Dear Dale Pritchett - show me the proof!

The big new news for Logos Bible Software lately has been the pre-pub announcement of Learn to Use Biblical Greek and Hebrew with Logos Bible Software. While I am happy enough with the concept, I will hold off until I actually see the videos to comment. Suffice it to say, I think there is tremendous value in actually learning a language. Conversely, knowing just a little bit without knowing all of the main elements can make you a dangerous preacher and exegete. The traditional answer for language acquisition has been to teach all of the basic elements first, while this new method will try something different. It will be interesting to see if it in fact does equip Logos users to do it on their own, or if it just holds their hand through a few passages (churches with Logos-using pastors may start hearing identical sermons once the publication comes out :-)

However, the question I want to ask today is a statement made by Dale Pritchett at the beginning of the most recent Logos blog post. He states:

For many years now, schools have been downsizing Greek and Hebrew programs due to decreasing demand. Students have been opting-out of the rigorous language programs in such numbers that we now estimate that less than fifteen percent of all seminary students complete a Greek or Hebrew language course as part of their degree program. You have to believe, as a result, the exegetical skills in the pulpit have been greatly reduced. This concerns us greatly.

I would really like to know what statistics Dale has to estimate this 15%. I of course am in agreement with his last statement, exegetical skills without the primary languages are limited and it shows in churches. But as far as I can tell, the "downsizing" of language programs is a myth- or at least an over-exaggeration. Let me explain.

Currently, my place of work is going through the tedious 10-year ATS review. Following this review will be a year-long re-evaluation of the curriculum. Now, as the intro languages teacher, I naturally got just a little nervous about my "babies" (intro Greek and intro Hebrew) as it is "common knowledge" that seminaries are dropping the languages.

So, in order for me and my colleagues to think intelligently on the issue, I did some fact finding. I visited the websites of about 30 seminaries, mostly Canadian but some American, of similar size offering similar programs. I found 1 which had dropped the languages, and as far as I can tell it is because they have a greatly reduced M.Div. (72 credit hours rather than 90). EVERY other seminary I looked at required languages at the graduate level. In fact, my school ranks as one that requires the least amount. This led me to the belief that this "downsizing" is a myth that has been simply passed on and taken as truth.

It is easy to understand why. Students complain about it and so the myth begins that schools will cut them to make students happier. Trouble is, most of those who are in leadership at seminaries continue to recognize the value of the original languages and keep them as core courses.

Now perhaps I am wrong, but if I am, show me.