[B-Greek] Greek for laymen

Polycarp66 at aol.com Polycarp66 at aol.com
Mon Mar 8 11:54:20 EST 2004


In a message dated 3/8/2004 11:29:42 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
j.weaks at tcu.edu writes:
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.
___________

Perhaps this reveals part of the problem.  When I entered college the 
expectation was that ALL pre-seminary students would be Greek majors.  Then when I 
was in seminary we had yet more Greek.  Even so, I wouldn't vouch for the 
abilities of some of my fellow students to truly understand the language without 
some very basic helps.  If it were insisted that those planing to step into a 
pulpit MUST learn Greek beyond the "see Spot run" stage, we might have less 
nonsense being proclaimed from the pulpit.  I remember a year or two ago hearing 
our asst. rector expoun on the LOGOS in John 1 and sat there wincing at what I 
was hearing.  I have a distinct tendency when I hear "the Greek says" or "the 
Hebrew says" to think "Uh Oh, here it comes -- drivel."

gfsomsel



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