Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant (when in the presence of the author), August 21, 2002
By A Customer
I am just completing my Elementary Greek course at Concordia Seminary - St. Louis taught by Dr. Voelz. I must admit that when I looked at the book before class I found it confusing, difficult, and completely unhelpful, however, now, after spending nine weeks with it and its author, I find it an amazing resource that I will use for years to come. When combined with Voelz brilliant classroom technique (I praise God daily that he has a humorous, energetic, and multi-dimensional style) that he has been perfecting for the past 26 years the confusion of a straight read disappears and the book seems to come straight from heaven. While there are some improvements to make in later editions (like teaching aspect from the beginning), I'd say this one is a 1 star on its own and a 5 with Voelz.
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13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Best used w/ good instructor!, August 31, 2002
Voelz's "Fundamental Greek Grammar" is a textbook definitely geared towards teaching grammar in a methodical manner. It should not be mistaken for a reference grammar, although I have found that after using it in class for 10 weeks at the seminary, it was pretty easy to flip through it and find the information you need when working on a translation. The book is written in a fairly technical manner, which I think would make it very difficult for a person to teach themselves Greek. However, with a good instructor who can simplify some of the concepts, it can (along with A LOT of study) give a beginning student the basic tools he needs to begin reading and understanding the Greek language. Oh, and one important note, this is a book for Koine Greek grammar, NOT Classical Greek grammar, although there is significant overlap (as I've been told). Bottom line on the book is that it is a difficult text, but can be very useful if taught with an excellent teacher (as I was fortunate to have).
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
See the 3rd. Edition -- This ed. Rates 5 Stars, November 11, 2007
Thankfully, as of November 2007, the 3rd edition of Voelz's Fundamental Greek Grammar is available from the publisher CPH, St. Louis, MO. It has been greatly reworked and the various typos, etc. removed. It would appear that a better Greek font has been used not to mention the use of Arial font(the most easily character recognizable font for those with visual and / or neurological deficits, but easier to read in conjunction with the Greek for any reader). You can also download classroom film from csl.edu another remarkable improvement. I am thankful that the author is still about to appreciate the fruit of his labor.
Addendum to original review from 2007 and dated June, 2009:
I noted other reviews that would seem to have been pertinent to editions prior to the 3rd. ed. and felt compelled to add to my previous review. I would encourage anyone considering the text book, and that is what it is, a text book for the Koine Greek of the New Testament (NT), to ensure that it is the 3rd. ed. and not an earlier ed. It is a preparatory text to familiarize students with the "Koine" so that they can begin seeing and appreciating the precision of the language and how Dr. Voelz would point out, "Context is king." It is up to the serious student to proceed in further study, especially clergy, so that they can interpret the NT properly. It was most unfortunate the earlier editions had typos of various sorts but should not be held against the author who provided corrections to his students.
I note that there are vendors selling the text used for rather remarkable amounts. It would serve the buyer / student to get a new copy of the 3rd. ed. directly from the publisher, CPH St. Louis than to get an old ed. without the benefit of corrections. I felt that this information is important to potential buyers of this text by a gentleman who is one of the best classroom teachers of this subject I have known and whose C.V. from Cambridge suggests more than a passing knowledge of the subject language.
You can take that for what it is worth from an old soldier who respects the author without reservation.
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