Summer 2013/Pasadena

LG512

Lappenga

LG512: BEGINNING GREEK. Benjamin J. Lappenga.

DESCRIPTION: This 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.

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 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 course meets three times each week for four-hour sessions.

REQUIRED READING:

Your choice of ONE of the following Greek New Testaments: Aland, K., et al. The Greek New Testament. 4th ed. United Bible Societies, 1993 [UBS⁴]. ISBN: 978-3438051103, Pub. Price $43.99; ORNestle, E., and K. Aland. Novum Testamentum Graece. 28th ed. Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2012 [NA²⁸]. ISBN: 978-3438051400, Pub. Price $40.99; OR Nestle, E., and K. Aland. Novum Testamentum Graece. 27th ed. Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1993 [NA²⁷]. ISBN: 978-3438051004, Pub. Price $40.99. [N.B.: electronic versions of UBS⁴ / NA²⁸/ NA²⁷ are permissible and encouraged]

Danker, F. W. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 3rd ed. University of Chicago Press, 2000 [BDAG]. ISBN: 978-0226039336, Publ. Price $165.00.

[N.B.: electronic versions of BDAG with full text and pagination are permissible and encouraged]

Mounce, William D. Basics of Biblical Greek: Grammar. 3rd ed. Zondervan, 2009. ISBN: 978-0310287681, Publ. Price $49.99 [448 pp. assigned].

________. Basics of Biblical Greek: Workbook. 3rd ed. Zondervan, 2009. ISBN: 978-0310287674, Publ. Price $22.99 [240 pp. assigned].

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.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Black, D. A. It’s Still Greek to Me: An Easy-to-Understand Guide to Intermediate Greek. Baker Academic, 1998. ISBN: 978-0801021817, Publ. Price $21.99.

Metzger, Bruce M. Lexical Aids for Students of New Testament Greek. 3rd ed. Baker Academic, 1998. ISBN: 978-0801021800, Publ. Price $12.99.

Wallace, Daniel B. Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics: An Exegetical Syntax of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997. 864 pages. ISBN: 978-0310218951, Publ. Price $44.99.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: The student is expected to attend each class session and to have completed the assignments prior to the class session. The course grade will be based on:

1. Homework and class participation (20%);

2. Daily quizzes (20%);

3. And four exams (15% each = 60%).

PREREQUISITES: Good standing. No audits.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: The course meets the MDiv core requirement in Greek (GRK).

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.