6984	Forums / Theology Forum / Re: why study Hebrew or any original language for that matter?	on: November 15, 2007, 09:36:12 AM
Its important to have an understanding of the language. Especially, if you are teaching in a particular text. But just like any kind of teaching , the word studies are not fool proof.   Not only is the word study necessary, but the context , historical back ground and the overall usage of the word in light of the whole counsel of God (or the entire biblical account.) Historically as a result of the Reformation the theologians did the exegetical work in detail and over the yrs refined the process, because that was a 40 hr a week job for them as well as a devotion.  They took these propositions and produced a balanced view into standards, or putting fences around what was revealed and what was a mystery. Then they put these standards in a confessional type of document. Instead of preaching through the bible or the nt, they would preach through the standards of the confession from the text of the scripture. In this way the word study would not become an avenue by which they would create their own doctrine by going outside the scriptural usage of a proposition in the balance of the near context and far context. They wanted the average church member to have the whole counsel in a teachable form, with taking into account the exegetical genuineness into that confession. So we have these different confessions that promote what is an acceptable doctrine and what is heresy. The logic is that if you find a problem in the text or you promote a false teaching from the scripture then it will be evident from the confession because it is the next line of protection revealing the false teaching. It is absolutely essential that one understands the confession.  Understanding the confession keeps you from deception.  They would also get the practicality of the doctrine as it applies to the Christian from the Psalms. In fact most churches used the Psalter as their Hymnal. So even tho there are a lot of disagreements about how to conduct this regulated worship, these Reformers had a much more profound knowledge of the doctrines by the wisdom books. These confessional documents, the Westminster standards or the 1689 Baptist standards are a result of not only the professional exegeses, but a high view of worship in the practical application of Calvinism in the Psalter.