[B-Greek] hi everyone
Barry
nebarry at verizon.net
Wed Aug 17 06:13:35 EDT 2005
----- Original Message -----
From: "Barbara D. Colt " <babc2 at comcast.net>
To: <b-greek at lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 16, 2005 8:08 PM
Subject: Re: [B-Greek] hi everyone
> Most books have their strong points and weak points.
>
> I used the Dobson book, among others, and the thing I especially like about
> it is that every time it introduces anything new, it not only explains and
> gives examples, but it immediately gives half a dozen or so exercises on
> that point. This helps you to be sure you've understood and helps you to
> fix it in your mind.
>
> What I didn't like was that the author seems to be afraid he'll scare the
> student off if he mentions a gramatical term. Eventually, of course, he
> has to, but he's nearly half way through the book before he calls anything
> by its right name. I find that annoying.
>
>
> "New Testament Greek for Beginners" by Machen is quite old, from the 20's,
> I think, so it's a good old-fashioned grammar text which suits me fine but
> is regarded with horror by many.
>
>
> There's my 2 worth. I'll leave the rest for those who know them.
I taught out of Machen for 4 years, and and am not one of those who regard it
with horror: it simply needs help from the teacher at certain points -- I
understand that a number of weaknesses have been resolved in the McCartney
revision, though I have yet to see that text.
Let me just expand on your point: if one cannot be in a classroom situation, I
recommend using several beginning grammars, not just one. That is a reasonable
substitute for the type of paraphrasing one might hear from teachers and
classmates as concepts are discussed. Try to get texts that have answer keys to
the exercises, but work very hard at reading the exercises before you check the
answers...
N.E. Barry Hofstetter
Adjunct Faculty, The Center for Urban Theological Studies
Philadelphia, PA
http://www.cuts.edu
Visiting Faculty, Reformed Theological Seminary
Washington, D.C.
http://www.rts.edu/campuses/washington_dc/index.cfm
And me:
http://mysite.verizon.net/nebarry/
Opinions expressed by author of this message do not necessarily reflect the
opinions of the institutions listed above...
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