Greek II/ NT-504

Fall Term, 2011

I.Details
  1. Time: Mondays 1-4PM
  2. Professor: Michael J. Kruger
  1. Email:
  2. Office: Room 102, Building E
  3. Office hours: Feel free to stop by, or make appointment.
II.Purpose
  1. To glorify God and enjoy Him.
  2. To appreciate the importance and role of biblical languages for pastoral ministry.
  3. To continue to learn the fundamentals of the Greek language.
  4. To begin the task of translation and exegesis of the Greek New Testament.
III.Course Requirements
  1. Faithful class attendance

-Attendance is vital: to miss one day of class is to miss three periods.

-Expect class participation when applicable

-Feel free to ask questions during lecture

  1. Weekly quizzes

- First portion of every class devoted to a brief quiz (10-15 minutes)

- Quiz will cover vocabulary and content of prior week's lectures.

- If you are late you will not be allowed to take the quiz

- The lowest quiz grade will be dropped

  1. Exercises

- Exercises must be finished before each class. Please do the work yourself first, then check your answers in the back of the text.

-I will only spot check the exercises to see if you have done them. I will not grade them.

-Following the quiz, we will review the exercise assignments and you will be expected to participate orally.

  1. Paper

- After reading The Text of the New Testament (see below), submit a paper (7-10 pages) concerning the following. In 1 John 5:7-8, there is a textual variant in the KJV. The Greek text underlying the KJV (the Textus Receptus) includes these italicized words.:

For there are three that testify in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one. And there are three that testify on earth: the spirit the water and the blood.

Your assignment is in two parts. First, use what Metzger calls "internal" and "external" evidence (p.300-316) to argue for why this addition by the KJV is or is not original. You will have to consult the textual apparatus in your Greek N.T. Particularly helpful is the discussion on p.146-148 of Metzger which describes this textual variant. Also see helpful discussion on this text in Metzger, A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament (small red companion to your Greek N.T.; see library). Second, explain how this one example from 1 John 5:7-8 highlights the important differences between the Textus Receptus and the critical text of Wescott and Hort (see Metzger, p.165-194). Why does it matter whether we use one Greek text or the other?

- This is not a traditional research paper and therefore does not require footnotes, documentation, or bibliography. Nevertheless, it should still be a very high quality paper, demonstrating Master's level understanding.

* Paper due Dec 8th, 5 PM.

  1. Exams

- There will be two midterm exams and a final exam (see schedule below).

- Each exam will take the first hour of class, the second and third hour there will be a

lecture as usual. However, the final exam will occur during the final exams week, Dec 8-13.

- There will be no quizzes or exercises due the day of the exams.

IV.Grading
  1. Quizzes—30%
  2. Exams—60% (20% each)
  3. Paper—10%
V.Textbooks and Materials
  1. Greek New Testament (UBS 4th ed.; or Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece 27th ed.).
  2. William D. Mounce, Basics of Biblical Greek, Grammar and Workbook (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993). Electronic Flashcards and answers to workbook available at
  3. Cleon Rogers Jr., and Cleon Rogers, III, The New Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek New Testament, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998).
  4. Barclay M. Newman, Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament, (contained in the back of the UBS Greek New Testament or sold separately).
  5. Bruce M. Metzger and Bart D. Ehrman, The Text of the New Testament, (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005, 4th edition).
  6. Greek Flashcards (see bookstore).
VI.Schedule and Assignments

Class 1—Aug 29

- Intro
- Lecture: Chapters 21

Class 2—Sept 5

No Class. Labor Day.
Class 3—Sept 12
- Quiz #1
- Review Exercises
- Lecture: Chapter 22
Class 4—Sept 19
- Quiz #2

- Review Exercises

- Lecture: Chapter 23

Class 5—Sept 26

- Quiz #3
- Review Exercises
- Lecture: Chapter 24
Class 6—Oct 3rd
- Quiz #4
- Review Exercises
- Lecture: Chapter 25

Class 7—Oct 10

FALL BREAK

Class 8—Oct 17

- Exam #1
- Lecture: Chapter 26 /

Class 9—Oct 24

- Quiz #5
- Review Exercises
- Lecture: Chapter 27

Class 10—Oct 31

- Quiz #6
- Review Exercises
- Lecture: Chapter 28

Class 11—Nov 7

- Quiz #7
- Review Exercises
- Lecture: Chapter 29-30
Class 12—Nov 14
- EXAM #2
- Lecture: Chapter 31
Class 13—Nov 21
Class Cancelled due to Professor at ETS/SBL

Class 14—Nov 28

- Quiz #8
- Review Exercises
- Lecture: Chapters 32
Class 15—Dec 5
- Quiz #9
- Review Exercises
- Lecture: Chapter 33-34

Course Objectives Related to MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes

Course: NT504 Greek 2

Professor: Dr. Kruger

Campus:Charlotte

Date:6/1/2010

MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes
In order to measure the success of the MDiv curriculum, RTS has defined the following as the intended outcomes of the student learning process. Each course contributes to these overall outcomes. This rubric shows the contribution of this course to the MDiv outcomes.
*As the MDiv is the core degree at RTS, the MDiv rubric will be used in this syllabus. / Rubric
Strong
Moderate
Minimal
None / Mini-Justification
Articulation
(oral & written) / Broadly understands and articulates knowledge, both oral and written, of essential biblical, theological, historical, and cultural/global information, including details, concepts, and frameworks. / Moderate / - Knowledge of grammar and syntax of biblical language
- Knowledge of textual criticism and ancient manuscripts; ready book by Metzger
- Paper on textual criticism
Scripture / Significant knowledge of the original meaning of Scripture. Also, the concepts for and skill to research further into the original meaning of Scripture and to apply Scripture to a variety of modern circumstances. (Includes appropriate use of original languages and hermeneutics; and integrates theological, historical, and cultural/global perspectives.) / Strong / - Knowledge of original languages
- Introduction to exegesis and heremeneutics
Reformed Theology / Significant knowledge of Reformed theology and practice, with emphasis on the Westminster Standards. / Minimal / - Exegesis and discussion of biblical texts that cover Reformed doctrines
- Discuss Reformed view of original languages and their importance
Sanctification / Demonstrates a love for the Triune God that aids the student’s sanctification. / Minimal / - Prayer before class
- Biblical passages discussed are applied to the life of the student
Desire for Worldview / Burning desire to conform all of life to the Word of God. / None
Winsomely Reformed / Embraces a winsomely Reformed ethos. (Includes an appropriate ecumenical spirit with other Christians, especially Evangelicals; a concern to present the Gospel in a God-honoring manner to non-Christians; and a truth-in-love attitude in disagreements.) / Minimal / - Discussion of appropriate behavior for new seminary students
Preach / Ability to preach and teach the meaning of Scripture to both heart and mind with clarity and enthusiasm. / Minimal / - Occasionally discuss the way a particular Greek text could be preached
Worship / Knowledgeable of historic and modern Christian-worship forms; and ability to construct and skill to lead a worship service. / None
Shepherd / Ability to shepherd the local congregation: aiding in spiritual maturity; promoting use of gifts and callings; and encouraging a concern for non-Christians, both in America and worldwide. / None
Church/World / Ability to interact within a denominational context, within the broader worldwide church, and with significant public issues. / None