we have amazing English translations; however, none of the English translations are perfect or ever will be. Therefore, if we as Southern Baptists believe the gospel is important – which we do – then we should give ourselves to the task of learning the languages.
I personally know that learning the languages can be difficult as I have spent the many hours learning them and help teach students these things Nevertheless, is not the gospel worth our blood, sweat, and tears? I believe it is. Ours is a day wherein we have numerous resources with which to learn Greek and Hebrew; if someone reading this post is unaware of these resources please let me know by commenting on this post and I will provide a list.
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Great exhortation. Piper has some great stuff to say about it as well in his, Brothers, We Are Not Professionals.
Deek Dubberlys last blog post..The Pastor and Literature
I know of a few resources, but I would love to learn of more!
Deek,
Piper does have some great things to say in that book; however, I personally favor his section in the aforementioned book.
Chris,
For elementary Greek I would recommend everything by William D. Mounce (grammar, workbook, vocabulary cards); for intermediate (syntax) Greek I would recommend Wallace’s resources (grammar and workbook). For a Greek lexicon I would recommend BDAG and also Burer and Miller’s New Reader’s Lexicon. For elementary Hebrew I would recommend Fuller’s resources (grammar, workbook, and DVDs); for intermediate (syntax) I would recommend Gesenius’s Hebrew Grammar. I use BDB for Hebrew but HALOT is the best. Also, I would recommend purchasing Bibleworks 8 to help with both languages. Within Bibleworks 8 you can purchase BDAG and HALOT as modules. I hope these resources help.
Who doesn’t want to know the Lord better? Who doesn’t want to get closer? While languages are not necessarily a guarantee of such closeness, they certainly are no hindrance and, in many instances, a distinct help. The pleasue of learning Greek in 1959-50, while a student at St. Louis Baptist College under David Bunch was one of the highest points in my acadmeic career. There were about 25 students in the class – all preparing for the ministry, some already pastoring. We met five days a week at 8 in the morning. A paper was due every day, and we had a pop quiz ever morning except Thurs., when we had a major test. I was carrying 12-13 hrs and working 40 hrs a week in a factory and preaching on XEG out of Monterey, Mexico once a week (by tape recording), teachin SS, preaching in a rescue mission. I thought I was having the greatest fun in life. My average that first semester was 2nd highest in the class, 97.4 ? THOSE PREACHERS CRACKED JOKES EVERY MORNING.
Dr. James Willinghams last blog post..The Climax of the Reformation
Who doesn’t want to know the Lord better? Who doesn’t want to get closer? While languages are not necessarily a guarantee of such closeness, they certainly are no hindrance and, in many instances, a distinct help. The pleasue of learning Greek in 1959-50, while a student at St. Louis Baptist College under David Bunch was one of the highest points in my acadmeic career. There were about 25 students in the class – all preparing for the ministry, some already pastoring. We met five days a week at 8 in the morning. A paper was due every day, and we had a pop quiz ever morning except Thurs., when we had a major test. I was carrying 12-13 hrs and working 40 hrs a week in a factory and preaching on XEG out of Monterey, Mexico once a week (by tape recording), teaching SS, preaching in a rescue mission. I thought I was having the greatest fun in life. My average that first semester was 2nd highest in the class, 97.4 ? THOSE PREACHERS CRACKED JOKES EVERY MORNING. I thank God to this day for Dr. David Bunch and my fellow students. By the end of the second semester my grade had dropped to a B, and every light had a halo around as I had pushed my self to hard apparently. 12 yrs. later I took the advanced standing in Greek and managed to by pass firt yr. Grk in seminary all due to Dr. Bunch’s thorough teaching. It is a shame that the seminaries dd not get him…one the great geniuses for teaching Greek. And I speak with a little authority after having attended 10 schools above the secondary level, all the way from a small Baptist college in TX to an IVY League U. I also speak who taught at 3 different state institutions and delivered a lecture at an Ivy League school. You will pardon me, if I feel like thanking God for all the great teachers I have had across so many yrs.
Dr. James Willinghams last blog post..The Climax of the Reformation
Heidegger (among others, I’m sure) said every translation is an interpretation. I think that’s right. That being said, it’s hard to think of a greater privilege for the teacher of God’s Word than to be able to interact with the language as originally inspired.
Sure, it’s hard. Sure, it’s time-consuming. Sure, the vast majority of what you do will not be readily apparent to those under your teaching, unless you fall into the trap of regularly slipping in a little Greek to impress them and remind them of who’s the real Bible scholar.
But, in particular, for those blessed to be able to teach/preach for their vocation, we owe it to our people to give them our best in study, which I’d argue includes language study.
Thanks for a post that will cut against the grain of pragmatism in the pastorate.
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