From: Theodore H Mann (thmann@juno.com)
Date: Sat Dec 11 1999 - 20:02:10 EST
Pastor Edwards:
As I recall, this subject was dealt with at considerable length some
time back, so the responses will probably be similar.
Steve Miller correctly points out that some knowledge of Greek helps
in understanding scholarly commentaries involving the Greek text; but to
function at the level described by Jim West, I think you have to be very
good at it. Unless you are willing to invest the time (years) and effort
(borderline obsession?) to become exceedingly proficient at the language,
I think you're better off learning what you can for the pure enjoyment of
it, and for the great people you get to associate with, and learn from,
along the way.
It would be interesting to know how many members of the list, who
have achieved high-level proficiency in NT Greek, had to study before
they felt as though they could function independently, without the need
for some kind of mentor/s looking over their shoulders. How long did it
take the big-Greeks to reach the point where they could read the text in
a natural, fluid way, and sense the subtle nuances at play in the
language, without having to be told that they were there? At what point
in their studies were they able to discover "things" about the text on
their own, without having to ask someone else if they were right? I'll
bet it took longer than a few semesters of beginning and intermediate
Greek. Until one approaches that level of skill, however, I think he is
pretty much going to have to rely on the expertise of others. In his
post, Jim uses the illustration of the physician who has never studied
anatomy. In the world of NT Greek, I would say that unless the student
(the ignorant physician) is willing to become really good at the language
(Greek anatomy), he is forever going to have to rely on the Dr. West's of
the world to guide his hand in performing verbal aspectomies.
I study Greek on my own, as I am able, and love it. And to me
that's the secret. Even if you don't become a Jim West or Carl Conrad
(not to slight others of equal ability), or discover the "deep secrets"
hidden in the text (most of them have been written about in English,
anyway), you should study the language because you love doing it. It's
great fun!
Best.
Ted
Dr. Theodore "Ted" Mann
thmann@juno.com
http://www.homestead.com/eIXQUS/index.html
http://www.homestead.com/eLOGOS/index.html
http://www.homestead.com/ChristianResourcesLinks/index.html
On Sat, 11 Dec 1999 14:37:16 "Jayce Edwards" <hellojayce@aol.com> writes:
>From: Jayce C. Edwards
>e-mail: hellojayce@aol.com
>
> "Why study Greek?"
>
>This was the question posed to me at a church leadership meeting
>recently,
>when I asked them if anyone was interested in learning NT Greek. I
>have
>been asked to teach NT Greek to a group of interested church members.
>It
>has always been my dream to teach Greek, and having pastored for eight
>
>years, the time has arrived when I may well have the opportunity. I
>have
>paid close attention to the many discussions about first year
>Grammars, and
>thank everyone on the list for their input. Here's my question:
>
> How would you answer the question, "Why study Greek?" if posed to
>you?
>
>I would love to compile a list of your answers and share them with my
>
>potential students, as well as with those brave souls that take up the
>
>joyous work of learning Greek. I am glad to be a part of this list and
>look
>foward to your many helpful remarks.
>
>CARIS to all!
>
>Jayce C. Edwards
>Senior Pastor
>Huntington Massachusetts
>
>"Ve git too soon old, and too late schmart!"
>
>
>---
>B-Greek home page: http://sunsite.unc.edu/bgreek
>You are currently subscribed to b-greek as: thmann@juno.com
>To unsubscribe, forward this message to
>leave-b-greek-329W@franklin.oit.unc.edu
>To subscribe, send a message to
>subscribe-b-greek@franklin.oit.unc.edu
>
>
--- B-Greek home page: http://sunsite.unc.edu/bgreek You are currently subscribed to b-greek as: [cwconrad@artsci.wustl.edu] To unsubscribe, forward this message to leave-b-greek-329W@franklin.oit.unc.edu To subscribe, send a message to subscribe-b-greek@franklin.oit.unc.edu
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.4 : Sat Apr 20 2002 - 15:40:49 EDT