RE: [TruthTalk] Grammar & Worldview vs. The Spirit

[ShieldsFamily]

Jeff, for my two cents I believe knowing Hebrew and the Hebraic culture, etc., is a VERY good thing.  Not indispensable to faith in Christ, but a valuable asset indeed.  I simply don’t get into haggling about a lot of theological arguments that I consider nonessential, and therefore not worth dividing over.  Iz   From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jeff Powers Sent: Sunday, October 31, 2004 1:04 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] Grammar & Worldview vs. The Spirit     Well now, you say that Slade and I are not plain spoken, I disagree.  The fact that Slade and I use Hebrew is not the issue here! We always provide the english meanings.  THAT my dear lady IS becoming all things to all people!    The mere fact that we are more comfortable with Hebrew does not negate the message or our way of conveying it. In fact, the way I see it, by using the Hebrew (along with english translations) is a way of educating people.  That is not a Greek versus Hebrew mindset issue.   The issue is that few westerners know or understand the Semitic way of thought.  If they did many people would see scripture in a whole new light.     The language one reads scripture in is up to the readers ability to read fluently in any language. However, without some background in the culture in which scripture came about, most people miss the beauty, the humor, the very life of scripture.  Sure many can and are saved without this background information, but they all remain Babies in the Lord. What many think of as meat is in reality pablum.  That is barely one small step up from milk. But you haven't graduated to meat yet!  Not a problem, in the world to come, you will all be consuming meat. And WE will all be begging each others forgiveness over issues that we fail to understand today.       In some respects I sense a bit of hostility over scholarship (education) from some people.  This is a tragedy! Something that many of you will fail to understand, in the semitic mindset/worldview, etc.  study is one of the highest forms of worship. Paul told Timothy to "Study to show yourself approved...".   But what did Timothy have to study? It wasn't the Newer Testament. Nor was Paul telling him to study Plato or Socrates, etc.  It was the Older Testament along with the teaching of his Rabbi.   What did his Rabbi teach?  Torah in the plain language of the day.  Using exegetical and hermeunetical methods that made the teaching fuller, easier to understand.  It seems to me that preachers today still attempt to use these methods!       You say that Paul had a better education "after the flesh..." than anyone.  Well, Paul studied at the feet of Gamaliel, I am sure that his studies were not after the flesh as you have misconstrued the meaning of this passage.  Jeff   ----- Original Message ----- From: Judy Taylor To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, October 31, 2004 8:23 Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] Grammar & Worldview vs. The Spirit You are not 'plain spoken' Slade. You and Jeff use a lot of foreign words, either Hebrew or Yiddish. What happened to becoming all things to all men that you might win some. At least this is what Paul did and he probably had a better education (after the flesh and this is what he calls it) than anyone.