Using New Testament Greek in Ministry: A Practical Guide for Students and Pastors [Paperback]

David Alan Black (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1993

Here are all the tools pastors and teachers need to mine the Greek text and other language resources for the enhancement of personal study and sermon content.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Baker Academic (March 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801010438
• ISBN-13: 978-0801010439
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #229,791 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A succinct discussion of the Greek exegetical task., October 15, 1999

By 

Brian Prucey "1-888-Jesus-2000" (Benton, LA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Using New Testament Greek in Ministry: A Practical Guide for Students and Pastors (Paperback)

Dr. Black provides helpful suggestions and guidance, most of which could be found in other sources. He has brought many of the best elements of other works into one volume. He reprimands the negligence of seminaries to equip ministers for the task of Greek exegesis. He explains the need for exegesis and provides some common sense tips for using Greek in ministry. However, I object to Dr. Black's comments regarding those who cannot work in the languages. He refers to pastors who lack skills in the Greek language as "average" in understanding (23). He characterizes these pastors as having to borrow their ideas from others in order to preach God's word, possibly passing on ignorance in God's name. Additionally, they are less "serious" about their preaching than their seminary-trained brethren. A more serious objection is that the author seems to casts spurious doubts upon the reliability of English translations. He says, "Not even the English translations. . .are completely trustworthy" (24). The tenor of his discussion leaves one with the impression that the average parishioner who does not know the languages cannot fully understand God's word. This is unfortunate. No pastor should ever leave the impression with his flock that their English Bibles are not completely trustworthy. While some translations are undoubtedly better than others are, no one sitting in the pew should ever think that the only person able to accurately understand the Bible is the pastor. This comes dangerously close to sacerdotalism. An important role of the pulpit ministry is to demonstrate the veracity of the vernacular Bible, not just the Greek New Testament. The people need to know that God speaks to them through their English Bibles. Chapter Three and Four are the "meat and potatoes" of the book. Dr. Black briefly sketches a road map for complete exegesis of a text. Much of the information is discussed more thoroughly in other works like Fee and Stewart's "How to Read the Bible for All its Worth." The greatest strength of the book is the application of the exegetical process to a passage of scripture in Chapter Four. The author takes a passage step-by-step through the process outlined in the previous chapter and reaches its conclusion with a homiletical outline. Dr. Black provides a succinct discussion of the exegetical task for the preaching minister. He provides no new information, but brings together in one place all the tools necessary for the task.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for preachers, February 8, 2009

By 

Clark A. Steelman (Clarks Summit PA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Using New Testament Greek in Ministry: A Practical Guide for Students and Pastors (Paperback)

This is a great tool for the pastor and serious bible student,for use in sermon prepration, getting to the root of a word and the nuances of verbs. Great help.

4.0 out of 5 stars Christian products, October 31, 2011

By 

rgoodwi - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Using New Testament Greek in Ministry: A Practical Guide for Students and Pastors (Paperback)

I like so many others use the internet for certain. Items from certain. Sources. I do appreciate. Amazon for for quality. And quantity. Also very good service. These are things. Not seen so much these days. Tks