The motives, intentions, and purity of the heart often mark the difference between right and wrong in the study of God's Word. This is no different when mentioning the study and correct use of the Biblical languages. There has no doubt been much abuse in the realm of New Testament Greek and its public presentation to the body of Christ. Satan would jump at the opportunity to take something so precious such as Biblical Greek and present the temptation to a man who is studying it to become prideful, causing him to think he is something because he possesses some knowledge that others don't.
There is much need for clarification on the topic, and that is what I intend to do here. There are two dangerous extremes which exist. First, the Greek language has been abused in the pulpit, particularly in some of what are commonly called "reformed churches", though not in all of them. Bold declarations such as these often sound forth from the pulpit: "In the Greek it says", "The English translators got it wrong here", etc. The listeners can be made to feel as though they are second class Christians. They may be left doubting their English Bible, or feeling that they cannot trust it as a result of the pastor/preacher misusing the Greek New Testament. The people in a way feel stripped of their own individual priesthood as the seminary graduate appears to be the only one with an inside view of the Bible, due to his knowledge of the original language. This sounds like Papery, and in a way it is. This is indeed a tragedy.
There is much need for clarification on the topic, and that is what I intend to do here. There are two dangerous extremes which exist. First, the Greek language has been abused in the pulpit, particularly in some of what are commonly called "reformed churches", though not in all of them. Bold declarations such as these often sound forth from the pulpit: "In the Greek it says", "The English translators got it wrong here", etc. The listeners can be made to feel as though they are second class Christians. They may be left doubting their English Bible, or feeling that they cannot trust it as a result of the pastor/preacher misusing the Greek New Testament. The people in a way feel stripped of their own individual priesthood as the seminary graduate appears to be the only one with an inside view of the Bible, due to his knowledge of the original language. This sounds like Papery, and in a way it is. This is indeed a tragedy.
Second, on the other side lies an equally great problem and tragedy; the famous "knee-jerk-overreaction". This position says basically that, because of the first group, we should stay away from and discourage the study of the biblical languages in our congregations, for, they only puff-up and don't build up the one studying, but instead cause doubt and harm in the listeners. This view tends to cringe and wince when someone in the church mentions the word "Greek". This view will often be quick to label the one studying or using it as prideful and arrogant. The person who studies the Greek language is quickly lumped into the category of group one, previously mentioned, simply because they are studying it and using it. I would venture to say that both of these two situations, group one and two, are very common and both are dangerous and harmful extremes.
Correct balance and pure motive is the issue again, not the languages themselves or the study of them. The second group says that the first is wrong, and as a result we must stay away from the languages altogether and discourage their study within our churches. The reality is that both positions are wrong and dangerous, and, we need to go back to the middle, where there are no extremes. To the second position we would say, "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater, don't be so quick to over-react, don't be so quick to judge". The language of the New Testament is good, profitable, and needed, but it must be studied and used with a pure and humble heart.
Let me leave you with three articles written by Bill Mounce whom I highly recommend on the topic. There is great balance and humility presented in them all. Read them in order.
How do you use Greek in the pulpit?
The Biblical Languages in Life and Ministry
Biblical Languages as a Spiritual Discipline
Preaching & the Biblical Languages (Spurgeon)
Correct balance and pure motive is the issue again, not the languages themselves or the study of them. The second group says that the first is wrong, and as a result we must stay away from the languages altogether and discourage their study within our churches. The reality is that both positions are wrong and dangerous, and, we need to go back to the middle, where there are no extremes. To the second position we would say, "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater, don't be so quick to over-react, don't be so quick to judge". The language of the New Testament is good, profitable, and needed, but it must be studied and used with a pure and humble heart.
Let me leave you with three articles written by Bill Mounce whom I highly recommend on the topic. There is great balance and humility presented in them all. Read them in order.
How do you use Greek in the pulpit?
The Biblical Languages in Life and Ministry
Biblical Languages as a Spiritual Discipline
Preaching & the Biblical Languages (Spurgeon)