Help: Using Logos to learn Greek?

Hi everyone,

So I have been debating whether to take some courses on Greek from a seminary (probably online) but have been wondering if there is a proper way to do this exclusively in Logos, with a mix of resources.

If anyone has pointers, they would be very helpful.

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Jack Caviness

So I have been debating whether to take some courses on Greek from a seminary (probably online) but have been wondering if there is a proper way to do this exclusively in Logos, with a mix of resources.

It is possible to self-teach Greek, but that would require incredible discipline. The assistance of an instructor will make it more efficient, and will also diminish the tendency to accumulate error. The Black-Friday special on Learn Hebrew and Greek merely teach you how to use the language tools in Logos. The do not teach you the language.

Geo Philips

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/430504#Comment_430504

Thanks Jack.

That was my issue too (the discipline required). Well, back to searching for online courses. Any that you could recommend perhaps

William Gabriel

Geo,

I'll be very interested in knowing what route you go. Outside of Logos I have Bill Mounce's Basic's of Biblical Greek materials and DVDs. In theory it's like being in an online version of his class. I haven't had a chance to start them yet, but I hope to soon.

In terms of what Logos offers, I have Read Greek in 30 Days, which looks intriguing. Perusing the contents makes me think that you could use this resource to aid in Bible study, but it doesn't look it will get you anywhere close to what you need for original language exegesis. It might be a good first step, however.

Keep us updated on what you decide to do.

Bill

Geo Philips

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/430510#Comment_430510

I sure will, Bill. Glad to know that I am not alone on this fool's errand.

Right now, being in Canada, I and a couple of friends are leaning towards University of Toronto's Biblical Greek programs (offered by a couple of seminaries within the UofT fold.) I am not sure if there is an online-only version.

Geo Philips

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/430510#Comment_430510

The Bill Mounce Series (teknia.com) looks interesting.

I would love to access a self-guided online seminary course. Coming from an engineering background, I have always been fascinated and helped by sites like http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm .

I think the resources exist now, disparately, on iTunes and on seminary websites.

Kevin Becker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/430519#Comment_430519

In my recent upgrade to Logos 5 I got an introductory Greek grammar, Kairos. It comes with a workbook and answer key. I don't know it's a good learning Grammar or not but if you have it I'd at least look it over.

Keith Larson

May I suggest the Institute of Biblical Greek: http://www.biblicalgreek.org/classes/web/.

This course made all the difference for me in using my Greek. Fluency is the only way to go. I learned the decoding method in Seminary and never really "knew" Greek.

Here is a link to a video were Prof. John Schwandt tells about the fluency method: http://youtu.be/S6u8XiwZkv4

Another advantage is Prof. Schwandt teaches up in recreated Koine Greek, rather than the made up Erasmian method of prounciation.

George Somsel

Hi everyone,

So I have been debating whether to take some courses on Greek from a seminary (probably online) but have been wondering if there is a proper way to do this exclusively in Logos, with a mix of resources.

If anyone has pointers, they would be very helpful.

I've said for a long time that a prestigious school isn't necessary for a student who truly wants to learn and has access to good books on the subject [I always told the kids "Learn to read and to read well and there is nothing you can't learn"]. Having said that, in addition to good materials for study, you need a good dose of perserverance and determination. Most problems arise because autodidacts simply don't stick with the program. I've heard that the programs indicating you can learn Greek and Hebrew with Logos are really designed more to teach how to use Logos to click your way to some glosses. I wouldn't recommend them if that is the case. Koine Greek is somewhat different from classical Greek, but both are quite recognizably Greek. It wouldn't hurt to learn classical. Smyth is probably the best Greek grammar in the English language, but it it's a reference book and not instructional book. In college I used Crosby & Shaffer which I would still recommend. Others favor different instructional grammars. In Hebrew I used Davidson which is in Logos, but it's a drastically revised edition, still good.

Alex Scott

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/430514#Comment_430514

Right now, being in Canada, I and a couple of friends are leaning towards University of Toronto's Biblical Greek programs (offered by a couple of seminaries within the UofT fold.)

When I first became interested in learning Greek some years ago, I took the Biblical Greek course at Queen's University in Kingston. I have never regretted it and would highly recommend that approach to start.

Geo Philips

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/430540#Comment_430540

Oh wow. I went to Queens too (but for business). Nice to see another alumni.

George Somsel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/430540#Comment_430540

Right now, being in Canada, I and a couple of friends are leaning towards University of Toronto's Biblical Greek programs (offered by a couple of seminaries within the UofT fold.)

When I first became interested in learning Greek some years ago, I took the Biblical Greek course at Queen's University in Kingston. I have never regretted it and would highly recommend that approach to start.

Too bad you didn't have John Wevers (Göttingen Septuagint) at Toronto. I had his brother at Calvin—he was a hard taskmaster.

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

One Logos resource is => Learning New Testament Greek Now and Then that includes sentence diagramming.

Keep Smiling Smile

Frank Hale

Although you can do a lot through independent study, I would highly recommend that you have at least some classroom experience with an instructor and fellow students. And if you cannot find a New Testament Greek class, you might consider an introductory Classical Greek class (just be sure it is Attic, and not exclusively Homeric). Classical Attic Greek is fairly close to New Testament Greek, and it is not bad to learn the bits where the language changed, either. But avoid classes in Modern (often Conversation) Greek, which is significantly different from New Testament Greek. Even a single course with instructor and other students, listening and speaking/reading aloud, and doing homework will considerably enrich your experience of independent study with the wonderful resources available in Logos.

Geo Philips

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/430656#Comment_430656

Thanks a lot everyone for your helpful suggestions.

For a start, we (I and a couple of buddies) have decided to try out Mounce's video lecture series. We plan to meet up once a week to do the lectures and assignments together.

I have ordered a USB Reader's edition from Amazon. What would be an equivalent resource in Logos, that is not too expensive?

In Christ,

Geo

Ben Mckay

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/430931#Comment_430931

Hi Geo,

I couldn't recommend these free videos enough.

http://www.thebible.net/video/greek/

Although a bit dated I am finding them useful. Also Black's 'Learn to read new testament greek' is the text book which is available in Logos.

Good luck. I am just starting to learn myself in my own time and am enjoying it.

Ben

fgh

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/430931#Comment_430931

What would be an equivalent resource in Logos, that is not too expensive?

The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition is free.

Kevin Becker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/430931#Comment_430931

I have ordered a USB Reader's edition from Amazon. What would be an equivalent resource in Logos, that is not too expensive?

The Word by Word section in the Exegetical guide can be customized to give definitions, parsings of words as rare as you need. The UBS Readers includes words that appear less than 30 times in the NT. You can customize the guide with whatever vocab frequency your memorization is at.

http://wiki.logos.com/Exegetical_Guide#Word_by_Word

Geo Philips

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/430946#Comment_430946

Thanks for these videos Ben. Looks good to me, but oh the background noise on those videos.

Geo Philips

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/430981#Comment_430981

Thanks Kevin.

That is a great tip.

Scott Warren

If you want to try teaching yourself you can try Itunes U. They have classroom videos from Concordia and Dallas Theological Seminaries to name a couple.They aren't the highest quality and some of them are just a camera in the back of a room, but they have almost every seminary class you could imagine available. Also the price is great since it's free.

Good Luck Geo

William Gabriel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/430931#Comment_430931

Geo,

You have spurred me on to pick this up too! I've had the DVDs for a few months, and I just got them ripped so I can watch them on my phone (a great exercise while running).

It's great that you're getting together with others to do this. Do you have an idea of a schedule for your group?

Bill

Geo Philips

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/432645#Comment_432645

Well, we are starting in January, once a week. We have to figure out whether we do just the class, or some part of the assignments together as well.