BLA 613 Advanced Greek: Pauline Literature
Cincinnati Christian University
Fall 2011, M 12:30-3:10
3 hrs
Tom Vollmer
tom.vollmer@gmail.com
RATIONALE
Thorough interpretation of the New Testament requires knowledge of its original
language. The Pauline corpus provides an essential influence upon the development
of early Christianity. In addition, Paul’s writings have been crucial to the
development of Christian theology through the years. A thorough study of one of
Paul’s letters from the Greek text, 2 Corinthians, will prepare students to teach from
this book and apply its principles to contemporary issues.
OBJECTIVES
The student who satisfactorily completes this course should …
1) be able to translate a large portion of 2 Corinthians and other relevant texts
with the assistance of basic reference works;
2) be aware of major exegetical issues associated with 2 Corinthians;
3) be able to discuss the background of 2 Corinthians and major themes in the
Pauline corpus.
LEARNING EXPERIENCES AND ASSIGNMENTS
Class Texts:
Black, David A. It’s Still Greek to Me: An Easy-to-Understand Guide to Intermediate
Greek. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1998.
Mounce, William. The Analytical Lexicon to the Greek New Testament. Grand Rapids,
MI: Zondervan, 1993. Another lexicon can be selected if you prefer, but it
needs to be of comparable quality. A print or electronic lexicon is acceptable.
Vollmer, Thomas A. Translation Pack for BLA 614: Advanced Greek.
Assignments:
1) Translation: Students will translate a large portion of 2 Corinthians and other
texts relevant to class discussion. The texts under consideration will be
located in the Translation Pack. The translations will be made during the
student’s private study time in preparation for group discussion. Throughout
the semester, the instructor will advise students of the approximate dates on
which specific passages will be discussed. Each student must turn in a copy of
the translation work on the date announced. The translations will not be
graded in terms of content, but failing to complete them and turn them in will
negatively impact the student’s grade (scale listed below). Submitted
assignments that reveal a lack of effort, determined by the instructor’s
judgment, will be counted as incomplete. Students who cannot commit the
time and effort necessary to complete the translations are advised not to take
the course.
2) During the semester two tests will be given, one near the middle of the
semester and the other during final exam week. Both tests will include
translation of specific passages of general grammatical and exegetical
questions related to the passages. It is important to note that the translation
sections of the texts may include any passages assigned for translation,
whether or not these passages were actually discussed during class meetings.
3) Word Study: There is a notably high incidence of diakon-terminology in 2
Corinthians (diakoneō 3x, diakonia 12x, diakonos 5x), which together (20x)
account for more than half of Paul’s own usage in his letters (35x) and onefifth of diakon-terminology in the New Testament as a whole (100x).
a) Read the entry for the word diakonia in Danker, Bauer, Arndt and
Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. Take notes on
the key meanings listed.
b) Read the entry for the word diakoniain Liddell and Scott (Jones), A
Greek-English Lexicon. Take notes on the key meanings listed.
c) Find the entry for the word diakoniain Hatch and Redpath, A
Concordance of the Septuagint, and look up some of the Old Testament
texts that use this term (you may use either an English Bible or the
Greek Old Testament). Write a brief summary of the various ways that
the word appears to be used in the Greek OT.
d) Read the word-group entry in Brown, The New International
Dictionary of New Testament Theology. Take notes on the article.
e) Read the word-group entry in Kittel, Theological Dictionary of the New
Testament. Take notes on the article.
f) Based on your research, write a short (1000-1500 word) paper that
outlines the possible meanings of the term diakonia and identifies the
most likely meaning (in your view) of this term in the context of the
Pauline literature, particularly in 2 Corinthians. What are the various
possible meanings of the word in the New Testament? Why the high
incidence of the word in Paul? Why is the diakon-terminology so
important in 2 Corinthians?
g) All notes and the final paper must be typed, and should be submitted
to the instructor via Moodle by October 10.
GRADING AND ATTENDANCE POLICIES
The final grade will be calculated on the following formula:
Attendance and Translation Preparation:
Exam 1:
Exam 2:
Word Study:
30%
30%
30%
10%
As per CCU policy, students who miss more than 25% of scheduled course sessions
will be dropped from the class and will receive a grade of “FA.” Students should keep
personal record of all absences and personal documentation relevant to each
absence. All students who are dropped from a course for excessive absences must
apply for reinstatement through the Registrar’s Office, but only reported absences
will be considered when evaluating the student’s application for reinstatement.
After the first absence, each absence will result in a loss of 4 pts. from the
attendance grade. Each time a student fails to turn in a translation preparation, or
submits an inadequate translation preparation, 4 pts. will be deducted from the final
percentage grade. If a student misses class for an unexcused absence and thereby
fails to submit a translation preparation, 4 pts. will be deducted from the attendance
grade. Assignments are due on the day a student was absent may be turned in at the
next class meeting without penalty.
NOTICE: This course plan, as distributed electronically via email and/or through the
CCU website and/or in hard copy on the first day of class, overrides all earlier
versions of the course plan for the same class. All terms and conditions stated in this
course plan, including objectives, outline of contents, required texts, assignments,
attendance policy, and grading scale, are subject to the professor’s unilateral
revision at any point before, during, or after the semester.