Sweating the Small Stuff…
We’re often told “don’t sweat the small stuff.” There’s so much out ‘there’ to occupy our time and energy. Why get bogged down in details? Well, the last three years, for me, reveal the wisdom of doing just the opposite…sweating the small stuff.
There are actually quite a number of examples one could turn to that would prove small stuff can make or break us. Just ask an accountant, soldier, or engineer and you’ll get quite an ear full on the importance of details that most would like to simply rush through. Ministry is no different. With all that takes place in ministry, it is often assumed that certain things can be left for others while the big and exciting work receives the bulk of our time, attention, and energy. This, however, can become a crippling mistake.
Since my early days in seminary, I have enjoyed historical and systematic theology, apologetics, and leadership philosophy. Now, as a Pastor, I can see the real benefit of such study and discussion. I have found that a theological grid (Biblically informed of course) is not only helpful in pastoral ministry, it is absolutely necessary. For years, I thought that as long as I stayed sharp theologically, loved the people I served, and glorified my Savior then I was doing fine. I was wrong.
My frustration with others in ministry who ignored theology while they focused upon pragmatics was now turned on myself for different reasons. I assumed a foundation to my theological studies and had no way of actually testing the foundation. My love for the Word of God was short-sighted in my fascination with systematic theology. One’s theology is only as good as it’s understanding of Scripture. The only verification I could do in this area involved the English text. So much of theology, however, depends heavily upon the Hebrew and Greek texts of Scripture. This is where I stopped and assumed the reliability of my favorite theologians.
As a Pastor, that is not good enough. I have a responsibility to my Savior and to my congregation to know the Word of God. I must study, work through, and wrestle with Scripture to know ‘IT’ and not just pick up the latest book or my favorite theologian of the past and discover what they say about the text. My faithfulness required language study.
I met the minimum of one year in Greek and Hebrew when I completed my Master of Divinity in 2000. To go back and engage the languages after so much time had passed was more than a little intimidating. But it had to be done. I have now spent three years focused on language study and am grateful for it. I still have a long way to go (my journey will actually continue throughout life) but thankfully I’ve seen progress.
The following are a few thoughts regarding the ‘small stuff’ of Greek and Hebrew studies:
• When compared to most other disciplines, language study is the most intimidating because it requires a tremendous amount of effort and dedication. It also takes more time to see proficiency. There is no quick payoff. This is unpopular within our culture and unfortunately within the church.
• I’m convinced that biblical theology feeds systematic theology which then feeds apologetics, ethics, and pastoral counsel. What must be acknowledged however is that an understanding of Greek and Hebrew makes biblical theology possible. Without Greek and Hebrew all that we do as pastors is built upon assumptions as we trust that ‘others’ have done our work for us. But what happens if the ‘others’ have not? For many, we work knowing nothing of real value about the foundation of all that we do and teach. We simply quote theologians, commentators, or the work of translators.
• The English text is a blessing. I’m so thankful that we have Scripture in our language. But even a limited understanding of the translation process reveals the importance of knowing the original language of a text. What is sufficient for believers in general should only be the starting point for those charged with the responsibility of teaching and preaching the Word of God.
• One must be patient and determined in the first five years of biblical language study (these are dead, unspoken languages). I have faced many days of frustration and have often considered throwing in the proverbial towel, but have had to give myself permission to make painfully slow progress. In that, I’ve also needed the reminder that ultimately I’m doing this to glorify Christ, know His Word, and help others. It’s not for a particular grade (though grades do play a role).
• There’s so much to be appreciated within the Greek and Hebrew texts of Scripture. Not only are you able to make important decisions regarding the particular reading of a passage, but you’re able to walk away with a greater theological confidence having explored the text behind our English Bibles.
• In my opinion, the study of the biblical languages is truly the Queen discipline in ministerial studies. It should receive greater attention by our seminaries to the point that every ministerial degree ought to require at least three years of language study. At that point, the student has the tools to continue personally if further study is not possible.
So, has the study of languages changed my theology? Yes and no. It’s given me greater confidence in my theological convictions regarding the essentials. But it has affected my perspective on a number matters regarding the Christian life, the church, etc. It’s also caused me to be less dogmatic in some secondary areas now that I know more about numerous exegetical dilemmas one faces in the close study of God’s Word. It’s also caused me to ask more questions of those I hear, read, and with whom I interact.
I am certainly better off now having sweated the small stuff of Greek and Hebrew. I can only imagine how much more I will be blessed in the next ten to twenty years. All that I do in ministry depends upon my dedication to stick with the details of Greek and Hebrew. By God’s grace I hope to be found faithful!