Thursday, 28 May 2009

• Reading the Original Bible: How to Learn Greek and Hebrew

  Through several years of diligence, rote memorization and late night tears of frustration, I managed to learn both biblical languages: ancient Greek and Hebrew.

  As I mentioned, learning to read the Bible in its original tongue takes tremendous discipline. Without the pressure of grades--I learned both languages for a degree program--I wouldn't have been able to stick it out through those endless sheets of verb tenses and odd-shaped alphabets. But now that I've done it, I've realized how amazing it is to read scripture as Paul and Luke and the Psalmists wrote it. Reading the actual Greek and Hebrew words draws out the richness of vocabulary, the intricacies of grammatical nuance, and the earnest realities behind complex verses.
  

  If you're interested in learning the biblical languages, here are three ways to do it:

  1. Teach yourself. This is obviously the most cost-effective method, but definitely the most difficult. You can order a used or new biblical Greek textbook online and go through the chapters on your own, following the grammatical lessons and inching your way towards full translations. One widely used textbook is William Mounce's Basics of Biblical Greek that has an accompanying workbook. I've used this textbook to teach others, and Mounce's pedagogy is direct, concise, and, for those who need to be reminded why they're putting themselves through such torture, each chapter starts with a devotion that fleshes out a theological point gleaned from Greek grammar. For Hebrew, I would recommend Biblical Hebrew by Wright, Hoffer and Kittel. Victoria Hoffer taught me Hebrew in grad school, and her book comes with a CD of fun ditties that help you learn forms (and cantellate!).

  The clear problem with teaching yourself is that it requires an enormous amount of self-discipline, especially when the work gets challenging. You also have the detriment of not having a teacher to walk you through new lessons and correct your work. But for those bursting with pure enthusiasm to learn the languages, self-teaching can be a satisfying and independent way to get your feet wet.

  2. Take a class at a nearby college or seminary. If you are lucky enough to live near a Bible college, divinity school or major university, you may be able to enroll in or simply audit a class in Greek or Hebrew. Here, you will have the advantage of learning from a well-educated scholar, as well as peers with whom you can share notes, study and get moral support.

  For the ultra-ambitious, if your local college doesn't offer Koine Greek (the later dialect in which the New Testament was written), you may be able to find a course in Attic Greek (the ancient dialect used by Socrates, Plato and most classical authors). Though undeniably more difficult, this "purer" form of ancient Greek will allow you to read a whole host of philosophical and fiction authors, and transitioning to the simpler Greek of the New Testament will be a breeze.

  3. Convince your church to offer a study group or class for those interested in learning the languages.

  It really befuddles me why more churches don't offer Greek or Hebrew classes to parishioners. With all the Sunday School classes megachurches provide, surely there have to be a few people in the congregation who are interested in biblical studies. Even if the pastor isn't terribly proficient in the languages--and that's a whole other issue!--an educated person in the parish could volunteer to either teach a class or guide a group in following a textbook together.

  Do you think it's worthwhile to learn Greek and Hebrew? Do you know either, or both? Do you think that pastors should be required to?

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