I'm not so sure that we are looking at the whole picture.
Literalists are required by scripture KJV 2Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. So they are required to research. You are correct in that the average Christian does not know the difference between the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament, they use the Old Testament in its place, most Jews could not tell you about the New Testament, they do not give any validity to it at all.
Most Christian's and Jews look to the books recognized by their particular belief. Comparing the Rabbi to the average Christian is rather like comparing apples and oranges.
Most ministers I know do research the Aramaic, Hebrew, and Greek. Most are aware of the differences in the Torah (five books of Moses or Pentateuch) being the first of the three parts of the Tanakh. Many may not speak these languages but they research in them. Most read the English because its their native tongue just as the Amish read the German translation of scripture, or the Rabbi reads Hebrew.
I would agree that a Rabbi would not consider reading English or Greek writings, why would they, to read the Old Testament in English would just mean they, just as the Christian, would have to, compare the Hebrew meaning of the word and they would not read the Greek because they give no credence to the New Testament at all.
Speaking of the radical differences in approach Christian's and Jews have on scripture. The Jew has the Oral and Written Tradition which in its self has some differences and is not word for word the same. There are stories in the written that when going to the Oral you get the complete picture. Just as the Christian must research various writings. In speaking of the Jewish Law of Shaatnez, to Christians these laws were not applied to the Gentile. and the laws that do apply to the Gentile are explained in ACTS chapter 15 of the New Testament, but realizing that the Jew gives no credence to the New Testament I would refer you to the difference between the 613 Mitzvot laws that are for the Jew and the 7 Noahide laws.
I will point out that I Rev Mel White was correct in his statement " "Over the centuries people who misunderstood or misinterpreted the Bible have done terrible things. The Bible has been misused to defend bloody crusades and tragic inquisitions; to support slavery,apartheid, and segregation; to persecute Jews and other non-Christian people of faith; to support Hitler's Third Reich and the Holocaust; to oppose medical science; to condemn interracial marriage; to execute women as witches; and to support the Ku Klux Klan. Shakespeare said it this way: 'Even the devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.' He just left out the " Gush Emunin Underground", Terror Against Terror also known as TNT, Brit HaKanaim, Jewish Defense League (JDL) all known Jewish Terror Organizations.
I believe when we read the below statement, since we are all guilty, that we should be taking a good long look in the mirror.
Even when we believe the Scriptures are 'infallible' or 'without error,' it's terribly dangerous to think that our understanding of every biblical text is also without error. We are human. We are fallible. And we can misunderstand and misinterpret these ancient words -- with tragic results."
Just an Old Preacher's Opinion
Rev Robert
