DESCRIPTION: This course is the first part of a three-course series designed to give the student a basic knowledge of the morphology and syntax of New Testament Greek. Students registering for this course should plan to continue with parts B and C of the series, held in the winter and spring quarters respectively. This course combines the deductive approach with an inductive study from the text of the New Testament. Periodic quizzes and tests help the student to monitor his or her progress.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of this three-course track each student will be enabled to (1) read aloud in Greek; (2) generally identify the varied nouns and pronouns; (3) generally to parse the "regular" verb forms; (4) generally recognize the "irregular" verb forms; (5) understand enough grammar to read a basic narrative text in Greek; (6) generally identify subjects, adjectives, direct and indirect objects, prepositional phrases, and adverbs, in a Greek text; (7) use a lexicon to amplify an understanding of words and to find unfamiliar words; (8) use a reference grammar to investigate grammatical and syntactical issues; (9) understand the challenges, purposes, and value of learning Greek.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: One of the most basic elements in interpreting the text of the New Testament is understanding the language in which it was written. Students who successfully complete this course should, with the use of various resources, be able to consult the Greek text as part of the exegetical task. They should be able to critically evaluate theological and exegetical positions which purport to be based on some feature of the Greek text.

COURSE FORMAT: The course meets two times each week for two-hour sessions.

REQUIRED READING:

Aland, K. et al. The Greek New Testament. 4th ed. United Bible Societies, 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].

Mounce, William D. Basics of Biblical Greek: Grammar. 2d ed. Zondervan, 2003.

__________. Basics of Biblical Greek: Workbook. 2d ed. Zondervan, 2003.

See the Biblical Division bibliography "Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Program" available in the SOT Academic Advising office.

Black, David Alan. Linguistics for Students of New Testament Greek: A Survey of Basic Concepts and Applications. 2d ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1995.

Metzger, Bruce M. Lexical Aids for Students of New Testament Greek. 3d ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1997.

Moulton, J. H.; W. F. Howard; and N. Turner. A Grammar of New Testament Greek. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1906-1976: [Volume I: Prolegomena; Volume II: Accidence and Word-Formation with an Appendix on Semitisms in the New Testament; Volume III: Syntax; Volume IV: Style].

Wilson, M. Mastering New Testament Greek Vocabulary through Semantic Domains. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2003.