IT'S ALL GREEK TO ME

My companions and I arrived in Chiang Mai via Bangkok late in the evening of Saturday.  That was just 3 days ago but here I am again, feeling like I've been here too long already.  I have eaten Pad Thai for two consecutive lunches, like the addict that  I am, but at lunch today, a friend told me to try something else and she ordered three kinds of dishes that were all hot and spicy and 'interesting' that now, I had to make trips to the throne room so frequently. I think this was caused by the dish that has something darkish and kind of fishy (in the literal sense of the word).  When I asked what it was, I was told it's a seaweed.  Back home, I only eat "ar-arosip" and agar-agar, so maybe it was the weeds unfamiliarity with my stomach that has brought about the churning of my insides.

So I'm here, trying to learn more about Greek.  Our teacher seems to know what she's talking about but she's kind of the type that assumes that when she explains, all the students must have understood, and when you start to ask a question, she begins explaining without first listening fully to what you have to say.  It's kind of off-putting, a teacher being like that.  Today, one of my classmates had to say, "You are not listening to me, please let me finish!" Lol, the air was tense there, for a second.

Now I should be memorizing a Present Aorist Active or something paradigm for the quiz tomorrow. But I kind of know that when I get back home, I'll forget it again.  I should probably make a pledge first that I won't stop refreshing my memory before I even start.  It is indeed great to see how the teacher can come up with a more sound and valid exegesis by looking at the grammatical compositions of passages.  It seems that God, in inspiring the Biblical authors have embedded the correct interpretations of His Words in the very grammar and discourse features of the language.  Languages have rules that are mostly definite and absolute, and so is the truth about God.  So it pays to study the original languages.  One gets more insight on the thoughts behind the words.

I was told the best way to learn and retain is to teach.  So who wants to learn Greek? I'll teach you the little I know.  Hehe!  That way, I'd be able to absorb it.  The thing with this is that the expression, "it's all Greek to me" will be rendered meaningless.  Well, you can always change it to German or something. :)

Comments

movel velasco said…
Oh yeah, balik ka ng ABAKADA and as we are told that Greek words though not a heavenly one is so rich in its own use of grammar. A single word can even change an interpretation if not being noticed carefully. Minsan Sis, I was invited to teach about the grace of God. One of the verse they brought out to be discussed e yun paborito nila na verse sa Hebreo 10:31. "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." There were 52 participants from their different outreaches (stations or daughter churches yata). I asked them what they understand or how they understood it? The 50 participants strongly stressed that "Nakakatakot mahulog mula sa kamay ng Diyos. Nakabutbuteng ti matnag manipud iti ima ti Dios a sibibiag." Yun dalawa, na professional opposed the majority by saying " If my understanding of the English languages is correct that is not what it means. Wala siyang sinabi na mula sa kamay ng Diyos kundi papunta sa kamay ng Diyos!" I let them to focus at the word "into" which I try what I've learned in Greek that the word "eis" was never translated as "from" That the KJV, NKJV, NIV,ASV, NASV rightly translated as " into". I asked them to read for themselves from any Tagalog or Ilocano available version they have how it was translated. They found out that there were not even one translated as "mula, naggapu" but all used " sa & iti" Some of their "reverends" try to explain but the word is so strong to be manipulated!
Sige nga sis, pag uwi mo, conduct ka ng ng subject sa Greek 101 aral kami ha?
9:42 AM
Margie Lumawan said…
Sige ba kuya! Just organize it, and I'd be willing to teach your Pastors. Umpisa tayo sa Basic Greek. :)
3:39 PM
bob arsenio said…
I admire your classmate who had the guts to say that to your teacher. Is your teacher Asian? I think ok lang kung Western, that is "normal" siguro:). Teachers should not always assume that their sutdents are all smart enough to understand what is being taught. You know what, that will help the leaders if you teach what you have learned, in return just like what you have said, it will be retained and at the same time invested and reinvested. You are very good in language language kaya dapat lang:). Makakatulong sa ating mga leaders diyan lalo na at malimit na gamitin ang NT.

I think pastor M will be good in organizing it....makakasama na mga ibang Kalanguya leaders natin sa bundok and language will not be a barrier kasi magaling ka naman, mag-Tagalog, Ilocano and foremost, Kalanguya. Parang nakikinikinita ko na yung result. GO GO GO! Will be happy to hear kung ano ang development.
2:04 AM
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