Temporal Deixis of the Greek Verb in the Gospel of Mark with Reference to Verbal Aspect [Hardcover]

Rodney J. Decker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0820450332 | ISBN-13: 978-0820450339

Temporal Deixis of the Greek Verb provides a detailed grammatical study of the Greek verb in the Gospel of Mark focused on the question of temporal reference. Following the theory of verbal aspect proposed by several recent scholars, this book distinguishes between aspect and Aktionsart, semantics and pragmatics. It argues that temporal reference is not grammaticalized by the tenses of the Greek verb. Instead, koine Greek indicates these relationships through contextual means (temporal deixis). The full temporal range of usage of the verb in Mark's Gospel is examined, deictic indicators are catalogued, and selected passages are used to illustrate the ways in which time is indicated. This linguistic study provides a basis for more accurate exegesis of the text of Mark and other similar writings.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 293 pages
• Publisher: Peter Lang Publishing (November 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0820450332
• ISBN-13: 978-0820450339
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,341,952 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #83 in Books > Education & Reference > Foreign Languages > Instruction > Ancient Greek

More About the Author

Rodney J. Decker (b. 1952) grew up on a farm in NE Pennsylvania and having completed graduate study, including a ThD in New Testament, and pastoring for a dozen years, now teaches MDiv and PhD students at Baptist Bible Seminary, Clarks Summit, PA. He is an "academic" author specializing in koine Greek. Several additional books are in process including a grammatical handbook on the Gospel of Mark (Baylor Univ Press).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Challenge to Learn New Things, August 16, 2005

By 

Merlin W. Zook (Camp Hill, PA. USA.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Temporal Deixis of the Greek Verb in the Gospel of Mark with Reference to Verbal Aspect (Hardcover)

This study of temporal deixis and verbal aspect with a focus
upon the Gospel of Mark represents a significant source of new
information for those who are pursuing Biblical Greek
linguistics. Decker investigates semantics, verbal aspect,
pragmatics, temporal reference, various relationships,Aktionsart,
contextual methodologies, and deictic indicators.Significant
examples illustrating these concepts are referenced in the
Gospel of Mark. These are new and challenging ideas involving
linguistics of Biblical Greek. Decker , in his book, is
testing Porter's theory concerning verbal semantics, and he
is taking a close look at temporal deixis of Greek verbs as
well.

This book is well supplied with tables, word lists, diagrams,
parallel study columns, an extensive bibliography; also subject,
author, and reference indexes. There is an ample supply
of associated notes for each chapter which prove themselves quite valuable and helpful to the reader. I recommend
the reader to follow the notes carefully and thoroughly while
each chapter is read.Also,the reader needs to closely follow
the tables, lists, diagrams and study columns to better
understand the material which Decker is introducing.

I strongly recommend Decker's book to those who are interested
in learning the newest ideas on the cutting edges of modern
linguistics dealing with Biblical Greek. This book certainly
opened up new frontiers for me; others may enjoy this adventure
as well.

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear and Concise, February 15, 2004

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Temporal Deixis of the Greek Verb in the Gospel of Mark with Reference to Verbal Aspect (Hardcover)

This book gives a clear and easy-to-understand explanation of Aspectual Theory and then works through the book of Mark to show the superiority of an aspectually based system.