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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
Martin Luther, the great Protestant reformer, wrote the following in regard to the importance of understanding Greek and Hebrew when studying the Bible: 'The languages are the sheath in which the s...
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Georg Kouz
It is of vital importance to know ancient Hebrew, Aramaic, and biblical Greek to get the correct meaning of many Bible verses. Both Aramaic and Greek language are full with idioms that if not translated correctly we get the wrong meaning. Unfortunately many Bibles are from a transliteration from Aramaic and ancient Greek language where the meaning is corrupted. A small example is what Jesus meant in Luke 9:60 Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Can dead bury dead? You can get the correct meaning only if you know the biblical languages.
Philip Davies
Yes, it is important to know Greek and Hebrew when studying the Bible in detail. We need to remember that no translation is inspired, and there is no Authorized Version of the Bible in our own language. Having said that, any person led by the Spirit of God can, with almost any version of the Bible, find Christ. And for most, that is enough. Regards Philip
James Barclay
Faith, I feel, must guide us all in His name. A person who wishes to know His Word does not need to know Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic, French, German or Latin. But it is up to the evangelist to feed his or her hunger with the food he or she needs be it Urdu, Thai, Mandarin, Arabic or whatever. It is up to the scholars and other learned that need to make sure God's (Jesus') message is clear and that the evangelists (preachers, pastors, priests, prophets and missionaries) have the knowledge and necessary skills to spread the Faith. It is, I feel, the work and right living within and among us to show "See the Christians how they love one another" in our souls and our hearts. And let us scholars wallow around and seek the Quelle.
Daniel Donaldson
My answer is no, you do not need to learn at a scholarly level the intricacies and complexities of ancient languages to get a deeper, richer, more authentic and clear understanding of the scriptures. Even those who have devoted years of study to the multiple ancient languages of original texts have differences of opinion on the best word to use in a literal translation. Yes, there are startling amounts of vital information being glossed over in most modern English translations. However those who just speak and read English need not be feeling like second class citizens in the world of Bible Study. EBible makes available to us the Amplified Bible. This version does specifically what non-speakers of Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic need done for them. When the nuance, syntax, tense, or modern day understanding of a single word will not adequately convey the meaning of the original text, a gaggle of tip top academics who do know the original languages agree upon a group of words that will more adequately convey the original meaning and include them in parentheses right along with the traditional result of a word for word translation. Yes, that means it takes longer to read, but it also means it is so much more enlightening, richer, deeper, more clear. Here is an example: NKJV:17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) AMP 5:17 For if because of one man's trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God's] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). Some suggest that the ultimate enabler of the understanding of the Scriptures is the Holy Spirit, a statement with which I wholeheartedly agree. But let me ask this. How much could the Holy Spirit convey to a believer if the translation used is in Spanish, but the reader is not fluent in that language? The more meaning the version being read provides to the reader, the more meaning the Holy Spirit can amplify to their greater understanding.
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