Preachers, Students, and the Biblical Languages

This remark that I posted on Facebook generated a lot of discussion.

I am concerned that we are raising a generation of preachers and teachers who neither know the biblical languages nor want to put the hard work into learning them well.

What do you think?

I included below the comments I received:

Sat 9:34pm · Comment · Like

Mike Seabaugh at 9:36pm April 11
I share your concern.

John Poff at 9:42pm April 11
Yeah, Tomlinson is too, a few of do still care, thanks for setting the example and asking us to take up the torch.

Joseph E Early at 9:42pm April 11
You have a good reason to be concerned. I have had a terrible time trying to get majors to take the languages.

Joni Hannigan at 9:47pm April 11
As a former English teacher, I can assure you, it's not just biblical languages people don't particularly care to learn well. I have been told that without a good grasp of the English language, students have a much more difficult time learning biblical languages. That's one of the reasons we taught sentence diagramming for students at MBTS in the basic grammar course when I was an adjunct there. Best as you look for solutions!

Terry L. Wilder at 9:55pm April 11
We're suffering for it now, and I hate to be a prophet of doom and gloom, but it's only going to get worse - unless there's a turnaround. What's not good is that so many preachers appear "successful" in their ministries w/o the languages that students don't see the need to take them or learn them well.

Terry L. Wilder at 10:02pm April 11
Joni, you're correct; students have a much more difficult time learning the biblical languages when they don't have a good grasp of English. When I teach Greek, I often have to teach English.

Joni Hannigan at 10:12pm April 11
I don't think you are a prophet of doom and gloom, but a good observer of reality. I think your pointing to the language issue is the tip of the iceberg in relation to the the superficiality we see in some of the measures of success in the church--which may seem impressive--but can be skin deep and superficial. I'm appalled at some who I've ... Read More

Terry L. Wilder at 10:25pm April 11
Yes, I need to write an article or book on this subject, and/or start preaching to preachers and theologians outside of my classes.

Win Corduan at 10:29pm April 11
You're right, of course, but you're only touching on one small subset, where it's so crucial, but the phenomenon is much, much broader. It includes other languages that should be necessary in other areas, and let's not even get started on math. Duh, come to think of it, that's the problem, you don't even have to get started on math in so many ... Read More

Terry L. Wilder at 10:45pm April 11
Hi Win. I hope you're doing well. You're right; it's a broad phenomenon, and one that will not be easily reversed.

Joni Hannigan at 10:57pm April 11
On your book or when you speak--please broaden your scope so that people who call preachers understand the import of what they should look for! In the past several years, and I think mostly because of my work with the Witness, I have grown more than ever to appreciate the input of learned laymen/women in the church who rightly divide the Word. If they understand why their pastors need to be more adequately prepared, it stands to reason they will require and support pastors in this effort.

Terry L. Wilder at 4:37pm April 12
This practice is already my custom when churches or search committees consult me, or whenever I serve as interim pastor.

Joni Hannigan at 11:12pm April 12
Great!

Win Corduan at 1:14am April 13
Now, here's my question: To what extent should the same--or at least a similar--standard be applied to us as we pass judgment on the content of the scriptures of other religions? If we are committed to the fact that the original languages are really, really important to understanding the teachings of the Bible, shouldn't we, as we attempt to do ... Read More

Terry L. Wilder at 6:43am April 13
You have a point. To get at the intention of the writer of "any" document it is always best to read the original.