The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the basic elements of Greek grammar and vocabulary as a foundation for reading and interpreting the Greek New Testament.  The student will be asked to memorize thoroughly the vocabulary and word-form paradigms in each chapter of the textbook and learn the grammatical constructions as they are presented. 

The course closely follows the outline of Mounce’s Basics of Biblical Greek (3^rd edition), with some modifications that will be noted as we go.

Since reading the Greek NT is our objective, a firm grasp of vocabulary and grammar in the initial stages is essential. To facilitate steady and incremental learning, daily quizzes and written assignments are required. The ultimate goal, of course, is to enjoy and deepen our understanding of the text itself. But of course, as C.S. Lewis wrote in one of his sermons, “This will not, for most of us, happen in a day; poetry replaces grammar, gospel replaces law, longing transforms obedience, as gradually as the tide lifts a grounded ship.”  

This course is meant to be taken with LANG 551: Introduction to New Testament Greek II.