Learn New Testament Greek, with Audio CD-Rom by John H. Dobson

by John H. Dobson

New and revised material, and an expanded grammar section added to these 52 introductory lessons that can be used as a text, independent-study guide, refresher, or reference.

Genres: Language, Reference, Biblical Studies, Christianity, Religion, Christian, New Testament

Paperback

First published February 1, 1989

Reviews

[Kaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this very useful to get going with reading Biblical Greek, as it does a good job at introducing you to ‘real’ sentences, in context, from the first lesson. However, I found the grammar explanations to be overly sparse and poorly explained - this is definitely best used with a reference grammar to hand, or to be combined with a more grammar heavy introductory book. This was especially the case with the chapters on verb participles which I found more confusing than helpful. Nonetheless this textbook did a great job to help me start reading real Greek sentences from the first lesson, and has enabled me to get through simple Biblical prose with an interlinear text.

[Creed Anderson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I learned Greek in spite of this book.

[Jonathan Ammon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the only “beginning grammar,” I’ve found that emphasises learning functional Greek before learning grammar, and for that I give it five stars. As a language learner whose primary (or first in order) goal is to learn to read the Greek New Testament devotionally and who prefers modern approaches to language learning, I am not enamoured with the grammar-translation pedagogy. This grammar was almost exactly what I wanted, keeping the first 35-40 of the 52 lessons focused on functional reading and inductive learning with little grammar instruction.

That said, the book is not perfect. There are numerous translation exercises, all of which have the answers in English right next to the Greek. Because of my preference for avoiding direct translation until much later, I focused on reading these passages and getting the “sense” of them rather than translating them into English. What’s more, I had a strict “thou shalt move on” policy, pushing myself to keep moving even though I hadn’t mastered the material. I combined this introductory grammar with reading the Greek NT along with audio and a flash card app (with audio) that taught me 80% of the NT vocab. As a result I can read with some comfort; however, I know little grammar and struggle to conjugate or produce the language properly.

I will now be moving on to auditing a more traditional New Testament Greek class and reading a more traditional grammar. I am very grateful for this book, which more than any other grammar I’ve seen is well suited to both inductive learning and self study.

[Cory Giles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've tried to learn several languages--Spanish, German, and now New Testament Greek; but, before this book, I was barely able to pass the introductory barrier. After only a month with this book, I'm able to read over half of the Reader's GNT (which includes words with a frequency of 30 or less at the bottom of each page), without too much difficulty.
This book is aimed at gaining a working reading knowledge of NT Greek, as opposed to an exegetical knowledge. In other words, it doesn't focus on the fine, technical aspects of the language that most introductory NT Greek books do. But if you want a quick, easy, fun way to rapidly learn the basics of grammar and vocab in the GNT, I doubt you'll find a better book.

[Todd Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those wanting a nice elementary approach to Greek, this is it. I've forgotten most of what I studied in it and plan to go through it soon. But this is a great place to start learning NT Greek.

[Leslie Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

I personally think this one is what a modern language course should be: it gets you into the original text about as fast as humanly possible. I stumbled on a couple tries, but finally did it in six weeks. I'm much less sure about someone inexperienced with Greek, because I did some of the JACT Classical Greek course in college. Greek is hard, but honestly learning a new alphabet isn't. I learned the alphabet standing in line at the college bookstore. Past the alphabet I'm not sure it is that much more complicated than Latin, and for both of those you have Greek and Latin root usage in English as a prop. I saw the first half of Mark as an Odyssey reading it in Greek and the last part as Greek tragedy. The tagged on ending seems to borrow from Acts and is harmful. I just didn't perceive the Greek story parallels reading in translation. So something is lost in any translation. If the book means something to you, even as a cultural artifact, then tackle the language. The KJV doesn't cut if for anyone who really reads the original, even if it is the most quotable. For one, the New Testament was written in its contemporary dialect, not in artificial classical Greek. Stylistic differences in the Bible get flattened out by translation committees.

[Ebby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the most comprehensive language book I have ever seen. His method keeps you going because you really feel like you are grasping it. He packs so much information in, but through repetition ensures that the principles are sinking in.

[Светлана · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book of its kind that I have found. Awesome for independent study, and it does not get you bogged down in terms. While I don't mind heavy grammar terminology, this book takes a more natural approach which actually helped me to learn faster.

[Ilya Kozlov · Rating 5 out of 5]

i tried several...this is really usefull....fast progress..(.heretical protestant proffessor with erroneous ideas...i know, i know...keep it in mind, learn greek not theology from him)

[Kevin de Ataíde · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm using this for its gradual delivery of vocabulary. For a grammar, it is difficult, because it mixes up the tenses.

[Mark Dobson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably very helpful, but immensely frustrating nonetheless.

[Thomas GOSSE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to New Testament Greek. It will not make you a Greek scholar, but it is great book to get your feet wet.

[Jeff Noble]

Learn New Testament Greek by John H. Dobson (?)