Who Loves Bible Study? I DO!

Professor Rob Plummer has declared the month of May  “Read a Historical Theology text month.” What is historical theology? Plummer describes it as, “the academic discipline that looks at the development and articulation of Christian doctrine throughout church history.” He has decided to read about 30 pages a day from Gregg Allison’s “Historical Theology.” This book has been on my radar for a few months now, so I’ve decided to read along with Prof. Plummer. I ordered the book from CBD, which has it on sale for $28.99. I should get it next Thursday, and I’ll probably start it right away to give myself a little extra time as I am also using other textbooks right now to help in my Bible study.

Today I will finish the last assignment in Chapter 3 of “Grasping God’s Word,” a textbook that helps you learn how to really dig into the Biblical text, drawing out the meaning that was actually intended instead of reading meaning into the text. I also plan to read through Chapter 4 and do at least one assignment from that chapter. I’m using the second edition (which I also purchased from CBD), mostly because I got impatient and couldn’t wait for the third edition that is being released in May. There is also a workbook that goes along with it, which I highly suggest to you get if you use the textbook. So far, the material has been about practice, practice, practice… but I’m loving it, and I can’t wait to get to the deeper stuff.

I’ve also started over with Greek. I’m actually pleasantly surprised that I have retained even a little bit of what I had learned before. I am using Bill Mounce’s Greek Grammar and workbook (second edition… there is also a third edition available now) which I purchased a couple of years ago. I really want to learn this, but it’s very hard doing it alone. One of my goals for this year was to pick this up again, and I have… and I’m determined to stick with it.

I’m all-in right now. I purchased a few other resources as well, but I may not get to those for a while as I’m still doing other reading as well. Busy, busy, busy. But loving it!

Keep Your Greek by Constantine Campbell

     In “Keep Your Greek,” Campbell gives practical advice and tips on things you can do so that your Greek doesn’t die. Some of the tips are obvious. A couple may surprise you, but the logic behind it is undeniable.

     I am not a seminary student. I was encouraged to study Greek on my own after frequently watching a pastor on television who uses several different languages in many of her sermons to point out context, tense, etc. I wanted to be able to do this in my own personal studies. Unfortunately, as Bill Mounce says, I got “lost in the fog.” I got discouraged and began to study less and less, until it was not-at-all. I want to change that, so I knew I had to read “Keep You Greek.” It is so encouraging, especially since I am doing this on my own, to see that others struggle the same as I do. The tips in this book will no doubt help me learn and keep my Greek.

This book was provided to me for free by Zondervan for the purpose of this review. My opinions are my own.

This was book 5 in my 52 Books in 52 Weeks challenge.

Reclaiming My Greek!

About a year ago I was studying Greek. Not in a class, but on my own. I purchased a Greek grammar book and several other resources to help. I was doing very well, but as with any language it took a lot of time and it got harder and harder and I fell victim to discouragement. Especially since I was going it alone. I’ve been telling myself I need to pick it up again, but never did. But I’ve been re-inspired. Keep Your Greek has motivated me to reclaim my Greek (since you can’t keep what you no longer have). Last night I picked up my Greek grammar and started with chapter 1! I’m going back to the beginning. I may post an update here from time-to-time on how it’s going, where I’m struggling, etc. It may even help me work through it.

So this is my official proclamation…. I WILL learn Greek and I will KEEP it!