More Greek, Latin, and Hebrew

ALTHOUGH NOT AN ORDINAED CLERGY PERSON nor active with the Episcopal Church (USA) anymore, I felt compelled to answer your question concerning the study of two ancient languages -- Greek and Latin -- in higher education.

I went back to college after I retired from the military (U.S. Coast Guard), majoring in History. In order to fulfil my foreign language requirement for graduation, I took three semesters of Latin. While attending elementary and high school in the late 1950s to 1969, I took French, German, and Spanish. Latin proved to be the hardest but most interesting of the study of different languages for me. Instead of the typical dialog found in most foreign language classes, my Latin professor emphasized the translation and interpretation of documents and literature from both Ancient Rome and European Middle Ages.

It has been said time and time again that Latin is a 'dead language', but as long as certain contemporary languages such as French, Spanish, German, and, of course, English still prevail, Latin will still be alive, if only as the root of many living languages. I found Latin to be an important factor and part of my liberal education and have not and will never regret taking it. Latin has helped bring clarity and understanding for me of this universe that we live in.

Mark Wood
Christian Church of Vacaville (Disciples of Christ)
Vacaville, California, USA
23 August 2004

TO SERIOUSLY UNDERTAKE THE TASK OF PREACHING the Word of God absolutely requires a good working knowledge of Greek and Hebrew. I minored in Classics as an undergraduate and graduated from seminary with emphasis in Biblical languages. I can say first hand that no translation can serve as well as the original texts in the hands of a pastor who can read them. All translations, even those that are wooden and literal, are to some extent the interpretation of an individual or a group.

One of the great problems I see in the church today is that preaching isn't taken seriously. Expository preaching takes a lot of time to prepare and requires a good knowledge of the languages as well as a firm grounding in exegetical studies. But the payoff is worth the effort as the preacher unfolds and explains a passage for his congregation. Too many seminaries these days teach little or no Greek or Hebrew and instruct students in the 'art' of the 7 or 10 minutes homily. There are few passages of Scripture that can be adequately covered in such a short time. As a result many of our clergy are woefully unprepared to give a good, biblically based sermon and simply say a few words to the congregation, that while perhaps relevant to current events of the week, fails to clearly expound God's Word. And of course the end result is a mass of Biblically and theologically illiterate laymen in the pews.

If we take the Bible seriously as well as good expository preaching of the same, Greek and Hebrew are a must! And I must disagree with your conclusion that such knowledge probably won't further the Kingdom. Good preaching does and has always furthered the Kingdom of God and the ability to work with the text expertly requires a knowledge of the original languages. When was the Church at its peak: during those times when its ministers took the task of preaching seriously. St Peter is our first example in Scripture, but others have followed. The great expository sermons of the Fathers and the Reformers and the likes who followed in the past several centuries: Hooker, Simeon, Newman, Whitefield, Wesley, Edwards, Spurgeon -- just to name a few -- have served greatly to build the Church and all were able to work with the original languages.

The Reverend William Klock
Christ Reformed Episcopal Church, Portland, Oregon
Vancouver, Washington, USA
23 August 2004

I HAVE STUDIED INTRODUCTORY GREEK TWICE, once in undergraduate college and once in seminary. I am able to read the sounds of most words but only recognize the more common words or words that I am familiar with. (I was a lazy language student and did what I needed to get by because of other academic demands.) I have never studied Hebrew because I perceived it to be the harder of the two which is apparently wrong. I did not have the pleasure of learning Latin because when I was in high school they were at the point of phasing it out. French had replaced it as the second language of choice.

I am saddened that I did not at least learn Latin and Greek earlier on in my childhood studies. (It would have made seminary much easier I presume.) I could have picked up Hebrew at a later date. I realize now that classical education helped western civilization to understand where we came from and what our civilization is based on. Especially an understanding of the literature for various disciplines. As I try to educate myself, in light of this deficiency, I am constantly amazed at the treasures I find. My journey began in part due to mentors dead or alive that were trained with a classical or classically dominant education.

I come from the Pentecostal tradition where for several decades we tended to be anti-intellectual and 'fundamentalist'. I do not however believe that the different Bible translations and commentaries are enough. They are adequate tools however I believe that there is a lot of shallow preaching, teaching and popular theology today because of the inability to use the original languages properly. I think that language training should begin at a younger age whether the person is destined for ministry or not. This would be difficult to pursue in public schools in their accepted secular state. Perhaps private schools or tutorial language instruction is the answer.

The 'parson' used to be 'the person' in town because generally he was the most educated person. This unfortunately is no longer the case. The parson however is in good company however, as the culture as a whole becomes less and less literature and historically aware with the passing of each year. I hope this trend can be reversed with people who read and think and then act.

Shane Flanagan
Christian Life Assembly (non-Anglican)
Langley, British Columbia, CANADA
sflanagan@bc.paoc.org
23 August 2004

I HAVE TO SAY, WITH SOME SENSE THAT IT MEANS VERY LITTLE, that over several decades of my life I have studied Latin, Greek and Hebrew. It began in high school with Latin and continued in a Presbyterian seminary where the biblical languages were still viewed as critical. I first started studying Greek with my Pastor before entering seminary. The third time I studied was when I returned to seminary thinking I would pursue a PhD. I now have the privilege of teaching Greek to a group of my parishioners in our small congregation. While we are serious about our study we have some sense that there is something odd about our endeavour, so we refer to ourselves as 'Geeky Greeks.'

There is something profound that studying the biblical languages does. It is a tool that forces the reader to carefully examine the text to find out what it really says. It is a guard against the sloppy thinking and biased perspectives that fundamentalists and progressives alike can bring to the text. It is a way to underscore and facilitate the Protestant primacy of scripture over traditional interpretations and the latest 'well' reasoned enlightenment. It helps make true inductive study of the Bible happen. I am not fluent in Greek, but my study of it has helped me think critically about the conclusions of the commentators.

One of my students is a Pastor from India who wants to teach Greek to some poorly educated pastors over whom he has some responsibility. That has caused me pause about what amount of Greek would truly be helpful to them in their pastoral and evangelistic ministries. So far, I have not come up with a good answer.

The Reverend Doug Hale
All Saints' Episcopal Church, Whitman, Massachusetts
Hanson, Massachusetts, USA
pdqhale@comcast.net
24 August 2004

I HAVE REFERRED YOUR LETTER to my friend, an Episcopal priest whose undergraduate major was physics, his minor philosophy, and who studied Latin and I think Greek before he went to Nashotah House, which at the time at least was still requiring New Testament Greek.

The study of Latin is growing again in popularity in the public schools of New York state. There is more demand for -- a shortage of -- certified Latin teachers. I suggest that this is also happening elsewhere in the USA.

I once read a letter to the editor of The Living Church from a Greek scholar which pointed out that unfamiliarity with the alternate meanings of a Greek verb led translators to render a part of the Lord's Prayer as 'ne induca nos...' 'lead us not [into temptation],' rather than 'let us not fail...' I suggest that that alone is enough reason for us all to learn ancient Greek. Which these days one can do online: http://ancienthistory.about.com/

Linda Delfs
Holy Cross Anglican, Webster, New York, [New England province ACA]
Albany, New York, USA
23 August 2004

I HAVE TO CONFESS TO BEING A BIT of a language snob, mostly because I've studied dead languages for many years now, and as a medievalist, have no intention of stopping (sometimes to my dismay). I have done some translation work (councils and sermons, of all things) and so am more aware than most of the pitfalls which come with that task. As such my brain simply cannot comprehend how any translation can be considered 'literal.' However, I don't know if stiffer language requirements in seminary would help anything (or anyone, with the possible exception of the purveyors of caffeine). I know of many people who are brilliant in many ways, but cannot understand any language except their own despite honest effort, and find conversation around languages or linguistics boring. However, I hope that the requirement in many US diocese of one year of Hebrew or Greek has the effect of at least opening seminarians' minds to the possibilities that the words they grew up hearing read on Sundays may not be the end-all be-all. That may indeed be the best idea. I think that even if there were stiffer language requirements, it may not change much of what is happening in the Anglican Communion right now, save that we might be able to quote Greek at each other.

Thanks for posing such an interesting question, I look forward to reading what you find out.

Anna Langenwalter
none yet, just moved
Detroit, USA
24 August 2004

I DO BELIEVE BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF GREEK AND HEBREW is essential to Christian ministry. How can you teach the Bible as God's word without being able to read it in the original language? English translations of Greek or Hebrew texts cannot convey the impact of the original language.

I studied Greek, but have always felt deprived since I was not able to study Hebrew, so I have to trust what others have to say about the text. As a layman, my knowledge would be primarily for my own benefit, but I would love to be able to read original texts (as close as we come to them) for my own edification.

Rusty Callaway
St Thomas Episcopal Church
Columbus, Georgia, USA
rustycal@aol.com
24 August 2004

I AM ONE OF THOSE NOW ELDERLY PRIESTS WHO WERE REQUIRED to take Greek during seminary. It was in the canons of the time. However, one could be exempted for cause. The result of this seemed to be that introductory Greek was offered in order that one could fail, or at least do poorly, and have the facility attest to the fact that Greek was beyond your knowing and thus be exempted.

I, however, had taken introductory Greek in college and was placed in a special track for those of us (five in number) who had a Greek background. This class was great fun, in that one of my classmates was from Mexico and the professor's attempts to explain subtleties of Greek grammar using English frequently resulted only in more mystification for my classmate. Eventually I confessed to having some ability in Spanish so things went more smoothly with me doing translating. This seemed to work well, as my classmate is presently a bishop.

I cannot say that my knowledge of Greek, now very dim, nor some knowledge of Hebrew, has been of great help in my day-to-day ministry. It has been useful in my continuing study of commentaries, but not in any special way with my preaching or teaching. Once it was very useful when visiting another parish where the preacher began his sermon by saying, 'As we all know there are two words in the Greek language meaning power.' I was sure that I was the only person sitting in a working-class congregation who had the slightest idea of what those two words are.

I must admit that I have from time to time lapsed into using a Greek or Hebrew phrase in conversation at church meetings. This usually has produced blank responses. Only once when I uttered the Hebrew phrase, 'la olam', did I get a knowing reaction from the Jewish man seated to my right.

I would therefore say that my ability in these languages has been best for intimidating others, but in no way really helpful.

The Reverend Robert B. Williams
St Andrew's Episcopal Church
Tucson, Arizona, USA
robertbwil@msn.com
24 August 2004

I HAVE HAD THE GREAT PRIVILEGE OF STUDYING GREEK AND HEBREW. I am hoping to start learning Latin next summer in preparation for Ph.D. studies in the fall. The study of Scripture's original languages has been the most important element in my studies, in preparation for ordination. I could hardly compare my ability to understand and expound Scripture before and after taking a couple of years of each language. I am convinced that the ability to read the Bible in the original languages is imperative for any ordained clergy who has the responsibility to expound Scripture.

Knowledge of the original languages has given me the ability to appreciate the beauty of linguistic art (especially in the Old Testament, where authors have used precise measures of syllables, cola, verses, strophes, stanzas, concepts, etc., to create very elegant and meaningful patterns) and the nuances of grammar (especially in the New Testament, with precise and often complex theological formulations which depend heavily on the grammatical structure). Before I undertook my studies of theology and languages, I was told by some people that original languages are a good thing, but not necessary for teachers -- and none who told me that knew Greek or Hebrew! This is typical.

Here in the United States we have reached an all-time low in biblical literacy. There are millions of Christians who get their theology from televangelists who at best have no idea of what they are talking about, and at worse are peddling Scripture for their own personal gain, destroying lives. Independent churches pop up everywhere -- and one is constantly faced with the paradox that the Kingdom seems to be expanding, but at the same time looking less and less like the Kingdom of God as presented in Scripture. I have no words to describe the mess we are in, and how much it breaks my heart. This situation is largely the product of ignorant and illiterate 'clergy' who, even when well intentioned, often lead people astray as they make their theology on the fly.

I am part of a Reformed church, and in our tradition, there is great emphasis in the proper training of ministers. I am very thankful for that, while at the same time regretting that we are relatively small in this vast sea of independent, fundamentalist bible churches. I cannot be ordained without a Master of Divinity degree, and I cannot earn that degree without serious study of theology, history, Greek and Hebrew, for at least three years. I have also earned a bachelor's degree in Philosophy, in preparation for seminary, and it has proven to be extremely fruitful in my studies.

Obviously, I am not part of the Anglican (or, in our case, Episcopal) Communion. Yet, there are many things that I love about the original Anglican church, and I see myself constantly longing to be part of it -- and regretting that, given the present theological and moral confusion in its midst, alas, I cannot. I pray that the Anglican Communion will purge itself of its present woes, and maybe in the future, Lord willing, I will be able to contribute what He has allowed me to study and learn to the lives of people who are part of this great Church.

Marcelo Souza
Los Angeles, California, USA
24 August 2004

I DIDN'T BEGIN MY STUDY OF GREEK UNTIL I WAS a senior in college and had thoughts of going to seminary. I never got to the point that I was fluent in Greek but given enough time and with the assistance of a lexicon I could work my way through at least one of the readings for a particular Sunday. I found that reading the Greek text increased my understanding of the passage and helped me to relate it to other passages. Unfortunately, over the years the pressure of time (this is no doubt an excuse) has caused me to stop using the Greek text. From time to time I have tried to take it up again, but now I am really rusty. Maybe your article will provide me with the motivation I need.

My knowledge of Hebrew is limited to one year of study. I made a rather hasty decision as I was studying for my final examination that year. I remember looking at one of the assigned passages and thinking that after one year this still looks like 'chicken scratch'. After the exam I put my Hebrew Bible away and never opened it again.

I do think that the study of Hebrew and Greek is important and I am sorry that has largely dropped out of many Seminaries. One result is that I don't take the time to work slowly through a passage of Scripture.

Thank you for raising this question. I look forward to reading other responses.

Michael Pearson
St Mary's Episcopal Church
Wayne, Pennsylvania, USA
surfnclyde@aol.com
24 August 2004

I THINK THAT IF CERTAIN 'LEADERS' IN VARIOUS SPLINTER GROUPS had studied well their Latin and Greek, they would not be confounded as they purport to be on the meanings of such words as orthodox, communion, tradition, and (gasp) Anglican.

The Reverend Bindy Snyder
Chaplain, Memphis Theological Seminary
Memphis, Tennessee, USA
25 August 2004

ONE OF MY TWO UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS WAS Latin and Greek. I do not read the New Testament in Greek, and my Hebrew is minimal, but I appreciate being able to examine the text and make judgements about the work of commentators. I sometimes find real inspiration from thinking about a tough text in terms of vocabulary and grammatical construction. It can give a really unique understanding and has helped my preaching for years.

My Latin is wonderful. I really leaned this as a Roman Religious in a community which had Choir Obligation and therefore never made the transition to the Vernacular. I could recite the Pius XII translation of the Psalms from memory. I have never learned that with the BCP (28 or 79) Psalters. I say many prayers in Latin and reading Latin authors, Christian, in the original. I have been charged with writing propers and often get my ideas for the collects in Latin and draft them in a very bad version of same. I did the new Collect for Enmegahbowh following this method. It is the only one in a national publication.

The Reverend Michael P. Forbes
Local Anglican Fellowship
Rochester, Minnesota, USA
milou11@mcleodusa.net
25 August 2004

AS FAR AS LANGUAGES GO, I AM NO LINGUIST. Not from lack of trying! I have at least two years at University of Russian, French and German and can do very little in any of the three. But I did take Greek in Divinity School (but I am still a member of the Holy Order of the Laity). And I find the most rewarding glow of accomplishment when I remember translating the Book of Acts over two academic semesters (with a little time for a bit of the Gospel of John).

Andrew R. (Andy) Belcher
Grace Episcopal Church
Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
25 August 2004

I STUDIED GREEK WHILE GETTING MY M.DIV. -- I find it helpful to know more about the range of meaning of a word and phrase then to rely on a translator who has chosen his/her favorite. My education mainly consisted of being able to use the translators tools rather than personal fluency. I wish, now, that I had also taken Hebrew. Our son has his degree in Middle Eastern studies and reads and speaks Hebrew and Arabic. His knowledge has greatly enhanced my reading of the Hebrew Scriptures. I don't know how anyone can be a literalist after the least exposure to that language and its metaphorical base.

The Reverend Ann Fontaine
Episcopal Church
Lander, Wyoming, USA
annkri@aol.com
25 August 2004

I GAINED A LITTLE EXPOSURE TO GREEK AND HEBREW in seminary. I did not learn much, except how much I did not know. Language is not a particular gift, and I continue to look for good electronic aids, alas, reliance on good scholarship of commentators has served me far better.

On the other hand the last time I held the hand of a dying parishioner, a new mother, or debated with an HVAC contractor neither Greek, Hebrew nor Latin was of much help. (With the HVAC contractor, English was not much use either.)

I applaud and give thanks for those whose gifts include languages; we should continue to support their calling. I do not believe in depth knowledge of languages help lead a community of faith to live into their baptism.

I enjoy your writing and often find it insightful. Thanks for your commitment to Christ's ministry.

The Reverend John Scott Trotter
Holy Cross Episcopal Church
West Memphis, Arkansas, USA
frscott00@earthlink.net
24 August 2004

YOUR AO ESSAY HIT A HOME RUN FOR ME PERSONALLY, as I just began the study of Biblical Hebrew at a nearby Episcopal seminary. At age 53.9, I find it a hard slog; memorizing even the 'aleph-bet' has been like nailing Jello to the wall. Plus, I changed (lay) degree tracks, so it's not even required!!! Almost every evening I have asked 'and why am I doing this?' I look around and see so many 'useful' projects and tasks that cry for attention, yet here I am puzzling over strong and weak dagesh.

What keeps me going are the 'aha moments'. Such as learning that the very first word of Genesis really means 'when', not necessarily 'in the beginning'. 'When God created...' Knowing that enhances my theology of God and I realize that God truly is foreverlasting. Yes, I could have read that in a Bible commentary (drier than a martini) but it wouldn't have the same effect. To encounter the text at its most elemental is to 'know' the text, dare I say it, 'Biblically'! An intimate understanding, not a dry one.

Encounters such as these also confront me with the realization that there is no 'plain reading of Scripture'. Or, as some folks are fond of saying these days, 'Scripture plainly states etc.'. It is impossible to read Scripture literally when one has begun to learn the language.

Even if I take only a year (yikes!) of Hebrew, I know that I will never read the Hebrew Scriptures in the same way again. It is, perhaps, a fond wish that seminary graduates will be able to read Scripture fluently in Greek or Hebrew, but the exposure is far better than nothing at all. And, I hope, any priest (ordained or lay) will at least occasionally produce a richer, deeper homily because of that exposure.

Onwards once again to make those pronouns stick!

Diana Smith
St Alban's, Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., USA
dianas@mindspring.com
27 August 2004

BIBLE STUDY CAME LATE IN LIFE, but even so I have been a fairly serious student for about twenty years. I teach Sunday School and study groups. The neat thing about teaching is that you learn so much! I firmly believe that the Holy Spirit is very active in my preparations.

In the last couple of years a very special part of study has been the Internet. At my finger tips is a wealth of information, most particularly wonderful insights provided by Jewish writers. Since I like studying the Old Testament, this has been an extremely valuable resource. I am constantly amazed at the additional insight gained by a Google search on a person or a topic.

Of course, one must be discerning about what you find on the Internet, but the amount of really good information that is available immediately is mind boggling! And I can only imagine that as the Internet gets better and I get more proficient in using it, I will have resources once only available to those with access to a vast library.

While I firmly believe in the benefits of a formal education, there is now a resource for those of us who do not have that. All the research I do will never show up on a resume, but it does show up when I teach my lesson on Sunday morning, and it the end, that is all that really matters.

Miriam C. Dixon
St Francis Episcopal Church
Forest City, North Carolina, USA
mdix@blueridge.net
27 August 2004

I ENTERED SEMINARY MORE THAN TEN YEARS AGO; I was 47. Motivated by a desire to get to the root of things for myself as far as scripture was concerned, I signed up for New Testament Greek. I was disappointed when I didn't do well since I had done well with languages, both Latin and French, as a child in secondary school. Nevertheless, I value my smattering of learning on the subject and have retained my copy of The Greek New Testament (4th Ed., Aland, et al. eds.), occasionally turning to it to see just what form of a word is used -- or how it looks. In sermon preparation I often use Kittel's abridged one-volume Theological Dictionary of The New Testament (Bromley). Recently I was looking up 'redemption' and rediscovered the many shades of meaning that emanate from the root word (e.g., lyo, meaning to loose or destroy; but analyo, meaning to depart [not as in setting out for the first time but as in returning] also means to return; p. 543). Anyway, to respond to your survey, I really think that seminarians should be encouraged to take a year of Hebrew or NT Greek -- whether they ace it or not.

Gloria Payne-Carter
All Saints', Bayside, Queens, New York
Valley Stream, New York, USA
27 August 2004

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