Syntax Grammars

George Goolde goolde at mtnempire.net
Wed Dec 8 21:02:18 EST 1999


Some of us would select a grammar largely because it equips the student to 
understand biblical Greek.  I know this may be a "shortsighted" approach to 
some of you.  But many of us study Greek only to translate and apply the 
Word of God rather than out of a love for and appreciation of classical 
languages.

A case in point:  There was a question a few posts back about the grammar 
of Eugene VanNess Goetchius.  I used that grammar as a student and hated it 
because there was so much in it designed for linguists.  I have nothing bad 
to say about linguists; I just wasn't trying to be one!

That is why I personally prefer an eight case grammar to a five case 
one.  I think it is a strong step in the right direction toward teaching 
students to understand their Bibles.  The main idea of the ablative is not 
the same as the main idea of the genitive whether or not we chose to 
identify them as separate cases or uses of one case.

I guess I am sort of arguing for an "engineering" approach rather than a 
"liberal arts" approach to the study of Greek.

Maybe we need more than one "standard grammar," depending on our approach 
and purpose for studying.

George


George A. Goolde
Professor, Bible and Theology
Southern California Bible College & Seminary
El Cajon, California

goolde at mtnempire.net



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