Instructor

James L. Boyce - 651-641-3252

Summer Office: Bockman Hall 119

www.luthersem.edu/jboyce/

jboyce@luthersem.edu

 

Mon - Fri:  8:00 - 12:00

Classroom: Northwestern Hall Auditorium

July 21-25: Bockman Hall 116

(MS Word .doc Printer Version of Syllabus)

 

GRADING OPTION (see Catalog): If a letter grade and/or written evaluation is desired for the course, you are to notify the instructor within the first two weeks of the term.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION  

 

An Introduction to Greek grammar and syntax. Reading and analysis of selected New Testament texts explores the nature of translation and its relations to interpretation. Help is given in effective us of resources such as grammars, lexicons, concordances, parsing guides, and interlinears. Mastery of basic vocabulary is stressed. (Catalog)

 

OBJECTIVES

 

·         Introduction to basic Greek grammar and syntax.

·         Careful work in original language with New Testament texts selected for their central importance.

·         Ability to relate issues of interpretation to the interrelationship of syntax and meaning.

·         Sensitivity to the implications of the contextuality of language and meaning in reading biblical texts

·         Facility in the use of resources for work with biblical texts in the original language: lexicons, concordances, parsing guides, interlinears,etc.

 

PART I: INTRODUCTION TO BASIC GRAMMAR -

 

The first portion of the course focuses on the introduction to Greek grammar and syntax provided by the introductory text,. It then progresses to application of this basic grammar to the reading of the text of the First Epistle of John.  Progress is monitored by periodic take-home Worksheets and Review Quizzes as outlined in the Course Schedule.

 

Students are also responsible for the mastery of a basic New Testament Greek vocabulary consisting of those words that occur 50 or more times in the NT. Mastery will be encouraged and monitored in two ways. In Part I of the course, there will be a series of 4 weekly quizzes over a portion of the vocabulary that roughly parallels the work in the introductory text. In Part II of the course, there will be a summary vocabulary quiz over the entire list. See course Schedule.

 

REQUIRED TEXTS FOR PART I (Introduction to Basic Grammar)

•James Boyce, Let's Read Greek (2002) with supplementary exercises

•James Boyce, Grammar Notes for New Testament Greek

Both available through Luther Seminary Duplicating Services (Ground Floor, Gullixson Hall)

 

•Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece, 27^th ed. LS Book Store

Recommended Software:

• Bibleworks 7.0  This powerful Bible Software tool useful for searches and grammatical help is installed on the Luther Seminary Network (It is accessible on campus in all the computer labs, and also can be accessed anywhere off campus through HomeLab)

(Also available through Luther Seminary Book Store)

• "Greek Tutor" multi-media CD Rom (see above; Parsons Technology)
• "Mastering New Testament Greek: An Intermediate Guide for Beginners" CD Rom; introductory lessons, grammar, electronic books (Baker; www.bakeracademic.com)
• Logos Bible Software (Libronix)
•  

(For further Bible Software information see selected listing on my web site or NTGateway site)

 

Internet Resources:

Basic English Grammar Helps

• See CCCF Guide to Grammar & Writing: See especially: Definitions of Basic Sentence Parts/Functions:                http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/definitions.htm  

• See also Resources for English Grammar from the Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL) http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ See especially "Resources for Writers" > "Handouts"

 

Audio resources accompanying the Let's Read Greek  text: see web site of James L. Boyce at  http://www.luthersem.edu/jboyce

 

Vocabulary Drills for Basic Vocabulary:

The best resource is to use the Vocabulary Tool included in Bibleworks 7.0; see helps on my web site

There are also some drills on Luther Seminary web site at   http://resources.luthersem.edu/greek/exam/  but these are old, have some errors, and are no longer technically supported.

 

"Resources for Learning New Testament Greek" by Corey Keating

Main Web Site http://www.ntgreek.org 

Table of Contents:

            http://www.ntgreek.org/table_of_contents.htm

Menu

http://www.ntgreek.org/index.html

http://www.ntgreek.org/learn_nt_greek/grkindex.htm

Grammars

            http://www.ntgreek.org/books/grambook.htm

References

            http://www.ntgreek.org/books/refbook.htm

 

Greek NT Related Web Sites, by Dr. Mark Goodacre, University of Birmingham

Good resource & links; also check out home page for NT studies in general)

         http://www.ntgateway.com/greek/

 

Mounce Biblical Greek Web site:

            http://www.teknia.com

 

PART II: READING NEW TESTAMENT TEXTS.

This portion of the course develops proficiency in the application of grammar and syntax to the analysis and reading of selected NT texts. It fosters introductory skills in the use of lexical tools and in the practice of textual criticism, and introduces some of the range of resources that are available for study of the biblical text in the original language.

 

In this second portion of the course, each student will be responsible for assigned work in the following areas:

 

A. Grammar   

A portion of class sessions will be devoted to continuing increase in facility in grammar and syntax through reading and translation of biblical texts following the outline on the Course Schedule. The primary class resource for this review will be Boyce, Grammar Notes. Further resources: the introductory text Let's Read Greek (check the index), any standard introduction to New Testament Greek, the resources listed below, and/or Internet Resources listed above.

 

GN=Boyce, Grammar Notes; DM=Dana,Mantey, Manual Grammar; BD=Blass, Debrunner, Greek Grammar;  N=H.P.V. Nunn, Short Syntax; K=Kubo, Reader's Lexicon; G=J. Harold Greenlee, A Concise Exegetical Grammar

 

Syntax of Verbs:

	Indicative	GN,3‑7		DM,168,176‑208; BD,161‑172,175‑79; N,61‑7; K,287‑95; G,6‑9,46‑51
	Subjunctive	GN,17‑20		DM,170‑172; BD,183‑94; N,82‑86; K, 296‑8; G,47
	Conditions	GN,21‑22		DM, 286‑290; BD,182,188‑191; N,116‑119,121; G,62‑3
	Participle	GN,9‑13		DM,220‑233; BD,212‑20; N,121‑126; K,303‑306; G,54‑9
	Infinitive	GN,14‑16		DM,208‑219; BD,196‑211; N,87‑103; K,301f.; G,52‑4
	Imperative	GN,8		DM,174‑176; BD,195‑196; N,83; K,299f.
	Clause Types	handout		DM,Table of Contents,Division III; N, 103‑120; G,59‑67

 

Syntax of Adjectives and Cases:

	Adj. Position	GN,1‑2		BD,125‑126; G,12‑14,44
	Nominative	handout		DM,65‑71; BD, 79‑80; N,37; G,24
	Genitive	GN,23‑26		DM,72‑83; BD,89‑100; N,42‑46; G,24‑7
	Dative	GN,27‑29		DM,83‑91; BD,100‑109; N,46‑48; G,27‑8
	Accusative	GN,31‑32		DM,91‑95; BD,82‑99; N,39‑41; G,28‑9

 

B. Reading and Translation     Each student will be expected to prepare and translate the following passages for daily class sessions as assigned (Total, approximately 180 verses)

Mark (selections, see Course Schedule) Luke 7:36-50; 24

Romans (selections, see Course Schedule) Philemon

 

C. Vocabulary    

Each student will be expected to demonstrate mastery of the same basic New Testament Greek vocabulary worked on during Part I of the course through a summary examination over these approximately 300 words. A score of at least 80% will be necessary to satisfy this area of proficiency. See Course Schedule

 

D. Lexicon, Concordance, and other Tools    

Some class lecture time and written assignments will focus on increasing familiarity with the scope and use of various tools for study of the Greek text: in particular exercises introducing the use of the Bauer, Danker, Arndt, Gingrich,  Lexicon (BDAG, 3rd ed) (Parts I and II) and the use of a Greek Concordance. Use of these tools for scriptural study will be also be addressed in general class discussion. See Course Schedule and due dates.

 

E. Textual Criticism     

Several class periods will be given to introduction and exercises in the practice of textual criticism. Attention will be given to issues of the manuscript tradition on which the Greek text of the NT is based and the issues raised by the practice of reconstruction of a textual basis for translation and interpretation.  In connection with this exercise students are to complete the following:

1.         READ: Bruce M. Metzger, The Text of the New Testament p. 207-246
OR Eldon Jay Epp “Ancient Texts and Versions of the New Testament” in New Interpreter’s Bible. Vol. VIII, p. 1-11
OR the following online introduction at:  http://www.skypoint.com/~waltzmn/intro.html (13 pgs.)

            OR also check other links at http://www.ntgateway.com/textcrit.htm

            SKIM THROUGH: Nestle-Aland, Novum Testamentum Graece, Introduction

 

2.         Introduction to and examples of the practice of textual analysis will be given in a class presentation. See Course Schedule. For this presentation online, see http://www.luthersem.edu/jboyce/TextCrit/

3.         Textual Criticism Assignment. See Course Schedule for due date.

            Examine the textual situation of Mark 1:1-3. Focus on the two variations -- "son of God" and "in Isaiah the prophet," and make a list of the various options and their manuscript support, and evaluate them as to "external" and "internal" considerations following the process outlined in class lecture. We will evaluate these variations together considering what difference they make in the reading and understanding the text.

4.         Study handout "Explanation of Signs"  There will be a brief take-home quiz over these signs, specifically the sections: "Critical Signs in the Text" and "Manuscript Witness Information." See Course Schedule.

 

F. Examinations    

In Part II, there will be two take-home examinations, each covering assigned reading in Mark and Luke and focusing on ability to explain grammatical constructions in the Greek text, to translate into sensible English, and to make use of grammatical and lexical tools for analysis and explanation of the biblical text. These will be distributed in class and due according to the dates noted on the Course Schedule.

 

The final examination will consist of a take-home exercise of translation and interpretation (see "Sample") to be distributed on Monday, August 11, and to be completed by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 22.

 

G. Recommended Background Reading.

The following articles on the character of "Koine" or New Testament Greek are recommended as background reading: (Both available in Library Reading Room)

                        E.C. Colwell,"Greek Language," Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible, Vol.II., pp. 479‑487. or

                        Lane C. McGaughy, "Greek, New Testament," Harper's Bible Dictionary, 359-361. or
                        Michael Palmer "History of the Greek Languge" on the web at http://www.greek-language.com/historyofgreek/

 

H. Required Texts for Part II (Reading NT Texts)

*Bauer, Walter. Greek‑English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. ed. by Danker, Arndt, Gingrich, 3rd ed, (2nd ed.also OK if available; this volume is also available in digital format with Bibleworks Bible software, or with Libronix (Logos) Bible software)

Boyce, James. "Grammar Notes for New Testament Greek." Xeroxed.

*Nestle,E. and Aland, K. Novum Testamentum Graece  (26th or 27th edition)

The following texts are an EITHER/OR OPTION:

EITHER: Kohlenberger, John, et al. Exhaustive Concordance to the Greek New Testament (may not be available)

 OR: Kohlenberger, John; Goodrick and Swanson, The Greek-English Concordance to the New Testament (NIV)

 OR: Bible Software which allows concordance work with the Greek text

 

I. Recommended Resources (also see handout-"Lexical and Grammatical Tools")

Alsop, John R., An Index to the Revised Bauer‑Arndt Gingrich Greek Lexicon (keyed to 2nd edition only)

Blass, F. and Debrunner, A. A Greek Grammar of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature.

Dana, H.E. and Mantey, Julius. A Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament.

Greenlee, J. Harold, A Concise Exegetical Grammar of New Testament Greek

Kubo, Sakae. A Reader's Greek‑English Lexicon of the New Testament.

*Louw, J.P. and Nida, E.A. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains

*MacDonald, William G. Greek Enchiridion

Metzger, B.M. Lexical Aids for Students of New Testament Greek.

Mounce, William D., The Analytical Lexicon to the Greek New Testament

Mounce, William D., Biblical Greek Laminated Study Guide

Moulton and Geden. Concordance to the Greek New Testament.

Mueller, Walter, Grammatical Aids for Students of New Testament Greek

Nunn, H.P.V. A Short Syntax of New Testament Greek.

Rogers, Cleon, Jr & Cleon Rogers III. The New Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek New Testament.

Zerwick, M. Grammar of New Testament Greek.

Zerwick, M. and M. Grosvenor. A Grammatical Analysis of the Greek New Testament.

*Indicates digital text included in Bibleworks 7.0
 

Greek - Summer Session - 2008

Tentative Class Schedule - July 7 - August 22