Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Brief Note about Knowing Greek

You know Greek? Tell the truth.


Mequon graduates like to brow-beat members by saying, "This is true, because I know Greek and you don't."

LI exclaimed, "They don't know Greek!"

Luther made fun of preachers who need to show off, talking about matters the congregation cannot verify.

I received a PowerPoint slide show from a university staffer. It had 50 slides, far too many words, an enormous list of resources, and some of the funniest typos I have ever seen. I thought, "This has to be a doctoral candidate in education." I searched for the credits and there it was, "Robert Fizzlewick, doctoral candidate, education."

The Mequon gambit is a logical fallacy - an appeal to authority. The appeal is not even honest in its dishonesty.

More importantly, the argument is an attack on the perspicuity (clarity) of Scripture. The "I know Greek" (sic) claim declares that the true meaning of the Word is known only to Sausage Factory graduates. Therefore, God speaks to the Wisconsin priesthood, and they communicate--like the priestess at Delphi--with the masses.

The Reformation demolished this attack on the Word of God, only to have the mini-popes revive it. If someone tries it again, laugh.