DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to go beyond the typical beginning course in Greek to help the student develop a more intimate acquaintance with the grammar and syntax of the Greek language of the New Testament, the resources for studying it, and the Greek text itself. It will include (1) a survey of the major grammatical and lexical resources and their history, strengths, and weaknesses; (2) working systematically through an intermediate Greek grammar; (3) a special focus on 6-8 of the most exegetically significant areas of syntax; and (4) reading from the New Testament in order to help keep the study of grammar, syntax, and lexicography grounded in the text.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course, you will (a) be familiar with many of the significant grammatical reference works of the last 100 years and understand their usefulness and limitations; (b) have a thorough and unified understanding of the grammatical structures of the language of the New Testament, especially those which are exegetically significant; (c) be able to discuss and apply to the text your understanding of several major issues in the interpretation and application of Greek grammar in the New Testament; (d) be able to read, translate, and discuss the text of most parts of the New Testament with minimal use of basic tools; and (e) be able to use major references (lexical and grammatical) with discernment to expore and investigate further.

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 course, students will be better equipped to engage the Greek text profitably and to form critical judgments regarding the theological and practical implications that arise from the text.

COURSE FORMAT: The course meets twice each week for two-hours sessions.

REQUIRED READING:

Aland, K.; M. Black; C. Martini; B. Metzger; and A. Wikgren, eds. The Greek New Testament. 4th rev. ed. United Bible Societies, 1993.

Kubo, Sakae. A Reader's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. Zondervan, 1975.

Wallace, Daniel B. The Basics of New Testament Syntax. Zondervan, 2000.

Beekman, John and John Callow. Translating the Word of God. Zondervan, 1978.

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.

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

Young, Richard A. Intermediate New Testament Greek: A Linguistic and Exegetical Approach. Broadman & Holman, 1994.

Zerwick, Maximilian. Biblical Greek. Scripta Pontificii Instituti Biblici, 1963.

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