Mini thread: Why is it still 'all Greek' to Christians?

Watched a great @biblingoapp webinar yesterday where Kevin made a keen observation:

If you look at the Abrahamic faiths, Christianity is in a bit of an odd position vis-à-vis the original languages of its holy Scriptures.

Greek and Hebrew (let alone Aramaic) are usually regarded as having a certain mystique, and those privileged few with knowledge of them are seen as a kind of intellectual elite.

The study of the original languages is viewed as being almost exclusive to pastors and professors.

Compare this to the other two Abrahamic faiths.

If you are a serious observant Jew, it goes without saying that you are going to come into contact with Hebrew in the synagogue, the Yeshiva, etc.

Initiation into Jewish life (bar mitzvah) involves reading the Torah in Hebrew.

If you are a Muslim, regardless of ethnicity or native language, you will being strongly encouraged to recite the Qur'an in its authoritative format––in the original Arabic. Many Muslims even go to the trouble of memorising the entire Qur'an, often without fluency in Arabic.

What about our own faith? While we hold that the Word of God is 'living and active' even in translation, surely we would do better to advance the study of the original languages––not just in a seminary context, but in ordinary Christian life. Instead we almost hide them from view

I'm reminded of the great scene from the classic movie 'My Fair Lady' in which the curmudgeonly Professor Higgins (a marvelous linguist and phonetician) upbraids his own countrymen for failing to teach their children proper English.

As a linguist, I might take issue with Higgins' methodology (especially his view of dialects) and philosophy of language.

(I note, however, with some pride that the late great phonetician Peter Ladefoged, professor at my alma mater @UCLA, was a consultant for this film.)

The illustration, however, seems quite illuminating as I hear him belt out: 'Norwegians learn Norwegian; the Greeks have taught their Greek!'

Well if Jews can learn their Hebrew and Muslims can learn their Arabic, then I daresay that more Christians should learn their Greek!