Details for New Testament Greek 1

While it may come as a shock to some, Jesus did not speak Shakespearean English! Indeed, our New Testament was written in a language different to our own, in a time far removed from our own. The fact is that, while they can be very good, translations of the Bible can only do so much. Inevitably, translation teams have to make interpretive decisions regarding how to bring out the meaning of the Biblical text into the target language, and this can sometimes reflect theological bias or simply miss some of the richness and subtlety present in the original languages. Here at Alphacrucis, we will help to equip you with all the necessary tools to negotiate the sometimes difficult terrain of understanding the NT text on its own terms; not just to be able to bring out simple English (or other) transliterations, but to interact with and grasp the meaning of the original texts. Using innovative linguistic research, we will help you to grasp hold of this extraordinary language so that you can go deeper into the word of God; not just for yourself, but also for all those you minister to.

The unit New Testament Greek 1 is part of the subject area Humanities and is offered as a part of the following Awards: Bachelor of Applied Theology (Korean) (Alphacrucis College (NSW Dept. of Education)), Bachelor of Contemporary Ministry (Alphacrucis College (NSW Dept. of Education)).

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

This course unit provides the students with an introduction to the grammar of NT Greek to prepare them for reading, exegeting and translating the NT.

Subject Content

1. The alphabet, punctuation and syllabification
2. Nouns: cases, the article, prepositions, adjectives and pronouns
3. Verbs: tense, mood, aspect
4. Crasis, accents, contractions
5. Basic syntax and translation

This course may be offered in the following formats

Lectures, discussions, tutorials.

Please consult your course prospectus or enquire about how and when this course will be offered next at Alphacrucis College.

Assessment Methods

Weekly Tests (25%); Translation Assignment (50%, 2000 words); Exam (25%)

Prescribed Text

Mounce, W.D. The Basics of Biblical Greek: Grammar (3rd edition). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009.

Representative References

• Aland, K. and B. The Text of The New Testament: Revised and Enlarged. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1989.
• Allen, W.S. Vox Graeca: The Pronunciation of Classical Greek. 3^rd ed. Cambridge: CUP, 1987.
• Blass, F. and Debrunner, A. A Greek Grammar of the NT and Other Writings. Cambridge: CUP, 1975.
• Jay, E.J. New Testament Greek: An Introductory Grammar. London: SPCK, 1978.
• Machen, J.G. New Testament Greek for Beginners. New York: Macmillan, 1951.
• McKay, K.L. A New Syntax of the Verb in New Testament Greek: An Aspectual Approach.New York: Peter Lang, 1994.
• Moule, C.F.D. An Idiom Book of New Testament Greek. Cambridge: CUP, 1979.
• Mounce, W.D. Basics of Biblical Greek: Workbook. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993.
• Mounce, W.D. The Morphology of Biblical Greek. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994.
• Nunn, H.P.V. The Elements of New Testament Greek. Cambridge: CUP, 8th edn, 1962.
• Powers, W. Learn To Read the Greek New Testament. Sydney: Anzea, 1982.
• Wenham, J.W. The Elements of New Testament Greek. Cambridge: CUP, 1977.
• Zerwick, M. Biblical Greek. Rome: Biblical Institute, 1990.