Hebraic Musing – Do we view Our World through a Greek or a Hebrew mindset?
Did you know that your
thinking is more Greek than Hebrew? We
have been trained to see the world and the Bible from a Greek mindset! BUT, the Bible is written in a Hebrew
framework. This has nothing to do with
language or nationality! There are distinctive
differences in our thought processes:
Process Oriented:
Greek - Cognitive; Appealing to the intellect; Heavy
program emphasis; Emphasizes education
Hebrew - Active; Appeals to the heart; Emphasizes direct participation;
Emphasizes age & wisdom
Biblical Application:
Gr - Belief without cost to
self; Bible is data that must be taught
Heb - Doers of the Word; Bible is
reality that must be confronted
Ministry Activity:
Gr - Large impersonal groups:
Leader-directed, controlled
Heb - Small intimate groups; Leader as
facilitator
Fruit:
Gr - Mutual toleration;
Transparency discouraged
Heb - Love, acceptance, forgiveness;
Transparency encouraged
We in the U.S.
have been raised with a Greek mindset.
We are…
- Competitive – Winning; Focus on
accomplishments like Learning, Money, Status
- Dichotomy of opposed parts, chose
either, can’t integrate: Must be either Good or bad, Yes or no
The
Bible was Written
primarily in the Hebrew language, using Hebrew “idioms”, by Hebrews, in the
Hebrew way of thinking. The Bible’s
Hebrew “mind set” is all about behavior or doing, not understanding; Learning
or accomplishing; Just DOING! Life is
seen as walking (moving), Living out one’s faith, expressed as “Halakah”,
walking in faith; Hearing (Shema) isn’t just hearing, it is doing what was
heard; People participate as equals; Skills are learned by demonstration
and practice.
Biblical/Hebrew
Culture is based on FAMILY, with FATHER as leader! Metaphors for Abba & Kingdom.
In Greek thinking, the EDUCATED (teachers, doctors, lawyers, pastors) have a
special place, and generally are not challenged.
In the Hebrew Bible, leaders are chosen from among the common, then empowered
by Yehovah for service:
- David the shepherd boy became King
- Moses an escaped murderer became the
leader of Israel
- Fishermen became the leaders of the
believers
- Sha’ul (Paul) worked as a tent maker
while doing ministry
Torah – to aim at
the Mark. It is NOT the pass-fail, right-wrong,
good-bad of Greek thought.
The Greek concept of either “Law or Grace” began with the Greek
Septuagint translation of Old Testament, about 275 B.C. It was Ordered by Egyptian King Ptolemy
Philadelphus and used by Jews in Alexandria (Egypt). In the Septuagint, Torah (meaning teaching or
aiming at a target) was translated “nomos” meaning “law”. From there on it unfortunately has became a
dichotomy of either law or grace. Luther
took the church away from the unity of the Bible by making “law and grace” the
foundation of the protestant movement.
Torah became just history, less relevant or not relevant.
Hebrew
allows for many levels of interpretations with both literal and figurative
meanings:
- Outside of time constraints – Allowing
for past, present and future as we read it
- Often a figurative prophetic meaning(s)
- Four Hebraic ways of interpretation of
Scripture:
-
P’shat – the obvious, words mean what they say
-
Remez – hints at something deeper, even prophetic
-
Drash – a diligent search for meaning and practical application (could be
personal)
-
Sod – deep, hidden message that is buried in the text
Ministry method differences:
Greek: Large groups, Clergy over laity, Use of
5-fold ministry to justify un-Biblical role avoidance, Teaching by programs,
Audience not involved, as spectators, Meet in “Church”
Hebrew: Small groups, Peer facilitator,
Discussion, All participate, Share various gifts of Holy Spirit, Takes place in
any location, typically homes.
Meaning of SOUL?
Greek: The
immaterial part of a person – spirit; Deep feeling or emotion
Hebrew: “neh-fesh”; Body; Man, person; Mortality; Vitality
Understanding
SPIRIT
Greek: State
of emotions; Spirit being; Supernatural being; Life force
Hebrew: Mind; Courage;
Disposition; Seat of emotions; Seat of mental acts; Seat of moral character
Greek
misconceptions of Yehovah
- If HE loves us, how can he allow
bad things to happen?
- Why did HE instruct Moses and
Joshua to kill the natives living in Canaan?
- How can HE send people to hell?
Yehovah
is not Greek. HE is Hebrew and He is:
- Sovereign (can do as HE wants)
- Just (HE will not go against our free
will)
- HE will give us challenges to allow us
to grow
- Willingly forgives when we repent
CONCLUSION:
When we look at the Bible through
Hebrew eyes, it
will become more alive and we gain new understanding!
Points to ponder
Which
is more important? Our Greek view, or
the Bible’s Hebrew view?
Which
language would you like to study? Greek
or Hebrew?
Shalom,
Yosef a.k.a.
Joe Brusherd May 21, 2024
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages
exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”
Weekly “Hebraic Musings”
* Transcribed & edited from a .PPT
received from Johanna Shager Hocker, February 5, 2014
Here
are a few more Hebrew words, concepts & sayings to consider:
Unique
concepts of Hebrew
- Covenant – “Berith” in Hebrew, eternal
promise of love and provision between Yehovah & Israel.
- Sabbath – based on 6 days of creation,
then rest. Sets apart the people of
Israel and those adopted, grafted in.
- Circumcision – covenantal sign.
Names
in Hebrew perspective:
Child’s name can describe situation at birth; Child’s name could be based on
marital issues; Name is descriptive of the person; Expresses relationship with
Yehovah, with “yah” or “el” at the beginning or end of the name; New Names
given by Yeshua prophetically calling the person to a new level:
- Simon - Peter, from impulsive to
“rock”
- Abram - Abraham, from “high father” to
“father of a multitude”; Added “Hei”, the breath of God!
- Jacob – Israel, from “heel
catcher” to “he will rule as Elohim”
Hebrew
Idioms are
expressions whose meanings can not be inferred from the meanings of the words
that make it up: “Evil eye” – a
stingy person; “Good eye” – a generous person; “good & evil”
– all things, anything or nothing; “open the eyes” – receive new
knowledge; “apple of His eye” – ‘His very life’; “three days journey”
– a long distance; “Dan to Beersheva” – all of Israel.
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