Because I noticed a tendency of RBT to talk as though he was the only person who knew Greek or the right interpretation of GW and of some Berachah folks to idolize him.
Not the only person who knew Greek and Hebrew.
He was only one of a few qualified to be able to.
While at Bible college, RB Thieme was recommended to me by a professor, Stan Ashby,.
He taught ancient languages at a Bible college.
Professor Ashby had been associated with Harvard during WWII.
I was praising some recorded messages I heard by Professor Ashby, and he kept telling me he got it from someone named Thieme.
At the time, I was not learning from RB Thieme.
And, if a pastor is doing an excellent job.
His congregation should love him!
And, some must hate. It goes with the territory.
I used to work for a world renown Chef. I worked the front of the house. His kitchen and staff consisted of a few students of a Bible college down the street. Some of them began giving me flak after learning I chose to follow Thieme's teachings.
The chef and I were discussing the situation during a quiet time in the kitchen.
I explained how Thieme has the skill to extract from the Greek and Hebrew meanings that too many translations avoid, or water down.
I then gave him an example of something Thieme translated from the OT.
What did the chef do? (he had created the menu for the Queen of England for the bicentennial celebration in Boston)..
He walked over to a shelf in his kitchen and pulled down a book. It was his Luther translation in German. He read it...
Guess what... He looked up that passage I gave him and read it as translated by Luther into German.
After pondering what Luther wrote, he then told me..
"Your pastor is right."
And, he added from his own observation that those who do not like Thieme were jealous of him.
He said he saw the same thing go on in his profession. And, he had worked with the very best.
And, to my amazement and joy. Thieme was the only teacher my Jewish father would listen to with respect.
Same parent that wanted me deprogrammed after learning I chose Christ.
So much for that.
Some win....and.... some lose.
It's all according to how we choose.
grace and peace!
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