And then there is me! Who does read and understand Greek, and I can follow Hebrew, with the help of a lexicon.
There is just so much to learn when you read the Greek. I'm following "Daily Dose of Greek" by Rob Plummer. He goes through each verse in the NT, reads, it parses it, and then talks about what it means to us as Christians. This man is certainly led by the Spirit. He always gives little stories of people being led by the Spirit. For example, a man at his seminary, felt called by God to open a coffee house and minister to people. He called it "Sunergos" which means "fellow workers." (This from Philemon 24) He talked about this man's ministry and love of God. And how his Greek, even as a coffee shop owner was still important to him.
Greek sings the words of God to me! That's what I would call it. But, I do not think everyone needs to learn Greek or Hebrew. You need both a calling and a facility with languages. My husband has no clue why I continue to study these languages. He could not even learn the obligatory French in school. I think he dropped out. So, I GET IT, if you can't, won't or never considering learning Greek.
Because, no, we don't need it, to walk with God. We just need a good translation, and to read it, and to seek God on our knees, and to obey and serve him.
But, I come here and get this song and dance, which doesn't say, "Oh, you read Greek, not my thing!" Great, no problem! But instead, I get "No one needs Greek," as above. Or worse, "If you spend all your time reading the Bible in Greek and Hebrew, you must not be filled with the Holy Spirit!" Say what???!!
Since when are knowing the original languages and using them, and being filled with the Holy Spirit mutually exclusive??
In fact, it was the Holy Spirit who led me on this very personal and amazing journey of studying the Bible not just in the original languages, but in English, my heart language. It is the Holy Spirit that leads and guides me every day. It is the Holy Spirit who ministers to me when the pain gets bad. It is the Holy Spirit in my heart, who leads me to serve God and others.
There is such an anti-intellectual attitude here, and anti-biblical attitude in this forum, it astounds me, at times. Because, instead of realizing that some are called as "shepherds, teachers, etc" and that God instructs us ALL to study to show ourselves approved, and yet, studying and knowing the Bible, (whether self taught or in Bible school or seminary) is just looked upon as people who are not walking with God, WHEN IT IS THE EXACT OPPOSITE!
God called me twice to go to seminary. The first time I did not. It didn't fit in with my plans, my family, my career. Give me another 10 years, and that call again on my heart, the Holy Spirit leading me step by step, and I obeyed God.
Yes, the Holy Spirit is always leading and guiding us, for the purpose of service. NOT for a bunch of great feelings, meetings, or (false) revelations that are out of context, and really not from God. God leads us to study, and for some of us, that is not so we become apostate, but so that we know and serve God, in obedience, as he calls us.
" Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately." 2 Tim. 2:15 NET.
So, in context, this was to Timothy. Was Timothy apostate for studying, and teaching the Word correctly? Well, I think everyone would say "Timothy was told by God to do this!" And not only that, that Paul was commending him for doing it!
Yet, when God tells someone today to study the original languages, hermeneutics, suddenly, that means we are apostate?? Why, because some liberal professor walked away from God, or never knew God?
This forum is just so full of heresies, and so many issues of false doctrine, and yet, anyone who has studied to be approved is called "apostate" and that their studies have no validity? Because they have truly been called by God, and God has led them, to deep studies, and they are trying to share that truth? (Not talking just about myself, but the many people who have studied the Bible and make it a priority!) And, the final insult, that they are NOT lead by the Holy Spirit? Because they really study the Bible, instead of relying on youtube videos with liars, deceivers and false teachers?
I really can't believe there is such an abysmal level of ignorance to how to study the Word of God, and to live it. And you live it by knowing it, and following the lead of the Holy Spirit. All this jumping around in the aisles at meetings, craziness is NOT the Holy Spirit, but a lie from the devil!
I'm done! Need to walk away for a while.
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also will reject you from being priest for Me;
Because you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children." Hosea 4:6 NKJV