Strongs Concordance?

[SingularityOne]

Have any of you Orthodox used this concordance as a reference for studying scripture? Protestants recommend it and I just don’t know if it’s reliable due to it being outside of the Orthodox phronema. What are your thoughts?

*Orthodox only please*

 

[HTacianas]

Have any of you Orthodox used this concordance as a reference for studying scripture? Protestants recommend it and I just don’t know if it’s reliable due to it being outside of the Orthodox phronema. What are your thoughts?

*Orthodox only please*

blueletterbible.com links to Strong's concordance. I use it all the time. But it tends to rely on the King James Version as authoritative so it can be somewhat circular in places. Sort of like asking what a word in the KJV means, well it means what the KJV says it means. But it's useful.

 

[SingularityOne]

blueletterbible.com links to Strong's concordance. I use it all the time. But it tends to rely on the King James Version as authoritative so it can be somewhat circular in places. Sort of like asking what a word in the KJV means, well it means what the KJV says it means. But it's useful.

Yeah, I guess that’s what I mean… it seems like it can get circular due to not having a founding in the Orthodox understanding of the meaning of the word fully. What do you use it for that you find useful? Just for word-studies?

 

[HTacianas]

Yeah, I guess that’s what I mean… it seems like it can get circular due to not having a founding in the Orthodox understanding of the meaning of the word fully. What do you use it for that you find useful? Just for word-studies?

Yes, mostly word studies. It helps a lot but since I don't speak Greek sometimes it doesn't help. There are a few verses in the new testament that I dispute the traditional understanding of. I use the concordance to try to resolve it but I end up chasing my tail a lot.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Have any of you Orthodox used this concordance as a reference for studying scripture? Protestants recommend it and I just don’t know if it’s reliable due to it being outside of the Orthodox phronema. What are your thoughts?

*Orthodox only please*

yes, it’s okay to use since Orthodoxy has the proper understanding.

 

[SingularityOne]

yes, it’s okay to use since Orthodoxy has the proper understanding.

But, if you were doing a word study with a Protestant it wouldn’t get you anywhere due to not having a shared phronema, if I’m hearing you right here?

 

[ArmyMatt]

But, if you were doing a word study with a Protestant it wouldn’t get you anywhere due to not having a shared phronema, if I’m hearing you right here?

it might, take the Protestant’s insight back to the priest

 

[SingularityOne]

it might, take the Protestant’s insight back to the priest

I see, so there is some wiggle-room, so to speak.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I see, so there is some wiggle-room, so to speak.

if the insight is correct, it’s Orthodox even if from the mouth of a heterodox. but that’s why you tell your priest.

 

[SingularityOne]

if the insight is correct, it’s Orthodox even if from the mouth of a heterodox. but that’s why you tell your priest.

Yeah, you’re right. Thanks father.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Yeah, you’re right. Thanks father.

no problem

 

[Melily]

Have any of you Orthodox used this concordance as a reference for studying scripture? Protestants recommend it and I just don’t know if it’s reliable due to it being outside of the Orthodox phronema. What are your thoughts?

*Orthodox only please*

I’m glad you brought this up since I was just wondering the same thing!

 

[Andrei D]

There's nothing wrong with looking up a word.
You already mentioned the problem: it is a tool that can lead / enable a way of "studying" the Scripture that is outside the Orthodox mindset.
But like any tool it is neither good nor bad in itself, just the way you use it can be.

 

[SingularityOne]

There's nothing wrong with looking up a word.
You already mentioned the problem: it is a tool that can lead / enable a way of "studying" the Scripture that is outside the Orthodox mindset.
But like any tool it is neither good nor bad in itself, just the way you use it can be.

Yeah, I just see it’s limitations now that I’m understanding more. It’s circular if used by a Protestant based on their presuppositions and for the Orthodox it only helps us understand our faith better if utilized in accordance with the phronema of the Church.

 

[Light of the East]

blueletterbible.com links to Strong's concordance. I use it all the time. But it tends to rely on the King James Version as authoritative so it can be somewhat circular in places. Sort of like asking what a word in the KJV means, well it means what the KJV says it means. But it's useful.

BlueLetter Bible is excellent IF --- "IF" -- you can get by their nauseating celebration of the Reformation every year. What makes it so is that there is Young's Literal Translation in which you can leave the horrible mistranslation of the Greek in the KJV and read a more literal translation. It is also a great search engine for finding verses when you only know a word or two.

Yes, the problem with Strong's is that it is a Western and Protestant work and as such, follows the ideas of Western Christianity. If you aware of this and stay away from the KJV and other wretched interpretations, it is a really good app to use.