The Abuse of Lexicons and Dictionaries
"Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?" - Eccl. 7:16
Christians today have been made to doubt the sufficiency of the English translation of the Bible that they regularly read and study. Therefore, in order to understand the meaning of any given text, the people delve into the Hebrew or Greek words being used with hope to find some answers. However, this complicates the issue by presenting to the reader a number of various definitions to choose from which slightly or significantly alter the meaning of the verse in question. While endeavoring to understand the English, the untrained Christians become overly occupied with trying to understand the Hebrew or Greek words being used in conjunction with any rules of translation that are relevant (seeing that learned men and scholars often cannot agree amongst themselves!). This quest for truth is taxing and it yields little fruit! It perpetuates questions like a deepening abyss of uncertainty.
Nevertheless, a much easier path is available! One that doesn't include a hasty submersion of the mind into Hebrew and Greek, as this can cause men to lose sight of what is known or can be certainly determined by the English that is provided. Just read the English, memorize it, and live it! Only then will you be able to discern what advantages are to be gained through understanding the original languages. On the contrary, many overly righteous Christians of the 21st century aspire to shoulder the burden of a scholar because they feverishly idolize intelligence (Eccl. 7:16). This is a different path. The whole process defers the hope of earnest new believers who are hungry for the truth, and over time, it produces doubt in them on whether they will ever come to understand what is certainly meant by any Scripture in question! Instead, they should be basking in the light of a sufficient translation of the Bible in English with childlike faith and sincerity.
Nevertheless, a much easier path is available! One that doesn't include a hasty submersion of the mind into Hebrew and Greek, as this can cause men to lose sight of what is known or can be certainly determined by the English that is provided. Just read the English, memorize it, and live it! Only then will you be able to discern what advantages are to be gained through understanding the original languages. On the contrary, many overly righteous Christians of the 21st century aspire to shoulder the burden of a scholar because they feverishly idolize intelligence (Eccl. 7:16). This is a different path. The whole process defers the hope of earnest new believers who are hungry for the truth, and over time, it produces doubt in them on whether they will ever come to understand what is certainly meant by any Scripture in question! Instead, they should be basking in the light of a sufficient translation of the Bible in English with childlike faith and sincerity.
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