In this episode of Exploring the Language of Scripture, Daniel Mikkelsen sits down with Denis Salgado—a research fellow at the Center for the Study of NT Manuscripts—to delve into the intricate world of Bible translation, common fallacies, and the overlooked realm of Greek lectionaries. Denis shares his journey from theology to textual criticism and reveals how a deep understanding of Greek exposes translation pitfalls (for example, why the Greek word beloved can never refer to the Church in Ephesians 1:6). He also uncovers the vital role of lectionaries in shaping centuries of Bible reading tradition.

With over 42% of our Greek New Testament manuscripts being lectionaries, this sheds light on a strong tradition that has been overlooked in textual criticism for more than a century—one that offers fresh insights into how ancient reading plans continue to influence believers today.

Whether you’re a student of biblical languages, a theology enthusiast, or simply curious about how Scripture is transmitted across the ages, this episode provides a thought-provoking look at:
• How biblical languages enrich our interpretation of Scripture
• The fallacies that arise from translation issues
• The pivotal impact of Greek lectionaries on Christian worship

Don’t Miss the Next Episode:
Our next conversation features Seth Postell as we dive into The Goal of the Torah – Part 1.

Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction
01:43 – Introducing Denis and the Centre for the Study of NT Manuscripts
07:13 – From Theology to Texts: Denis' Journey into Biblical Languages
12:44 – Why Knowing Biblical Languages Matters for Interpretation
18:08 – Avoiding Misinterpretations: How Greek Helps Clarify Key Doctrines
27:51 – Linguistic Nuances That Shape Our Understanding of Scripture
29:58 – Lectionaries: The Overlooked Witness to Early Christian Worship
31:46 – Reading Romans in the Byzantine Church: A Lectionary Perspective
36:04 – Liturgical Traditions and Their Role in Preserving Scripture
38:38 – Why Studying the Lectionaries Matters
46:18 – Why Protestants Have Overlooked the Lectionary Tradition
49:22 – Lectionaries and Early Christian Worship Practices
55:25 – The Ancient Tradition of Public Scripture Reading in Church
01:00:47 – How Lectionary Studies Can Enrich Your Bible Reading Today

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Music Credits:
Music from #Uppbeat

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Podcast Keywords:
biblical languages, New Testament, Old Testament, Christ, bible study, Relationship with God, learn biblical languages, Biblical Theology, Christianity, Covenants, New covenant, old covenant, language acquisition, Biblical Greek, Biblical Hebrew.