[quote:772b0baed6][i:772b0baed6]Originally posted by rembrandt[/i:772b0baed6]
What if I'm not going to spend [i:772b0baed6]tons[/i:772b0baed6] of time exegeting the Hebrew text? I mean, for the pastor and teacher to preach or teach from the OT, I can see where it would be essential. But, what if I don't plan on teaching from the OT at all?[/quote:772b0baed6]

Paul,

Please take this in the pastoral spirit that it is intended. If that is your purpose and intent, you have non business in the ministry. If you made that statement (which I have a hunch was for effect rather than reality) in my examination committee, you would never see the floor of presbytery, regardless of your other gifts or skills.

The OT is absolutely necessary, and Hebrew is necessary to preach from the OT. You cannot even properly understand the NT without it. How would you preach on Romans 4? 1 Timothy 3:16 ? Hebrews? 1 Peter 2:9ff ?

The minister must be a minister of the WORD first and last of all. Perhaps the single greatest lack in ministers that causes bad teaching is an inability to interact with the text.

__________________
Fred Greco
Senior Pastor, Christ Church PCA (Katy, TX)
Christ Church Blog

"The heart is the main thing in true religion...It is the hinge and turning-point in the condition of man's soul. If the heart is alive to God and quickened by the Spirit, the man is a living Christian. If the heart is dead and has not the Spirit, the man is dead before God." (J.C. Ryle)