Greek 101 drop outs

Carl W. Conrad cwconrad at artsci.wustl.edu
Tue Nov 21 08:54:06 EST 2000


Forwarded:
>From: "Michael W.  Philliber" <cbaam at netdoor.com>
>Subject: Re: [b-greek] Re: Greek 101 drop outs
>Date: Tue, 21 Nov 2000 07:34:23 -0600
>X-Priority: 3
>X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
>X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.3110.3
>
>My turn to speak up.  I have just recently finished my seminary (Reformed
>Theol. Sem.-Jackson) and am delighted that I have taken Greek (& Hebrew).
>After spending 20 years in the military, I found that it was much easier to
>learn Greek than when I first was converted in 1981 (I took Greek 1 in 1983
>& couldn't find the fortitude to continue).  Part of it was the professors,
>but part of it was a deep desire on my part - I have prayed that God would
>help me to be prepared (mentally, emotionally & spiritually) to learn the
>Biblical languages, and then give me everything I need to get it.  I prayed
>that for about 10 years.  So when I went into my Greek & Hebrew classes I
>was pumped, overwhelmed with a rich sense of expectation.  It has been
>rough, & I know very little compared to many of you.  But I'm still reading
>through my Greek New Testament & my Hebrew almost daily (I probably spend a
>total of 1 1/2 hours per day on both subjects).  I feel like an idiot while
>I wrestle through the texts, but I keep pressing through & am grateful that
>I *had* to learn the languages for my MDiv.
>
>I would say that one of the barriers to learning the languages in our
>anti-intellectualist era is that it is held so loosely, many ministers, for
>example, once done with Seminary, trash, through non-use, what they have
>gained because (1) no one cares if they know Greek/Hebrew, & (2) it's so
>very difficult to keep it up & going.  But thank God that though I may never
>have the time, energy or resources to follow-up with a PhD, I still yearn &
>hunger to know the Scriptures in their original languages.
>
>Hope this encourages you Greek teachers out there that there are some old
>crusty dogs like myself who long to be taught & taught well.  May God bless
>your classes with great success.
>
>Michael W.  Philliber
>"God made the Son of His love to become the object of His wrath,
>that we who were the objects of His wrath might become the sons of His
>love."  Eric Alexander
>



More information about the B-Greek mailing list