Fall 2012–Spring 2013/Pasadena

LG512A/B/C

Lappenga

LG512A/B/C: BEGINNING GREEK. Benjamin J. Lappenga.

DESCRIPTION: This three-quarter course is designed to give students a foundational knowledge of the essential grammar of New Testament (Koine) Greek, including an introduction to morphology, syntax, and other matters of beginning Greek grammar. Students registering for LG512A must plan to continue with parts B and C of the series, held in the Winter and Spring quarters respectively.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: A working knowledge of the original language of the New Testament will equip students with tools for informed interpretation of the Bible. Students who successfully complete this course should, with the help of certain tools, be able to consult the Greek text as part of the exegetical task, which in turn will enhance their own study of the Bible, teaching, and sermon preparation.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully completing all three quarters of this course will have demonstrated the ability to (1) read aloud in Greek and to write legibly in its standard script; (2) comprehend basic vocabulary; (3) identify (i.e., to parse) various forms of the language including most regular forms and many of the irregular but frequent forms of the articles, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and verbs that occur in the Greek New Testament; (4) understand and explain basic Greek grammar and syntax; (5) use standard exegetical tools in translating and analyzing the original language; (6) translate basic texts in the original language.

COURSE FORMAT: The class meets twice each week for two-hour sessions.

REQUIRED READING:

Your choice of one of the following Greek New Testaments:

Aland, K., et al. The Greek New Testament. 4th rev. ed. Stuttgart: United Bible Societies, 1993. 932 pages. ISBN: 9783438051103. Publ. Price: $43.99. OR

Nestle, E., and K. Aland. Novum Testamentum Graece (Nestle-Aland GNT). 27th ed. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1993. 826 pages. ISBN: 9783438051004. Publ. price: $40.99.

[N.B.: other editions of the UBS4/NA27, including electronic versions and Reader’s Editions, are permissible, but access to the textual apparatus, marginal notes, and other resources found in the standard print editions may be required during the course.]

Danker, F. W. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 3rd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000 [BDAG]. 1188 pages. ISBN: 9780226039336. Publ. Price: $165.00. [N.B.: electronic versions of BDAG with full text and pagination are also permissible.]

Mounce, William D. Basics of Biblical Greek: Grammar. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009. 448 pages. ISBN: 9780310287681. Publ. Price: $49.99.

________. Basics of Biblical Greek: Workbook. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009. 240 pages. ISBN: 9780310287674. Publ. Price: $22.99.

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