Posted on 12/28/2009 2:16:41 PM PST by Patrick Madrid
On my "Open Line" radio show last week (Thursdays from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. ET), I took a call from Ryan in Baton Rouge. He asked for some advice on resources for studying Scripture in a systematic way. Here's what I told him. Take a listen . . .
(Excerpt) Read more at patrickmadrid.blogspot.com ...
With all due respect to everyone involved go to your local college which teaches Koine, and learn to read the New Testament in its original (or near original) language. You will better understand the text as received translated into English.
With this motivation, then study Ancient Hebrew.
Good luck in your journey.
I wish we all had time to study Koine and Hebrew and Aramaic.
In the meantime I would recommend people buy the RSV2CE (especially the Ignatius Study Bible New Testament coming out in May), the RSV2CE Concordance (Emmaus Road Press), and a copy of Dom Orchard’s Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture (IIRC). Fuller’s (?) later edition is good too.
That’s a good start.
I had no idea you were a FReeper, and that’s a shame.
I’ve been thinking on doing that myself, particularly the Hebrew part. I don’t know why, I just know I would love to learn Hebrew. My question is, if all I’m planning on doing is reading Scriptures, can I learn it on-line? I mean, do I need to be able to pronounce it? I’ve found a few good sources for modern Hebrew, would it help any or would I be wasting my time? Thanks
Sure, Tom Paine, I’m with you on the importance of learning the biblical languages, but very few people today have the time, temperament, and aptitude for that.
So, with all due respect, your comment doesn’t really address the vast majority of people who want to more deeply study and understand God’s written word. That’s why I recommended those Scripture-study resources in the first place.
I guess I’m a confused Bible student.
The Bible is in English. Strong’s has both Hebrew and Greek in its concordance.
Libraries are filled with commentaries, and on difficult passages, it is easy to narrow down the contentious issues (like Revelation 17).
There is NO NEED to learn either Greek or Hebrew.
I agree. For the great majority of folks, there’s no need to learn the biblical languages, in part due to the reasons you mentioned. It’s important for some people to be competent in those languages, but not most people.At least that’s my opinion.
My crazy son (not to be confused with the ones who are just “original”) decided we had to learn Greek when he was 4. We’re in Book 4 of “Hey Andrew, Teach Me Some Greek!” now. (He’s just turned 8.) It’s been good for his English grammar and vocabulary, as well as allowing him to comment on fraternity signs when we visit a university.
On topic, I like the Navarre Bible Commentaries and the Bible studies published by “The Word Among Us.”
I had been thinking on using the Jerusalem Post’s Learn Hebrew on-line service. It would be a stepping stone towards learning ancient Hebrew. And, yes, Patrick Madrid and Salvavida, I’m well aware that you do not have to learn Hebrew or Greek to study the Scriptures, but I would dearly love to do so!
I had a Franciscan priest who was a spiritual director tell me that the starting point for scripture, for an adult Catholic anyway, was to read the Gospel of John. Then read it again. And again and again and again. When you have read it a lot, move on to John’s Letters.
After that, I don’t know, because he moved away and I got sidetracked. I’m thinking maybe it was Genesis next.
But reading the Gospel of John enough to become really familiar with it can’t be a bad thing, anyway.
Sometimes you just end up seeing the perfect posting at the best time. Thank you for posting this.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.