Do I Need to Study Greek or Hebrew to Get a Master of Divinity?

[@frankhartmann3824]

Thank you so much for emphasizing the value of learning Greek and Hebrew in an M.Div curriculum and suggesting that if a prospective student sees it missing from a degree program to seriously question why they would want to pursue an M.Div at that institution. Not requiring the study of biblical languages as part of an M.Div is akin to not requiring organic chemistry classes at medical school. Not the real deal. All the more important to make sure the M.Div program is ATS accredited.

[@albertcastro409]

How can you find out if a school is credited?

[@dougmajor6992]

I respectfully disagree, we could just read the Bible in our language and it's the same love letter with the same meaning. Religion says we have to learn the original language, yet many scholars who were more proficient than any of us translated the Bible into our language. God created man, therefore God is the God of all language. I will stick with English and use a Strongs Concordance when I want to know a Greek or Hebrew literal meaning. I can learn so much more from studying the Bible which will produce a transformation in my life,. Think about how much more value you could be to yourself and others if you put as much time into the word of God and not the languages used to communicate that word. There is no 11th commandment thou shall be proficient in Greek and Hebrew to show your self approved. Christianity is about studying the life and teachings of Jesus, not what language He spoke and what the Bible was written in. Religion will be religious, I challenge everyone who takes Greek and Hebews to feel educated or well-studied to master the languages if they are vital for you to learn. You also need to add Aramaic to make sure you become a master translator. If you want to study it because you enjoy it, then great, but a lot of academics try to act like it's imperative to study these languages or your degree program is lacking..... Maybe they have become so religious and linguist masters that they missed the simplicity of the gospel, Furthermore, I'm willing to go out on a limb and say the professors of the languages miss the Great Commission of Jesus and don't win souls or win many souls, I will also say they haven't won ONE soul using Greek or Hebrew! This is religion vs relationship and the perfect picture to put the proper perspective of God vs man's thoughts and mind in place. An M.Div is about studying religion (Not being religious like the Sadducees and Pharisees) and theology. What is theology, a good definition is the study of the sayings and reasoning of God. know this will cause a lot of people who studied these languages to manifest, as they will hate hearing this, but that proves my point even more. Check your hearts if you think studying Greek and Hebrew is a must, then check God's. I'm not trying to come across as rude or disrespectful but I know my writing can be taken that way as I speak direct.