GREEK READING AND SYNTAX

BUILDING ON THE BASE FOR EXEGESIS

NTS 509

 

Summer 2004

 

                                                    James B. De Young, Instructor

 

WESTERN SEMINARY

Portland, Oregon

 

 

                                                        COURSE DESCRIPTION

 

Building upon the foundation of grammar and vocabulary, you will read substantial portions of theologically significant passages in all genres of the literature of the New Testament in order to discover the value of the Greek New Testament for theological thinking and Christian living.  To these passages you will apply the essentials of Greek syntax with a view to gaining an ability to think syntactically when reading the text and for solving significant doctrinal issues practical to spiritual life and ministry.  3 hours plus 1 hour lab.

 

 

                                                                COURSE GOAL

 

The purpose of this course is to increase facility in translating the Greek text and understanding Greek syntax as the basis for growing in the knowledge of God and applying His truth as revealed in the Greek New Testament to life and ministry.

 

 

                                                         COURSE OBJECTIVES

 

1.         You will increase your knowledge of Greek vocabulary, grammar, and syntax as a

            foundation for doing exegesis and theology by:

 

a.             translating the Scripture portions;

b.            studying a standard text in syntax;

c.             classroom discussion and homework assignments.

 

2.    You will increase your skill in translating and interacting theologically with the Greek text by translating selections of theologically significant passages from the Greek text based upon John 14-17.

 

3.    You will be able to use effectively the best print and electronic tools to facilitate your translation and life-long use of the Greek text.

 

 

4.         You will come to know God better and grow in spirituality by practicing the spiritual disciplines of meditation, prayer, study, and others on the basis of the Greek text.

 

a.         You will practice, with prayer, a method of reflection and of meditation for processing truth from the passages you read.

b.                  You will briefly record your processing and results in a journal.

 

5.        You will grow in your understanding of the major doctrines of Scripture.

 

 

 

                                                     COURSE REQUIREMENTS

 

1.                  Translating theologically significant passages based on the narrative of John 14-17, utilizing any tools necessary.  In class you will translate orally these passages from your written translation (2.5 hrs/lesson; 100 points/lesson  x 15 lessons = 1500 pts total).

 

2.                  Answering briefly questions for the “heart and mind” and “class discussion” questions.

 

3.                  Reading the assigned portion of syntax from Brooks-Winbery and corresponding sections from Wallace as shown on the syllabus  (.5 hrs/lesson; 20 points/lesson x 15 = 300 pts).

 

4.                  Completing form and function assignments for grading (2 hrs/lesson; approximately 50 pts/lesson  x 15 = 750 pts).

 

5.                  Keeping a journal of the insights pertinent to faith and practice gained by prayer, meditation and study (.5 hrs/lesson, 20 points/lesson x 15 = 300 pts total).

 

6.                  Keeping a syntax notebook containing:

 

a.             Notes on the functions of various forms as discussed in class;

b.            Notes of the Scriptural examples of the functions; and

            c.         Diagrams of the functions as shown by the instructor.

 

7.                  Spending 1 hour per lesson in a lab session (counts toward the total hours required per lesson).

 

8.                  Spending five to ten minutes per lesson in a computer chat session about this course.

 

9.                  Taking two exams (a midterm and a final) (about 525 points).

 

 

                                                               COURSE TEXTS

 

1.         Required:

 

a.         Greek New Testament (UBS, 4th ed.).

b.            A Syntax Reader of the Greek New Testament (Fifteen Lessons) (De Young)

c.             D. Wallace, Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics

d.            Brooks and Winberry, Syntax of New Testament Greek

 

2.         Recommended:

 

a.             Pershbacher, Refresh Your Greek.

b.            Chapman and Shogren, Greek New Testament Insert

c.             S. Kubo, Reader’s Lexicon

d.            Bible Works computer program

 

                                                            COURSE POLICIES

 

1.         All translations and homework are due on the day they are listed.  Late work unexcused will be penalized.  Late work which is excused may be done as late as one week after return to class without penalty.  After that time it may be penalized unless the student has discussed it with the instructor.

 

2.         Unannounced quizzes on vocabulary are possible.

 

3.         Attendance is required as stated in the catalogue:  no more than 3 class sessions may be missed.

 

4.         Expected ratio of number of hours of homework to number of hours in class is two to one (the one-hour lab counts toward the total number of hours required outside of class).

 

Grading scale:  

 

99-100%         A+

95-98                             A

94-93                             A-

91-92                             B+

88-90                             B

86-87                             B-

84-85                             C+

81-83                             C

79-80                             C-

77-78                             D+

74-76                             D

70-73                             D-

 

COURSE SCHEDULE

 

Passages                                  Teaching                                   Read

June           1                Lesson #1

                                    John 14:1-7                              Truth/Word                              _____                        

Matthew 5:17-20                                                                     _____

2 Timothy 3:14-17                                                                    _____

2 Peter 1:19-21                                                                        _____  

                  2                Cases:  Nom and Voc                                                              _____

                   Wallace, 12-35                                                                        _____

 

                  3                Lesson #2                                                                               

John 14:8-15                            God/Father                               _____          

Acts 17:22-31                                                                          _____

James 1:12-18                                                                          _____

                  4                Cases:  Gen                                                                              _____

                                    Wallace, 72-136 (skan)                                                            _____

 

                  7                Lesson #3

John 14:16-24                          Christ/Son                                _____                        

John 1:4-18                                                                              _____

Colossians 1:15-23                                                                   _____

                     Cases:  Abl, Dat, Loc                                                               _____

 

                  8                Lesson #4

John 14:25-29                          Christ/Holy Spirit                      _____          

Hebrews 1:1-14                                                                       _____

                                    Acts 2:1-4, 14-21                                                                    _____

Case study on Christology?                                                      

                        Cases:  Instr, Acc                                                                     _____

 

                 9                 Lesson #5

John 14:30-31                          Satan/Spiritual Conflict  _____                        

Matthew 4:1-11                                                                       _____             

Ephesians 6:10-20                                                                    _____

                        Prepositions                                                                              _____

 

   10                 Lesson #6

John 15:1-8                              Faith                                         _____                        

Romans 4:1-10                                                             _____

Hebrews 11:1-10                                                                     _____

                                    Adjectives, Pronouns                                                                _____

 

               11                 Lesson #7

John 15:9-17                            Discipleship/Holy Spirit _____            

Matthew 15:10-20                                                                   _____

Romans 8:5-17                                                             _____

                     Article                                                                                      _____

                    Wallace, 255-290                                                                    _____

 

                14                Midterm

 

    15                Lesson #8

John 15:18-27                          Spirit/Church                            _____            

Colossians 3:5-17                                                                     _____

1 Corinthians 14:26-36                                                 _____

                                    Voice, Mood                                                                            _____

 

               16                 Lesson #9

John 16:1-11                            Sin/Humanity                            _____

John 9:24-34, 40-41                                                                _____

Hebrews 2:5-16                                                                       _____

                        Tense:  Present, Imperfect                                                         _____

                                    Wallace, 494-512                                                                    _____

 

                17                Lesson #10

John 16:12-24                          Holy Spirit/Spiritual Gifts           _____            

Ephesians 4:7-16                                                                      _____ 

1 Corinthians 12:1-11                                                               _____

                                    Tense:  Future, Aorist                                                               _____

 

    18                Lesson #11

John 16:25-33                          Church/Sin                               _____

1 Timothy 2:5-15                                                                      _____ 

Romans 5:12-21                                                                       _____

                     Tense:  Perfect, Imperfect                                                         _____

 

 21                Lesson #12

John 17:1-5                              Salvation                                  _____          

John 3:8-21                                                                              _____

Romans 3:21-31                                                                       _____

                   Infinitives                                                                                  _____

 

                 22               Lesson #13

John 17:6-12                            Christ/Advent                           _____

                                    Matthew 24:15-28                                                                   _____

1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:6                                                          _____

                     Participles                                                                                 _____             

 

   23                 Lesson #14

John 17:13-19                          Christ/Advent                           _____

Philippians 2:1-11                                                                     _____

Revelation 19:11-19                                                                 _____

                        Conjunctions, Clauses                                                               _____

   

   24                 Lesson #15

John 17:20-26                          Union in Christ/Holiness            _____

                        Romans 6:1-11                                                             _____

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12                                                 _____

              

    25                Review/Final exam       

 

 

            Pre-class Preparation Options:

           

1.      Begin the translation of the Greek texts required in lesson #1 and 2, etc.

 

2.      Begin reading the main text of Brooks-Winberry as listed of the daily schedule.

 

3.      Read the portions assigned from Wallace.