Who is welcome on B-Greek?
Carl W. Conrad
cwconrad at artsci.wustl.edu
Sun Dec 19 16:51:10 EST 1999
At 11:20 AM -0600 12/19/99, Steven Craig Miller wrote:
>
>Although I am myself a committed Christian, it is not my understanding
>(perhaps I'm mistaken) that one had to be a Christian to participate in
>this list. My understanding (and please correct me if I'm wrong) was that
>one only needed to have a somewhat academic interest in biblical Greek. It
>has been my personal experience (for seven years I was section leader for
>the scholarship section on a CompuServe religious issues forum) that there
>are many non-Christians who have serious interests in studying Christianity
>and her scriptures. After all, Christianity has been the dominate religion
>in Western civilization for the last two millennia. That should be reason
>enough for outsiders to take some interest in learning about Christianity.
The simple answer is: NO, one need not be a Christian to participate in
B-Greek. Lest there be any doubt on this issue, let me cite the relevant
parts of the FAQ which is sent out automatically to all new subscribers and
which is posted here on the list from time to time The first relevant part
is right at the beginning:
"A. DESCRIPTION OF THE LIST
"1. Purpose: B-GREEK is an electronic conference designed to foster
communication concerning the scholarly study of the Greek Bible and related
Jewish and Christian Greek texts, matters of concern to beginning and
advanced students of Biblical Greek such as textbooks, reference works,
bibliography and research tools, with a fundamental focus on understanding
the Greek text of the Bible. Anyone interested in New Testament Studies is
invited to subscribe, but the list will assume at least a working knowledge
of Biblical Greek.
"2. The B-Greek Community: B-Greek was started by David Marotta at the
the Center for Christian Study, an independent Christian ministry at the
University of Virginia. In 1998, David asked to step down as list owner. We
are grateful to David for his vision of a forum where the Greek text and
language of the Bible are discussed in detail by an eclectic group of
beginning students and veteran teachers, laymen and clergy, conservatives
and liberals, earnest inquirers and academic scholars - all equally
committed to probing the Biblical text in the original Koine, and jointly
exploring the mysteries and probabilities of Biblical Greek morphology and
syntax."
And a second relevant part is deeper down in the FAQ:
"D. Netiquette:
"1. Respectful discourse: Those who participate in the conference
represent a wide range of theological and denominational perspectives,
perhaps even including some whose interests are purely academic. Deep
religious convictions surely characterize many, perhaps most, of the
list-participants, and some of these convictions bear directly upon how the
Biblical text is to be understood. At the core of our discussion, however,
is not what our convictions are but what the Greek text may legitimately be
understood to mean. If discussion of this nature is to succeed, proper
respect and courtesy to other list members is important. While scholarly
debate, including disagreement, is encouraged as a goal of this conference,
attacks upon the character, intelligence, or faith of those participating
are not acceptable. Criticism must focus upon the arguments of others; it
may not be directed to the individual. Those who violate this policy will
be contacted politely by the B-Greek staff and requested to conform to
these guidelines. Those who continue to violate the policy will no longer
be welcome in the conference.
"2. It is considered to be in very poor taste to post to the list
items that have been sent off list. Before doing so always consult the
author to see if this is acceptable. Complaints from authors of messages
that have been posted to the list without their consent will be reviewed by
the BG Staff and appropriate action will be taken, if necessary.
"3. No advertisements or job-postings are allowed without the approval
of the list-owner, Jonathan Robie <jwrobie at mindspring.com>. Please clear
your requests before posting. Those directly related to the subject matter
of B-GREEK will probably be approved.
"4. Signatures: It is a courtesy expected of B-Greek subscribers that
messages should indicate, at least in the "From" header, the personal name
as well as the e-address, or else should at least sign their posts with
personal names. Indications of the locality from which they write would
help personalize further for others the sender of a message. Academic or
institutional information may be appended also, but there is no privilege
associated with any academic or institutional status so-indicated."
The full text of the FAQ, which includes further information on the list
administration, on subscribing and unsubscribing and a guide to
transliteration schemes commonly used on B-Greek, may be viewed at the
list's home site:
http://metalab.unc.edu/bgreek/
Carl W. Conrad
Co-Chair, B-Greek List
Department of Classics, Washington University
One Brookings Drive/St. Louis, MO, USA 63130/(314) 935-4018
Home: 7222 Colgate Ave./St. Louis, MO 63130/(314) 726-5649
cwconrad at artsci.wustl.edu OR cwconrad at ioa.com
WWW: http://www.artsci.wustl.edu/~cwconrad/
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