For a beginner in NT Greek, which videos would be most useful:
- Greek for the Rest of Us, OR
- Basics of Biblical Greek & Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics?
OR all three?
Does GFTROU equate just to BOBG?
Thanks for your help.
No...they are not the same.
GFTROU is pre-Greek if you like. It's for the layperson who wants to do better word studies, make use of interlinear (reverse & traditional), understand why translations differ on word choices and be able to ready more in depth commentaries. i.e. its for the lay person who wants to dig deeper into the Word. There is an equivalent Hebrew version for OT studies.
It has three main sections.
The accompanying textbook can be found in Logos.
Greek for the Rest of Us: The Essentials of Biblical Greek, Second Edition | Logos Bible Software
For more details you can download a the Table of Contents and Preface which explains in more depth what this resource will do for you from here:
Greek for the Rest of Us Sample.pdf (billmounce.com)
BOBG is first year seminary Greek so takes you beyond learning how to make use of Greek tools in your bible study to learning the grammar, vocabulary and syntax of the language.
You can download the front matter of the accompanying text here to give you an idea of what the course covers:
http://doxa.billmounce.com/BBG4_Front_Matter.pdf
Textbook: Basics of Biblical Greek Grammar, 4th ed. | Logos Bible Software
Workbook: https://www.logos.com/product/198249/basics-of-biblical-greek-workbook-4th-ed
Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics is a second year seminary text focus more syntax.
If you only want to become more proficient in using the tools Logos provides then GFTROU is all you need.
If you plan on learning Greek language I'd say grab all three if its in your budget. Others will say just get the two seminary level books. Take a look at the supporting material I've linked to above and make a choice. Going for all three will ensure you are grounded in the basics before diving into grammar and syntax proper.
With Basics of Biblical Greek you’ll learn the basics and then some, so you might as well skip the Rest of Us volume. Disciple’s assessment is right on point, though. At the end of the day, get all three if you can afford them. I’m good with the two seminary level ones since I already have the basics down and I’m not new to it. Learn to use Biblical Greek and Hebrew with Logos is another great course that can help you use OL tools without knowing OL.
DAL
I’m good with the two seminary level ones since I already have the basics down and I’m not new to it.
Agreed DAL if someone already has a background already in the Greek knowing the alphabet, what a lemma is, understand how inflection works etc or even a very good understanding of English grammar * and also can explain to someone why translations differ in word choices, and of how to break down a unit of English text into the key ideas and supporting arguments in order to under the authors flow of thought in the text then you can jump right into BOBG without GFTROU.
If someone is really not sure if GFTROU will be of use to them or not there is always the thirty day return period if they find it not of help to them.
* sure we may be know how to read, write and speak English but do we really understand why we read / write it the way we do. If we had to sit an English grammar test (not a reading comprehension test) where we had to define various terminology, rules etc and give examples would we pass it with flying colours or struggle with it. Whatever language study we undertake having a strong knowledge of English grammar can be a big advantage as what we learn in that language while it may differ to English grammar, English grammar will often be he reference point
Thanks for these helpful responses.
How does GFTROU compare to the Learn to use Biblical Greek with Logos course - do they cover the same ground?
I’m on coffee break at the moment so can’t provide a detailed response from my phone but would say there is some overlap but different focuses. Learning to use is focussed on the Logos software while GFTROU doesn‘t focus directly on a specific software package. I would say Learning to use in terms of amount of content has more on Greek Grammar and being a mobile Ed course directs you to readinga in other books you may or may not have in your library. At times the readings can be repetitive, not always a bad thing, and other times go deeper than what the course is trying to teach. But it’s definitely a good course. Your budget in terms of money and time, and purpose for learning and whether you need to get up to a certain level in a specific time frame all play a part. You wouldn‘t go wrong with all four options as i think these two vary enough to both add value. Biggest question you need to ask is how committed are you to learning.
Thanks for these helpful responses. How does GFTROU compare to the Learn to use Biblical Greek with Logos course - do they cover the same ground?
