University offers minor in Biblical languages
FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, November 2, 2005
Huntington, Ind. "The Bible & Religion Department of Huntington University now offers a minor in Biblical languages, approved at a faculty meeting Wednesday. The new minor underscores the necessity of learning the original Biblical languages for all ministry. This is not just for scholars and teachers. The Bible was originally written in Greek and Hebrew. The meaning of a message is lost in a translation, which is often incapable of expressing accurately the thoughts of the original. The first task of ministry is to communicate God's word. This is done more effectively through an understanding of Greek and Hebrew, said Dr. Mark Fairchild, chairman and professor of the Bible & Religion Department.
Dr. Chaney Bergdall
The university currently offers 16 credits of Greek and frequently offers six credits of Hebrew. With the approval of the 22-credit minor, courses in Hebrew now will be offered biannually.
Students have been asking for additional instruction in the Biblical languages. Recently several students have been asking for additional work in Greek through independent studies. Hebrew was infrequently offered in the past, but now is a regular offering due to student interest. The minor will accent the work that students have put into this area, Fairchild said.
Current faculty will staff the new program. Fairchild teaches Greek, and Dr. Chaney Bergdall, professor of Bible & Religion, teaches Hebrew. The minor is effective this semester and can be pursued by students in any major, not just those in the Bible & Religion Department.
