Christ Seminary – Fall 2009
Elementary Greek I
Meeting Time: Tuesday, 7:10-8:10 p.m.
Contact info: Robert Browning # 505-907-8860
email: .....
Course Description:
This course is part one of two in the study of elementary biblical Greek. We will cover the
fundamentals – the alphabet, pronunciation, etc., the noun system, adjectives, prepositions, pronouns,
and a few verbal forms. As best as possible we will interact with the Greek NT during class time.
Course Objectives:
The main motive in learning biblical Greek is not just to learn Greek, but to have a better understanding
of the text of the New Testament and thus the God of the text. Studying the Bible in the original
language aids one in analyzing and teaching the text of Scripture with greater precision and clarity.
A student who successfully completes the course should know:
1) Introductory matters of biblical Greek
2) How to identify a specific noun and its function in a sentence.
3) The various types of adjectives.
4) The various types of pronouns.
5) The various meanings of the major Greek prepositions.
6) The beginning forms of the Greek verbal system.
7) Around 200 vocabulary words.
8) How to use and read from the Greek NT.
Required Textbooks:
Mounce, William D. Basics of Biblical Greek Grammar. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003.
United Bible Society, The Greek New Testament, with dictionary, 4th ed.
Or the Nestle-Aland 27th edition of the Greek New Testament.
Course Requirements:
1) Each student must read the required chapter(s) in the Mounce textbook before classtime. Class
time will serve to reinforce the reading and elaborate further. One will have trouble following
along if they have not read the textbook before class.
2) Each week 15 or so new vocabulary words will be assigned for memorization. The vocabulary
will be cumulatively assessed. Brief quizzes will be periodically given.
3) Homework will be given out on a weekly basis. This will not be busy work, but is designed to
assist one in knowing the material through practice.
4) There will be three exams given during the semester, on week 4, 8, and 12. These will be takehome exams. Also, quizzes will be given periodically in class.
Attendance Policy: ???
Pre-course Assignments:
1) Acquire the required texts before class begins, either new or used. Many times one can find
these books online and lightly used for a much cheaper price.
2) Memorize the Greek alphabet in the lower case. Also, be familiar with the upper case letters.
During the first class we will have the first quiz on writing out the alphabet.
3) Read chapters 1-4 in the Mounce textbook. (It's only 21 pages.)
Class Schedule:
Week 1 – Introductory matters in biblical Greek, the alphabet, pronunciation, punctuation (chpts 1-4)
(date?)
Week 2 – Introduction to the noun system, nominative and accusative cases
(chpts 5-6)
Week 3 – Genitive and Dative cases
(chpt 7)
Week 4 – Prepositions and the verb “to be”
(chpt 8)
Week 5 – Adjectives
(chpt 9)
Week 6 – Third Declension nouns
(chpt 10)
Week 7 – 1st & 2nd personal pronouns
(chpt 11)
Week 8 – 3rd personal pronoun and further uses of auvto,j
(chpt 12)
Week 9 – Demonstrative Pronouns/Adjectives
(chpt 13)
Week 10 – Relative Pronoun
(chpt 14)
Week 11 – Introduction to verbs and present active indicative verbs
(chpts 15-16)
Week 12 – Contract Verbs
(chpt 17)
Week 13 – Present Middle/Passive Indicative Verbs
(chpt 18)