Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Peter Kirby · 12-13-2006, 09:43 AM

I look forward to your answers.

--
Peter Kirby

Julian · 12-13-2006, 09:57 AM

Absolutely essential, in my opinion. Many (most?) papers on the various related biblical topics in journals quote original languages without translating them. Besides, you get a much better feel for the text when it is not translated. And, finally, it is not that hard to learn Greek or Latin to a level where they are useful. To be an expert, yes, that takes time but that is hardly necessary, unless you want to discuss anything with Jeffrey, that is.

Oh yeah, and how would you ever do anything in the field of textual criticism without the original languages?

Julian

Diogenes the Cynic · 12-13-2006, 10:01 AM

I think if you really want to get serious, you have to know the languages. I feel like I never read the Gospels until I read them in Greek.

Malachi151 · 12-13-2006, 10:02 AM

I vote helpful but not critical. This has to be qualified of course. Obviously if NO ONE had these language skill then that would be a problem, so language skills are critical at base, but one can certainly use translations done by others and get quite a far ways. Obviously, the farther you go in the field the more helpful it is, but even if you come across a rare find of an untranslated text, at worst you can just take it to others and have them translate it. Worst case scenario, you have to take it to 3 or 4 and form a consensus opinion.

S.C.Carlson · 12-13-2006, 10:16 AM

Absolutely vital. I'd also add German to the list.

Ben C Smith · 12-13-2006, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S.C.Carlson

I'd also add German to the list.

Dang.

Ben.

gstafleu · 12-13-2006, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S.C.Carlson

Absolutely vital. I'd also add German to the list.

Ja, bestimmt

. Then of course we have Dutch radical criticism... As for the classicals, essential if you want to gain new insights, I suspect. If you just want to follow what others did, you can probably get by without it. But kata sarka/kata pneuma without Greek? I shudder to think.

BTW, I notice nobody mentioned Hebrew...

Gerard Stafleu

Julian · 12-13-2006, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S.C.Carlson

Absolutely vital. I'd also add German to the list.

I was going to list that but didn't since I am not sure I would describe it as 'classical.'

Seriously, German is extremely useful since many articles and books on biblical studies are written in that language. I had to take German for years and I hated it, now I am really glad that I can read it.

Julian

Julian · 12-13-2006, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gstafleu

BTW, I notice nobody mentioned Hebrew...

Again, not really a classical language, however, essential if you want to study the OT.

Julian

S.C.Carlson · 12-13-2006, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gstafleu

BTW, I notice nobody mentioned Hebrew...

It's in the title of the poll, but, yes, it is worth repeating.

Stephen

View Poll Results: How much does the knowledge of Greek/Latin/Hebrew/etc. help serious study?
Language knowledge is critical.	14	66.67%
Language knowledge is helpful, but not critical.	7	33.33%
Language knowledge doesn't really help.	0	0%
Voters: 21. You may not vote on this poll

12-13-2006, 09:43 AM	#1
Peter Kirby Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: the reliquary of Ockham's razor Posts: 4,035	How necessary are the classical languages to BC&H study? I look forward to your answers. -- Peter Kirby

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12-13-2006, 09:57 AM	#2
Julian Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Washington, DC (formerly Denmark) Posts: 3,789	Absolutely essential, in my opinion. Many (most?) papers on the various related biblical topics in journals quote original languages without translating them. Besides, you get a much better feel for the text when it is not translated. And, finally, it is not that hard to learn Greek or Latin to a level where they are useful. To be an expert, yes, that takes time but that is hardly necessary, unless you want to discuss anything with Jeffrey, that is. Oh yeah, and how would you ever do anything in the field of textual criticism without the original languages? Julian

12-13-2006, 10:01 AM	#3
Diogenes the Cynic Moderator - Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota Posts: 4,639	I think if you really want to get serious, you have to know the languages. I feel like I never read the Gospels until I read them in Greek.

12-13-2006, 10:02 AM	#4
Malachi151 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 8,674	I vote helpful but not critical. This has to be qualified of course. Obviously if NO ONE had these language skill then that would be a problem, so language skills are critical at base, but one can certainly use translations done by others and get quite a far ways. Obviously, the farther you go in the field the more helpful it is, but even if you come across a rare find of an untranslated text, at worst you can just take it to others and have them translate it. Worst case scenario, you have to take it to 3 or 4 and form a consensus opinion.

12-13-2006, 10:16 AM	#5
S.C.Carlson Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: USA Posts: 1,307	Absolutely vital. I'd also add German to the list.

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