Biblical Languages Archives - Sattler College

From Familiarity to Understanding

Ricky Wall — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 21:14:50 +0000

Dr. Tim Mackie, co-founder of Bible Project1 and self-described Bible nerd, observes, “What I think that familiarity does is it dulls us, it dulls our imaginations, and we tend not to think that we’re gonna be surprised or learn anything significant or new from these [Biblical] stories.”2 For many of us, the Bible is deeply familiar. We’ve heard the stories since childhood, memorized verses, and learned the major characters. Yet that very familiarity can quietly flatten something meant to be endlessly rich. What if Scripture still has the power to surprise you? At Sattler, the Biblical & Religious Studies (BRS) program exists to help students move beyond this surface familiarity into a rich understanding. As Christians, we understand that reading Scripture is not simply about collecting information — it is about encountering God and discerning His will for humanity. It is about moving knowledge from academics and head knowledge to lifestyle and heart transformation. This kind of study does not produce arrogance or division, but humility and a growing awareness that we are engaging with words that have shaped lives, communities, and history, the Words of God Himself. As Sattler students are taught to press deeper, the Bible becomes less like a set of well-known stories and more like a living narrative that speaks to why we are here and how we ought to live. One of the most transformative ways Sattler cultivates this understanding is through the study of Biblical Hebrew and Greek. Wrestling through four semesters of Hebrew is challenging, but it instills a profound respect for the text. There is something unforgettable about reading through Genesis in its original language for the first time. As I began this process this semester, it was as though the grainy black-and-white video story of Genesis had suddenly transformed into an HD color experience. I now look forward to being able to engage with Scripture in this way for the rest of my life. The BRS program is also shaped by professors whose lives reflect the message they teach. Deeply invested in their church communities, they model what it looks like to live a Scripture-shaped life, offering students not only instruction but examples of following Jesus in everyday life. At the same time, Sattler intentionally exposes students to a wide range of perspectives within biblical scholarship. Rather than handing students a single theological system, the program equips them with the tools to think carefully, engage charitably, and navigate a diverse landscape of interpretations with confidence and humility. Those who complete Sattler’s BRS program will find that Sattler has well equipped them for further training in theology and pastoral ministry at the graduate level. Finally, Sattler’s BRS program is not confined to the classroom. Students are encouraged to put their learning into practice — leading Bible studies, discipling others, sharing their faith, and serving their communities. The goal is not merely academic achievement, but a lifelong engagement with Scripture that transforms both the reader and the world around them. When was the last time Scripture surprised you? If you long to rediscover the depth of God’s Word and grow in both humility and understanding, the BRS program at Sattler may be the next step in your journey.

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“Greek Never Died” – Episode 016

Sattler College — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 21:20:54 +0000

Don’t miss a future episode. Subscribe wherever you get podcasts! In this episode, Jose Diaz, a PhD student in Greek New Testament studies at Andrews University and new faculty member at Sattler College, shares his journey from Mexico to the U.S., his passion for teaching biblical Greek, and how he uses second language acquisition methods to make Greek a living language for students. He also discusses the debate over Greek pronunciation, using props to teach the Lord’s Prayer, and his philosophy on blending academic rigor with personal devotion. Jose offers practical tips on how to start studying Greek and keep it as a lifelong habit, no matter where you are in your journey. Learn more about studying Biblical and Religious Studies at Sattler. Mentioned: Mentioned in this episode: Chapters: 0:00 – Introduction and Welcome0:28 – Jose’s Background and Educational Journey3:59 – Passion for Greek and Spiritual Connection11:01 – Approaching Greek Pedagogy: Combining Heart and Mind16:50 – The Lord’s Prayer in Greek: Demonstration and Explanation24:10 – Transitioning to Modern Greek Pronunciation32:00 – Jose’s Perspective on Learning Greek as a Living Language39:20 – Advice for Starting and Sustaining Greek Study47:00 – Sattler College Open House and Closing Remarks Transcript This transcript has been auto generated and likely contains errors. Zack Johnson: 0:02It is September 12th, 2024, and I’m here with the one and only Jose Diaz. Jose, thank you for taking the time to be part of the podcast with me. Thank you for the invitation, right? So, jose, how long have you been in Boston? Jose Diaz: 0:18Well, we moved. Our moving day was August 13th, so uh, about three weeks. Zack Johnson: 0:27Yeah, so I was. I’m joking that we decided to film right in the sunlight to give people a little bit of a view of the city that you just moved to. But I’m gonna read your bio. That’s on our website and okay, they’re in the middle of that. Feel free to correct or subtract anything from it, and then we can just jump right into what we’re going to talk about. But first, just for our viewers, who people are watching, what are these things in front of us? Jose Diaz: 0:53Well, what we have here is some of the props that I use for the Lord’s Prayer. We are learning the Lord’s Prayer and one of the best ways is to engage with props, so perhaps at the end or sometime, I could pray in Greek and show you how I use these props. Okay, that students are going to eventually use them as they learn the Lord’s Prayer. Some students are starting to lead the prayer already in Greek. Zack Johnson: 1:29Right, and then I’m assuming that this is evil, this dragon. Jose Diaz: 1:33Yes, the evil one. Yes, he represents the evil one. Yeah, I got it. Zack Johnson: 1:37That makes sense to me, all right. Jose S Diaz is a PhD student specializing in Greek New Testament, with a minor in Hebrew Bible at Andrews University. He holds an MA in pastoral ministry from Andrews University, an MSED in education with a concentration in English as a second language and bilingual education from Northern Illinois University, an MDiv equivalency from Andrews University and a BA in theology from Monte Morelos University in Mexico. In 2023, he started a YouTube channel called A Plus Lingua to help students internalize the Greek scripture through songs. Anything to add or subtract? Was that accurate? No, that’s basically it. All right. So you’ve got a lot of schooling. And then mr diaz’s interests include infusing second language acquisition methodology into greek pedagogy, greek exegesis, greek discourse analysis and new testament backgrounds by visiting archaeological sites that aid in the understanding of the scriptures, greece, etc. He’s been teaching Greek communicatively for the past three years, serving undergraduate and graduate students. He wants to help church members locally and globally to anchor themselves in the scriptures and become lifelong readers of the Greek scriptures. Zack Johnson: 2:59All right, jose, welcome here. Thank you so much. All right, thank you for having me, absolutely so. The obvious question is when I read your bio. All right, jose, welcome here. Thank you so much, all right, thank you for having me, absolutely so. The obvious question is when I read your bio, the most repeated word is Greek. Yes, greek, greek, greek. And you’re wearing a t-shirt that says Friends of Greek, friends of Greek. Jose Diaz: 3:18And then it says yes, and Matthew 19, 36. Parateo Panta Dunata, yes, parateo Panta Dinata. Zack Johnson: 3:25Dinata, yes, and Matthew 19, 36. So I think it’s safe to say that you have some sort of passion for Greek. That’s correct. I’d love to just ask you to tell me about your passion and then share where on earth did you develop it and why are you so passionate about sharing it with others? Jose Diaz: 3:56Yes, so my journey with Greek has been for several years. In 96, I took my first Greek class in 1996 when I was doing my undergrad. First two semesters were not as I would like someone to study Greek, but then my passion started in my third semester of Greek. But then I did not follow that. I did not follow theology as my professional in my professional life, meaning I did not find employment in that area. So I entered into the educational field. That’s when I got a master’s in education, but still my first love with the scriptures was still there. Jose Diaz: 4:45Even though I worked for more than 18 years in education, I wanted to do something with the biblical languages. So that’s when I started building so I could go back and get a PhD specifically in the Greek New Testament and get a PhD specifically in the Greek New Testament. So it was a long journey. We moved to Bering Springs, michigan, where Andrews University is […]

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Bringing Hebrew to Life: New Illustrated Readers by Dr. Jesse Scheumann

Sattler College — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 12:30:40 +0000

The study of Biblical Hebrew has just become more accessible and engaging, thanks to Dr. Jesse Scheumann’s latest publication: Illustrated Graded Reader for Biblical Hebrew: Volumes I and II. These two volumes will revolutionize how students approach the language by combining incremental learning with visually rich stories, beautifully illustrated by his wife, Merissa. A Step-by-Step Journey to Fluency Each volume features eight illustrated stories that gradually increase in length and complexity, allowing students to deepen their knowledge at a comfortable pace. Across both readers, 144 linked Hebrew audio and video recordings provide additional support, including puppet reenactments, story narrations, and teaching sessions. These multimedia resources offer valuable input to help learners internalize the language. Comprehensive translation and grammatical notes are also included to ensure full comprehension and confidence as students progress. Shaped by Years of Experience Reflecting on the journey, Dr. Scheumann shared, “I am thrilled to announce the publication of this two-volume illustrated Hebrew reader. This project has been in the works for ten years, and it never would have taken its current form without coming to Sattler College six years ago. The stories went through three separate revisions based on my experience teaching students through the years.” A Collaborative Effort with Sattler Students Dozens of Sattler College students played a hands-on role in creating these volumes, bringing realism and humor to the illustrations by posing for pictures and acting out scenes. “We truly could not have done it without them, and the result is richer for us with all of the memories that fed into it,” Dr. Scheumann reflected. Two students in particular played prominent roles in this collaboration. “Brevon Miller (Barukh), a former student of mine, was a tremendous partner in creating all of the puppet videos,” Dr. Scheumann noted. “Sattler College gave us unlimited access to their recording studio, and they paid Brevon work-study hours to record with me and to do all of the editing work.” Another student, Maykel Saad, recorded audio for the first twelve stories, lending an authentic voice to the project. “His first language is Egyptian Arabic, so every phoneme of Biblical Hebrew foreign to English is native to him,” Dr. Scheumann remarked. Dedication to Sattler Students The Illustrated Graded Reader is dedicated to the students of Sattler College, whose contributions were essential in bringing the project to life: “To the students of Sattler College:We endeavored to do this for all of you,and we accomplished it with many of you.” Praise from the Academic Community The Illustrated Graded Reader for Biblical Hebrew has already received accolades from Hebrew instructors around the world. Robert D. Holmstedt, Professor of Hebrew Bible and West Semitic Languages at the University of Toronto, praised it as “an amazing pedagogical tool” that introduces a visual graded approach to learning: “The illustrations are colorful, elegant, and engaging without being distracting. It’s simply a beautiful teaching tool that I look forward to using with students.” Other educators echo this sentiment. Kevin Chau, Senior Lecturer of Hebrew at the University of the Free State, South Africa, noted that the Scheumanns’ work thoughtfully integrates visual, audio, and performative modes of learning, accommodating various learning styles and making sure every student can succeed. A Resource for Every Student Whether you are just beginning your journey with Biblical Hebrew or looking to strengthen your existing skills, Illustrated Graded Reader for Biblical Hebrew: Volumes I and II provide a unique, story-driven approach to language learning. With each story building on the previous one, and the inclusion of audio and visual resources, these books set a new standard for how Biblical Hebrew can be both taught and experienced. For future Sattler students, these volumes will make learning Biblical Hebrew even more engaging and memorable. You can learn more or order your copies on Amazon or directly from GlossaHouse: Volume I Volume II Discover how these resources can transform your study of Biblical Hebrew and enrich the learning experience at Sattler College!

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Biblical Languages as Worship

Justin Cox — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 20:16:00 +0000

“What does this verse really say?” “What does this verse really say?” This is probably the question I get asked most by those uninitiated into the joys of reading the Bible in the original Greek or Hebrew. The thought of accessing some special (read “secret”) meaning in Scripture is extremely appealing. Why else would Dan Brown’s books have sold so well? Alas, my answer to this question is often not what the inquirer hoped for: “Precisely what it says in English.” As boring as it sounds, that’s the answer for almost every passage of Scripture. Yes, there is the odd verse that may raise some questions (cf. Jesus’ statement to Peter, “Get behind me Satan,” vs. simply “Get behind me adversary”), but even in those cases, the translation you will find in most modern English translations is, at least, a strong possibility. But the main problem with the above question is not the motivation for asking it; rather, the problem lies in the focus of studying the biblical languages. Instead of seeing the study of Greek, Hebrew, or even Latin as a portal to hidden meanings inaccessible through translation, original language study is chiefly an act of worship. Let us consider two reasons we should be driven to worship through study of God’s Word in the original tongues: because the languages are beautiful, and because they are hard to learn. Reason One: Worship—Because the Languages Are Beautiful Photo by Tanner Mardis on Unsplash In my years of studying, reading, and teaching biblical languages, I have often been struck by the majesty of the act: reading the words of the apostle, prophet, or church father in their original tongue allows a degree of participation that reading these texts in translation does not. It is one thing to read that “the Word became flesh,” but it is another thing to read John’s actual words, “ὁ λόγος σὰρξ ἐγένετο.” Through original language study we can see that the Beatitudes use as much alliteration as the most Baptist of Baptist pastors. We can see that James 1:17 is written in the same poetic meter as Homer’s poems, or that the Psalms (and indeed, the whole Old Testament!) are structured in a repeating pattern full of allusion, mirroring, and metaphor that rivals the world’s greatest epic poems. When the Christian encounters such beauty, there is only one proper response: praising the Lord for his magnificent revelation. When we read the striking classical periodic structure introducing the letter to the Hebrews, there is reason to thank God for the Greek language’s ability to communicate so complex an idea in so flowing and elegant a style. When we read the wordplay in the genealogies of Genesis, we are bound to admire the handiwork of the Lord who inspired it. When we see the parallels between “בראשׁית” in Genesis 1:1 and “Ἐν ἀρχῇ” in John 1:1, we must marvel at the simplicity with which so lofty an event is described. This is not to say that this beauty is inaccessible through translations. Indeed, much of it is! But the more I have studied and taught Greek and Hebrew, the more I have realized God’s providence in inspiring his Word into particular languages at particular times. Thus, by learning Greek and Hebrew, we can celebrate not only the Word of God, but also the words of God as he chose to reveal them. And that is a joy worth knowing. Reason Two: Worship—Because the Languages Are Hard Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash At one of the tea times last year, President Johnson shared his reflections on a video produced by retired Navy SEAL Jocko Willink titled “Good.” The video is straightforward: whenever we encounter an obstacle to success, or a disappointment, or anything that inhibits us on the path we have chosen, good. We can now rise to the challenge afresh, armed with the knowledge and skill set to overcome what stopped us before. “If you can say the word ‘Good,’ guess what? It means you’re still alive. It means you’re still breathing. And if you’re still breathing, well now, you’ve still got some fight left in you.”1 The difficulty doesn’t break the experience, it makes it. In a way quite different from Navy SEAL training, studying Greek and Hebrew is hard. You may not risk being drowned by a super soldier, but you may very well spend many a sleepless night poring over grammars, lexica, and biblical passages. You will very likely exert tremendous effort for a disappointing grade and contemplate quitting this study altogether. But when we encounter these challenges, what if we say, “good”? Even better, what if these challenges lead us to worship God for the depth of his revelation in Scripture? Consider this: the difficulty you face in learning the languages reflects the great artistry present in the text of the Bible. If it were easy, the Bible might read something like a newspaper—informative, but boring. Instead, Scripture is full of some of the most incredible literary beauty, and that means you will have to learn both the science of the language (which is often drab and repetitive, but helpful) and the art of the language (where the difficulty and the beauty lie). Your education at Sattler will well prepare you for such discoveries. If there is one thing I have learned in my time here, it is that the students are up to the task they’ve been given, particularly in the study of Greek and Hebrew. And if the tediousness of deep language study gets to you, remember the words of the great Anglican theologian Sir Edwyn Hoskyns, “Bury yourself in the lexicon and arise in the presence of God.”2

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Cutting The English Umbilical Cord with Dr. Jesse Scheumann – Episode 001

Sattler College — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 16:50:11 +0000

Dr. Jesse Scheumann shares how he gained a passion for studying scripture in the original languages and how he helps students at Sattler College do the same. He tells President Zack Johnson about his journey through college, how he thinks about Bible translation and inerrancy, as well as his life outside Sattler. Don’t miss a future episode. Subscribe wherever you get podcasts! Mentioned in this episode: Full Description In our first-ever podcast episode, President Zack Johnson had the privilege of engaging in a rich conversation with Dr. Jesse Scheumann, a passionate linguist who has transitioned from pastoral to academic ministry. His journey from rural Minnesota to scholarly work in generative linguistics, Greek, and Hebrew is truly inspiring. Dr. Scheumann’s approach to teaching is unique and dynamic. He employs a communicative methodology that incorporates Total Physical Response (TPR) and storytelling. This engaging and effective teaching strategy has not only revolutionized his classroom experiences but has also impacted his family, bringing language learning into the home environment. A significant portion of the conversation was dedicated to exploring the intricacies of learning Biblical languages. The richness and nuances of Greek and Hebrew can be daunting to many, but Dr. Scheumann provided valuable insights into the resources and methods that can make this endeavor more accessible. He emphasized the importance of direct engagement with these languages, bypassing English as a medium for learning. As an author, Dr. Scheumann opened up about his publishing journey. He shared about his work on a biblical theology of birth pain, and co-authoring a Picture Dictionary and an illustrated Jonah book. His writing endeavors are closely tied to his passion for language acquisition, providing valuable resources for learners. The discussion also touched upon the contrasting experiences of Christian life in urban and rural settings. Dr. Scheumann shared his experiences of raising a family in an urban environment. The importance of learning to read the Bible in its original languages was another focal point of the conversation. The ability to directly engage with the biblical text in Greek and Hebrew not only enriches personal study but also enhances confidence in biblical interpretation. The episode wrapped up with an invitation to the upcoming Sattler College Open House. This event offers an opportunity to connect with Dr. Scheumann and learn more about the institution’s commitment to providing a well-rounded Christian education. The conversation with Dr. Jesse Scheumann offers a wealth of insights into language study, biblical theology, and the intertwining of faith and life. It challenges listeners to engage more deeply with the biblical text and invites them to consider the profound impact of language on our understanding of faith and the world. Full Transcript *Auto-generated and may contain errors. Zack Johnson: 0:05 It is September 28th and I’m with the first ever guest of a Sattler College podcast. We don’t yet have a title, but we might discover it today. So we’re with Dr Jesse Scheumann, who’s been with Sattler since when Dr Scheumann or Jesse 2018, so I came in August 2018, moved from Minnesota. Alright, so I’m going to read your bio really quick so people know who I’m talking about. Okay, and then we’re going to get into it. Sound good, sounds good. Thanks for being here. I’m excited to talk about something and I’ve listened to podcasts and preparations so I might provide some alternative personas while we talk. Alright, jesse Scheumann holds a PhD with a specialization in Hebrew from the University of the Free State in South Africa. Did you ever live in South Africa? I’ve never even been to South Africa. Common question I’ve heard you address. He holds an MA in Logistics from the University of Minnesota and an MDiv and a THM from Bethlehem College and Seminary, and a BA in Biblical and Theological Studies from University of Northwestern St Paul. In 2017, he founded Picture Hebrew with his wife, marissa to provide illustrated resources that help others internalize the language of Scripture. That’s a lot. Anything to add or subtract from your bio after hearing about it. No, alright, I’ll keep going. Jesse or Mr Scheumann’s interests lie in the areas of generative linguistics, language acquisition, greek and Hebrew, exegesis and Biblical theology. He has been teaching Communicative Hebrew for several years and is passionate to see any committed student become a lifelong reader of Greek and Hebrew. His desires to build up the church locally and globally. Beautiful Welcome, thanks, alright, just to start off, I’d love to hear an arch of your story, just like a five minute. This is where I was born and this is how I got to where I am now. Sure. Jesse Scheumann: 2:20 So I was born. I was born in Illinois. I’m the sixth of eight children. My dad is a pastor, my mom home school. All of us children. We moved to Minnesota. When I was one, lived in rural Minnesota. My dad was pastor of an evangelical church in the countryside of Minnesota. Throughout high school I would have told you that I’m not going to go to college because college is just an expensive way to meet your wife and I knew who I was going to marry. So I didn’t actually, and so I guess that’s part of it was. I broke up with this girl Summer before going to college, decided I was doing community college just getting my generals out of the way. I decided to go to college and finish out my bachelor’s degree just to take advantage of what I had already done. I had taken all the generals that they offered and I thought about well, do I want to do 40 credits of any one of those studies? The closest I came to was maybe psychology, maybe history, as far as the classes I had taken at the community college. But I wasn’t really so interested in any one of those things. But when I heard about the biblical and theological studies degree […]

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Why Communicative Hebrew?

Sattler College — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 10:00:00 +0000

Not every class at Sattler has a professor somersaulting across the classroom floor, or students waving their arms above their heads as they pretend to be trees, or a couple of guys dueling with plastic swords—but in the context of Hebrew class, anything can happen.

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Why learn biblical Greek and Hebrew?

Sattler College — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 00:31:14 +0000

Watch the video below to find out why Sattler raised the bar for college students to handle the word of truth.

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