Fall 2004/Pasadena
LG512A
House

LG512A: BEGINNING GREEK. Mark Aaron House.


DESCRIPTION:

This course is the first part of a three-quarter series designed to give students a foundational knowledge of the morphology and syntax of New Testament (Koine) Greek. PowerPoint-assisted lecture content is reinforced with practical in-class assignments completed in a small group context. Learning is further enhanced through the use of flash cards, Greek songs, educational games and online resources. Weekly quizzes and periodic tests are used to monitor progress.
Students registering for this course should plan to continue with parts B and C of the same series, held in the Winter and Spring quarters respectively.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
Skillful exegesis is foundational for effective teaching and preaching, and the ability to interact with the text of the New Testament in its original language is a key element of the exegetical task. Upon completion of this three-part course, students will be equipped, with the assistance of the various reference tools currently available, to engage the Greek text profitably and to form critical judgments regarding the theological and practical implications which arise from the text.

COURSE FORMAT:
The course meets twice each week for two hours per class session.

REQUIRED READING:
Aland, K. et al. The Greek New Testament. 4th ed. (revised) with dictionary bound in back. United Bible Societies, 1993.

Black, David Alan. Learn to Read New Testament Greek. Broadman & Holman, 1993.

Danker, F. W. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 3d ed. Based on Walter Bauer. . . . University of Chicago Press, 2000 [BDAG].
For additional requirements, consult the Biblical Division bibliography "Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Program" available in the SOT Academic Advising office.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:
Fee, Gordon D. New Testament Exegesis: A Handbook for Students and Pastors. 3rd ed. Westminster/John Knox, 2002.

Trenchard, Warren. Complete Vocabulary Guide to the Greek New Testament. Zondervan, 1998.

Wallace, Daniel. Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics. Zondervan, 1996.

ASSIGNMENTS:
Weekly assignments in reading, vocabulary acquisition, translation and grammatical development will be given, along with a brief quiz each class period.

PREREQUISITES:
None. No audits.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
The completed three-quarter sequence LG512A/B/C meets the M.Div. core requirement in Greek (GRK) as well as the Greek requirement for the D. Min. degree.

FINAL EXAMINATION:
There will be a mid-term test and a cumulative final examination.