[B-Greek] Greek for laymen
Joseph Weaks
j.weaks at tcu.edu
Mon Mar 8 11:28:37 EST 2004
I think we're overlooking the reality of learning when we
(understandably) take the hard line on doing a little Greek. I can tell
you that 90% of the students in the Greek class, 1st and second
semester, in the seminary where I was TA for many years (and now will
teach in the Fall) end up a year later looking exactly like these
descriptions of "layfolk" in terms of Greek competency. We can pine all
we like, but most ministers will not take the time to keep up a regular
discipline of Greek reading. So, should we eliminate Greek (and Hebrew)
from our seminary offerings? MH GENOITO.
The vast majority of seminary students who do a Greek component let the
skills fall by the wayside, get rusty. How many old sets of Kittel sit
upon clergy bookshelves, uncracked since 2 years out of seminary? But
even after atrophy of their Greek muscles, their Greek courses have
still "expanded their horizons", offered an ever-important appreciation
for "the broader dimensions of Biblical literature as a phenomenon of
human culture as well as of profound inspiration," and given them "a
feel for Biblical Greek" with the possibility of "a view into a
fascinating vista for lifetime exploration."
I suggest that even a ridiculously inadequate 3 session intro to Greek
in the congregational setting can still be beneficial for a set of
reasonable goals, and should not be shunned less we open up Pandora's
box. If the result is "knowing enough Greek to be dangerous" then fault
lies with the teacher, or the naivety of the student. As an instructor,
this should simply be compensated for by having "lots of illustrations
of goof ups (AGAPAW and PHILEW, etc)" coupled with constant doses of
"humility."
I just passed my Ph.D. Greek exam, where I translated at sight GNT, LXX
and other koine material (they asked for bits from Mark, Revelation,
1Cor, Esther, Nehemiah, and Lucian's Demonax), but I still have a LONG
way to go. If I am unable to increase my competency (unlikely), it was
not all for a loss now.
Medial Greek,
Joe Weaks
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