[B-Greek] NT Greek Paedogogy redux

Steve Westfall steve.westfall at comcast.net
Fri Aug 10 20:45:49 EDT 2007


John,

Starting with Classical Greek rather than Koine doesn't have to empty your
class.  I think it all depends on how it is presented, and whether one
ignores Koine completely for the time being, or judiciously works it in
alongside the Attic.  As I've mentioned here previously, I'm teaching a
beginning Greek class to some adults at my church, and after I explained to
them the benefits of beginning with Classical rather than Koine, they were
amenable to that approach.  It probably helps that the textbook we use,
Athenaze, although focusing on Classical Greek, includes not only Classical
but also Koine (primarily NT) readings in almost every chapter.  I also
supplement this with a weekly handout containing the text from one of that
week's NT lectionary readings, including glosses where necessary because of
their stage of learning.  So, even though they are mainly learning the
language through Classical, they are getting enough Koine to whet their
appetites and help them realize that they are making progress toward their
goal of reading the New Testament with understanding.

Steve Westfall

-----Original Message-----
From: b-greek-bounces at lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:b-greek-bounces at lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of John M. Linebarger
Sent: Friday, August 10, 2007 9:31 AM
To: b-greek at lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: [B-Greek] NT Greek Paedogogy redux

. . . And speaking from experience, it is hard enough to convince a church
Sunday School class to devote at least an hour a day to learning Koine
Greek; if I were to suggest learning Attic Greek first, I'd have nobody left
in my class.  They (and me too) want to get into the New Testament as
quickly as possible, and desire to devote their energies to the study of
God's word.

. . .

John M. Linebarger
Albuquerque, New Mexico
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