Discourse Grammar of the Greek New Testament: A Practical Introduction for Teaching and Exegesis [Hardcover]

Steven E. Runge (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2010

In Discourse Grammar of the Greek New Testament, Steve Runge introduces a function-based approach to language, exploring New Testament Greek grammatical conventions based upon the discourse functions they accomplish. Runge's approach has less to do with the specifics of language and more to do with how humans are wired to process it.

The approach is cross-linguistic. Runge looks at how all languages operate before he focuses on Greek. He examines linguistics in general to simplify the analytical process and explain how and why we communicate as we do, leading to a more accurate description of the Greek text. The approach is also function-based--meaning that Runge gives primary attention to describing the tasks accomplished by each discourse feature.

This volume does not reinvent previous grammars or supplant previous work on the New Testament. Instead, Runge reviews, clarifies, and provides a unified description of each of the discourse features. That makes it useful for beginning Greek students, pastors, and teachers, as well as for advanced New Testament scholars looking for a volume which synthesizes the varied sub-disciplines of New Testament discourse analysis.

With examples taken straight from the Lexham Discourse Greek New Testament, this volume helps readers discover a great deal about what the text of the New Testament communicates, filling a large gap in New Testament scholarship.

Each of the 18 chapters contains:

* An introduction and overview for each discourse function
* A conventional explanation of that function in easy-to-understand language
* A complete discourse explanation
* Numerous examples of how that particular discourse function is used in the Greek New Testament
* A section of application
* Dozens of examples, taken straight from the Lexham Discourse Greek New Testament
* Careful research, with citation to both Greek grammars and linguistic literature
* Suggested reading list for continued learning and additional research

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The purpose of this book is to introduce a function-based approach to language using discourse grammar. It presupposes three core principles: Choice implies meaning; semantic or inherent meaning should be differentiated from pragmatic effect; and default patterns of usage should be distinguished from marked ones. After treating foundations and connecting propositions, it discusses forward-pointing devices: forward-pointing reference and target, point/counterpoint sets, metacomments, historical present, redundant quotative frames, and tailhead linkage. Next it considers information structuring devices: information structure, framing devices (two chapters), circumstantial frames, emphasis, and left-dislocations. Then it deals with thematic high lighting devices: overspecification and right-dislocation, thematic addition, changed reference and thematic address, and near/far distinction. Runge is scholar-in-residence for Logos Bible Software and research associate for the department of ancient studies at the University of Stellenbosch."
--"New Testament Abstracts"

About the Author

Steven E. Runge is the General Editor of the Lexham Discourse Greek New Testament. He has a Master of Theological Studies degree in Biblical Languages from Trinity Western Seminary in Langley, B.C., Canada; a BA in Speech Communication from Western Washington University; and a Doctor of Literature degree in Biblical Languages from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa. He has served as an adjunct faculty member at Northwest Baptist Theological College, Trinity Western University, and Associated Canadian Theological Schools (ACTS) while completing his education.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.; Bilingual edition (December 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1598565834
• ISBN-13: 978-1598565836
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.2 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #452,868 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Steven E. Runge (DLitt) serves as Scholar-in-Residence for Logos Bible Software, and as a Research Associate for the Department of Ancient Studies, University of Stellenbosch.

GREEK DISCOURSE SUITE
Runge is the General Editor of the Lexham Discourse Greek New Testament (LDGNT), an electronic Greek text that annotates all occurrences of the devices described in the Discourse Grammar. The grammar enables readers to understand the exegetical role the devices play within the discourse. The LDGNT saves time and frustration by providing an expert analysis; interact with it just like you would any other specialized commentary. An English version of the same data is included with the LDGNT bundle. Together these resources function as an integrated suite of exegetical materials, making doctoral-level research accessible to specialist and non-specialist alike.

For more information about the LDGNT suite, see www.logos.com/ldgnt.

DISCOURSE COMMENTARY
The concepts described above are applied using non-technical language in the High Definition Commentary series.The Philippians volume will be released in 2010, Romans and one other volume are forthcoming in 2011. See http://www.logos.com/products/search?q=runge

HEBREW BIBLE
There is a companion suite of materials being developed for the Hebrew Bible. More information may be found at http://www.logos.com/ldhot

BLOG POSTS AND ARTICLES
For conference papers and related blog posts, see www.ntdiscourse.org.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Necessary Addition to Your Greek Library December 13, 2010

By A. B. Carr

Format:Hardcover

Steven Runge's 2010 "Discourse Grammar of the Greek New Testament" is an essential resource for any NT Greek student, which is why so many sold at the 2010 Evangelical Theological Society. His book is written simply enough that a relatively new student to Greek can understand it, but it includes a unified conception of NT Greek that answers many questions that have been debated in the field for years (for instance, his treatment of some of Stanley Porter's ideas improve upon previous understandings of the role of verbal aspect). Runge fills in the gaps of understanding NT Greek by helping the reader to see how grammar extends beyond the level of sentence syntax to the level of paragraphs and beyond. In case after case, he simply explains what many Greek scholars could previously arrive at only through unexamined intuition, because he teaches the reader to see the deliberate methods the NT uses to highlight and structure elements of the text. He uses many scriptural examples to explain everything from the difference of the basic conjunctions to the use of adverbial participles to relegate actions to a supporting role. Everyone intuitively knows that language goes beyond dictionary-definitions of words (semantics), Runge will take you to beyond mere semantics a new level of understanding NT Greek.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Runge Makes Discourse Accessible December 5, 2010

By R. W. Brannan

Format:Hardcover

Anyone who has taken first-year Greek knows that KAI means "and" (well, except where it might mean "also") and that DE means "but" (well, except for where it really means "and" or perhaps "now"). At least that's what you're told. In truth, however, each of these conjunctions have a single overriding function that doesn't correlate neatly with a single English word.

Runge teaches you the function of these words, not a simple and wholly inadequate gloss. And that's just conjunctions. Runge's Discourse Grammar will shift your brain, and help you to think beyond the word level to better understand the information structure of the text you're reading.

The chapter on conjunctions alone is worth the price of the book. Learning about "meta-comments" and "point-counterpoint sets", not to mention great material on how participles work, is bonus and well worth it. Highly recommended.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Runge's Work is Excellent December 3, 2010

By Phillip Marshall

Format:Hardcover

I've been using Runge's book (the electronic version on Logos) with my master's level Greek students who are doing readings in Acts at Houston Baptist University. It is a welcome addition to the Greek language resources that we use, and I'm so glad to see that it is finally being printed for those who do not have Logos software. Runge makes the benefits of linguistics / discourse analysis accessible, and I for one will make this required reading for all my Greek students who progress beyond first-year grammar. DGGNT is *first rate*--thanks so much, Steve!

Dr. Phillip Marshall
Houston Baptist University