New Testament Greek I

A Study of the Language of the New Testament and its Use for Interpreting the Text

NEW START DATE 9/17 !

Monday evenings, 6:30-8:30 beginning Sept 17 (11 week series)
Instructor: Rev. Chip M. Anderson
Location: Trinity Church, 300 North Benson Road, Fairfield CT 06824
The New England School of Theology

Serious students of the Bible who are interested to step it up a notch in their knowledge of the New Testament will benefit from learning the basics of New Testament Greek. This course will give the self-learner and motivated student of the Bible the basics for understanding the original text of the New Testament and will prepare Bible students to read and study the Greek text of First John (in the second semester).  This course will be beneficial to preachers and Bible study leaders as they seek to interpret the Bible for others.

A study of New Testament Greek grammar, focusing on learning vocabulary and basic forms necessary to read and study the Greek New Testament.  The student will begin to develop skills to read and exegete the New Testament in the original language.

Course Rationale

With a high view of inspiration and the inerrancy of Scripture among Evangelicals, it is a curious thing that there is a low view of interpretation. There continues to be a strong emphasis on application, however not on interpretation, because, for many Christians, the Bible interprets itself.  The discipline of Biblical interpretation is vastly ignored by the local church and its lay-leaders, and is immensely needed today as the authority of the Bible and the Church’s influence have lost their place in society.  Thus, a course is needed that introduces future church leaders, as well as, local church leaders to the discipline of biblical exegesis.  This course introduces the student to the first step in the discipline of Bible exegesis: an introduction to basic Greek grammar for reading and studying the New Testament in the original Greek language.

Course Goals and Objectives

• The student will demonstrate an understanding of the forms and basic grammatical units of New Testament Greek
• The student will learn approximately 250 Greek words that occur in the New Testament
• The student will demonstrate a clear understanding of the task of translating New Testament Greek into reasonably clear English
• The student will begin to value exegesis for effective and faithful communication of biblical truth

Course Text Books

• William Mounce, The Basics of Biblical Greek Grammar. Third Edition.  (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009).
• William Mounce, The Basics of Biblical Greek Workbook. Third Edition. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009).
• The Greek New Testament, UBS 4^th edition (NOTE: After course begins)

Why Study New Testament Greek?  Why pursue the disciple of exegesis?

•  “In the measure that we love the Gospel, so let us place a strong emphasis on the languages.  For it was not without reason God wrote the Scriptures in two languages, the Old Testament in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek.  That language which God did not despise but rather choose above all others for His Word is the language which we also should honor above all others.  It is a sin and shame that we do not learn this language of our Book, especially since God has provided us people and books, and gives us all kinds of things which both help us with this task and at the same time stimulates us to do this” (Martin Luther, Reformer, Theologian, 1524).

• Not every Christian needs to learn the original languages, but surely those who stand in the place of God as preachers, bible study leaders, church leaders ought to know how to exegete the original text, the word of God.

• All translations are interpretation; therefore, translations are adequate, but not sufficient.  This is why some need to know how to interpret out of the original text.  When one holds a text of the Greek New Testament—that is the New Testament; all else is translation and all translation is interpretation.

• The Church is weakened in every generation that does not know the text. Without the passing on the knowledge of the original language, the Church is easily held captive to liberal and fanciful interpretations of the Sacred text.

• A working knowledge of the original language enables the reader and interpreter to be free from being held captive by what others say the text says.

• Throughout Church history, the renewal of the Church and the reformation of Christianity have often been accompanied by a renewal in the original text of Scripture.

• The task of exegesis is the task of understanding, not only the words, but also the intentions of the original author.  Learning New Testament Greek grammar begins the exegetical journey.

• The goal of this course is not the mastery of a language—although important—but gaining a working knowledge of New Testament Greek in order to be better prepared to exegete the original text.

• One cannot truly understand the intentions of a New Testament author unless the reader/interpreter can follow the grammar and syntax of the author’s original discourse.

• Thus, exegesis is the hub that links the content and intentions of the biblical author to the understanding and knowledge of the one seeking to know the Word of the text: Greek grammar is only the starting place.

Assignments and Evaluation

Quizzes and Tests are Cumulative in Nature

• § Weekly Vocabulary Quizzes (30%)
• § Weekly Grammar Quizzes (30%)
• § Three Take Home Exams (15%)
• § Final Exam (25%)
• § Participation and Effort (10%)

There are 110 possible points; the “Participation and Effort” can raise the students final grade up to 10%.

Class Schedule

NOTE: No class days—Monday, Oct 10; and Monday, Oct. 31.