[B-Greek] Greek for laymen

Joseph Weaks j.weaks at tcu.edu
Mon Mar 8 13:07:38 EST 2004


On Mar 8, 2004, at 10:54 AM, Polycarp66 at aol.com wrote:
> 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...

Thanks for this good example of pining. :) I echo the longing for 
seminarians to make Greek an emphasis, but it's simply not realistic. 
Ministers are called to be versed in so many more and varied duties 
now, including specialized ministries and administrations, finances, 
all kinds of ecclesiological models, etc., that it's even 
understandable. As teachers, we must do with them what we can. Inspire 
what we can. Warn what we can.

And on another point:

On Mar 8, 2004, at 9:47 AM, waldo slusher wrote:
> learning a
> little Greek produces no benefit. Every comment one
> can make after learning a little Greek is "this is
> what I've been told."

I recall this precise sentiment being asserted a few years ago when 
this discussion arose, and it simply ignores the human process of 
learning. Discovery of a point in an experiential manner has a more 
profound impact than being told something. A little Greek can posess 
just enough competency to "go along for the ride" in a process of 
learning. If in a one hour session of looking at Greek, a student is 
guided through a process of co-discovery that AGAPAW and PHILEW can be 
used synonymously, it creates a small increase in understanding 
regarding the language of the NT in an entirely different way than 
simply being told that it is the case. Further, in the intro NT Greek 
classes I've taught, it takes very little Greek before the students 
reach a point of discernment to be wary when they hear sermons based 
upon an appeal to the original Greek.
The statement "learning a little Greek produces no benefit" is not 
arrogant or hyperbole or even nostalgia, it's silly.

Cheers,
Joe

**************************************************************
Rev. Joseph A. Weaks
Pastor, Bethany Christian Church, Dallas
Leander Keck Fellow of New Testament Studies, Brite Divinity School, 
TCU, Ft. Worth
j.weaks at tcu.edu
**************************************************************



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