DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to give the student a basic knowledge of the essential grammar of New Testament Greek as well as an introduction to morphology, syntax and other matters of intermediate grammar. It is an intensive course, the equivalent of three courses meeting in one quarter. It combines the deductive approach with an inductive study from the text of the New Testament.

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

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Understanding the original language of the New Testament is one of the most basic elements in interpreting the meaning of its various texts. Upon completion of this course, students should be equipped, with the help of various resources, to consult the Greek text as part of the exegetical task, and should be able to form critical judgments regarding theological and exegetical positions involving some feature of the Greek text.

COURSE FORMAT: The course meets three times each week for four hours.

REQUIRED READING:

Aland, K. et al. eds. The Greek New Testament. 4th rev. ed. with dictionary. 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. . . . Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.

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

_________. Basics of Biblical Greek: Workbook. 2d ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.

Zerwick, M. and M. Grosvenor. A Grammatical Analysis of the Greek New Testament. 4th ed. Rome: Biblical Institute Press, 1993.

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

Wallace, Daniel B. Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics: An Exegetical Syntax of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996.

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