Using New Testament Greek in Ministry: A Practical Guide for Students and Pastors

Rating:
Summary: A succinct discussion of the Greek exegetical task.
Review: Dr. Black provides helpful suggestions and guidance, most ofwhich could be found in other sources. He has brought many of thebest elements of other works into one volume. He reprimands the negligence of seminaries to equip ministers for the task of Greek exegesis. He explains the need for exegesis and provides some common sense tips for using Greek in ministry. However, I object to Dr. Black's comments regarding those who cannot work in the languages. He refers to pastors who lack skills in the Greek language as "average" in understanding (23). He characterizes these pastors as having to borrow their ideas from others in order to preach God's word, possibly passing on ignorance in God's name. Additionally, they are less "serious" about their preaching than their seminary-trained brethren. A more serious objection is that the author seems to casts spurious doubts upon the reliability of English translations. He says, "Not even the English translations. . .are completely trustworthy" (24). The tenor of his discussion leaves one with the impression that the average parishioner who does not know the languages cannot fully understand God's word. This is unfortunate. No pastor should ever leave the impression with his flock that their English Bibles are not completely trustworthy. While some translations are undoubtedly better than others are, no one sitting in the pew should ever think that the only person able to accurately understand the Bible is the pastor. This comes dangerously close to sacerdotalism. An important role of the pulpit ministry is to demonstrate the veracity of the vernacular Bible, not just the Greek New Testament. The people need to know that God speaks to them through their English Bibles. Chapter Three and Four are the "meat and potatoes" of the book. Dr. Black briefly sketches a road map for complete exegesis of a text. Much of the information is discussed more thoroughly in other works like Fee and Stewart's "How to Study the Bible for All its Worth." The greatest strength of the book is the application of the exegetical process to a passage of scripture in Chapter Four. The author takes a passage step-by-step through the process outlined in the previous chapter and reaches its conclusion with a homiletical outline. Dr. Black provides a succinct discussion of the exegetical task for the preaching minister. He provides no new information, but brings together in one place all the tools necessary for the task.

Rating:
Summary: A succinct discussion of the Greek exegetical task.
Review: Dr. Black provides helpful suggestions and guidance, most ofwhich could be found in other sources. He has brought many of thebest elements of other works into one volume. He reprimands the negligence of seminaries to equip ministers for the task of Greek exegesis. He explains the need for exegesis and provides some common sense tips for using Greek in ministry. However, I object to Dr. Black's comments regarding those who cannot work in the languages. He refers to pastors who lack skills in the Greek language as "average" in understanding (23). He characterizes these pastors as having to borrow their ideas from others in order to preach God's word, possibly passing on ignorance in God's name. Additionally, they are less "serious" about their preaching than their seminary-trained brethren. A more serious objection is that the author seems to casts spurious doubts upon the reliability of English translations. He says, "Not even the English translations. . .are completely trustworthy" (24). The tenor of his discussion leaves one with the impression that the average parishioner who does not know the languages cannot fully understand God's word. This is unfortunate. No pastor should ever leave the impression with his flock that their English Bibles are not completely trustworthy. While some translations are undoubtedly better than others are, no one sitting in the pew should ever think that the only person able to accurately understand the Bible is the pastor. This comes dangerously close to sacerdotalism. An important role of the pulpit ministry is to demonstrate the veracity of the vernacular Bible, not just the Greek New Testament. The people need to know that God speaks to them through their English Bibles. Chapter Three and Four are the "meat and potatoes" of the book. Dr. Black briefly sketches a road map for complete exegesis of a text. Much of the information is discussed more thoroughly in other works like Fee and Stewart's "How to Study the Bible for All its Worth." The greatest strength of the book is the application of the exegetical process to a passage of scripture in Chapter Four. The author takes a passage step-by-step through the process outlined in the previous chapter and reaches its conclusion with a homiletical outline. Dr. Black provides a succinct discussion of the exegetical task for the preaching minister. He provides no new information, but brings together in one place all the tools necessary for the task.