Should pastors be required to know original Biblical languages?

A bishop then must be [able to] study in Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, to show himself approved as a pastor unto God...

Yes, thanks. I had completely overlooked that text!

 

Oh, yes.

 

Easy accusation.

 

No one is limiting anyone from reading more than just English. The point is to limit your adding to God’s word. It simply does not say what you want it to say.

 

There is no such thing as an infallible translation. Now the whole reason for textual criticism is to recover the original readings of textual copies where known variants are in evidence. Inerrancey has to do with God's word, not any variant from God's word, whether do to changes in copies or errors in translations.

 

Then why suggest that is part of God’s qualifications for pastors.

 

I think this is a good question and a great thread topic...
Please, let's not let this devolve into a KJV/KJVO conversation.
This is about pastors studying the Original languages.

 

Original language study is not about retranslating an English translation of the Bible.
I affirm the value of studying them.
What's wrong is the misuse of such knowledge. But that isn't exclusive to original languages either. All education can be abused.
Also, this is not always about higher degrees. One can study the original languages informally, at home, in the office etc.
I got my degree online. Most of the materials I used, (and all the materials for Hebrew and Greek courses) were available to any Joe Schmoe who had a coupla' hundred bucks and a desire to learn.

Anyone who has studied the original languages knows that sometimes a word can have nuances of meanings which add some depth to what is written and translated. I am not talking about preachers regularly opening their bibles and acting like the word used "SHOULD BE ______" That annoys me to death. I have nowhere near the qualifications to question the abilities of the professionals who translated the ESV, KJV, NASB etc.....and neither do 98% of pastors who like to say: "The word should be ______". However, when different translations disagree (as they sometimes do) a knowledge of the originals weighs in on whether I agree with one particular translation's rendering vs. another's etc.etc.

Furthermore, studying other languages forces one to understand even English grammar better.
It is an extremely valuable tool.
One thing you cannot suggest IMO is that (used appropriately) someone with no knowledge of original languages is better equipped than someone with decent working knowledge.
One of them only has wrenches and pliers, the other also has a socket set in his toolbox.