What is New Testament Greek?  
New Testament (or more accurately Koine/"common") Greek was the language that the masses spoke in the Mediterranean world and the Near East from roughly 300BC-500AD. It spread as a consequence of Alexander the Great's conquests (336-323BC) and the subsequent carve up of his empire among his generals (who took over, among other places, Egypt, Syria and Palestine). By the New Testament era (c.50-100AD) Koine had become the lingua franca of the Roman Near East. It was spoken by emperors and slaves alike. Thus the first Jewish Christians proclaimed the story about Jesus through the written and spoken medium of Greek rather than Hebrew or Aramaic. Linguistically Koine evolved out of the Attic Greek that Plato and Aristotle had spoken in the 5th-4th century BC. Grammarians, both contemporary and ancient, consider Koine to be debased or corrupt in comparison with the Greek spoken in Athens during its intellectual and cultural heyday. But it is precisely because Koine took root among, and was shaped and moulded by, the lower orders of Graeco-Roman society that the Christian message spread as far and wide as it did.

Why should we study New Testament Greek if there are so many modern versions of the bible available?
Perhaps one of the problems today, especially in the English speaking world, is that there are too many bible versions to choose from. Which is the most accurate and reliable? And how can we know? It is important to remember, whatever version we choose to read, that it is only a translation. The scholars who produced such notable versions as the KJV (King James Version), the NIV (New International Version), the GNB (Good News Bible), and the NRSV (New Revised Standard Version) have all in their different ways brought doctrinal and theological biases to bear on the task of translation. In some respects this is inevitable, especially if there are potential ambiguities in the way a text might be translated. However if we don't read New Testament Greek we are not in a position to evaluate the merits or flaws of a particular reading. Take, for instance, the NRSV and NIV rendition of Rom 9:5: the former suggests that Christ is "over all", the latter that he is "God over all". Which reading, if either, is correct? Without a grounding in New Testament Greek it is impossible to address this question or even have an intelligent opinion about it. Studying New Testament Greek helps us to cultivate independence from translations. It also enables us to cultivate independence from bible commentators. Like translators commentators bring personal or denominational biases to scriptural interpretation. Without a working knowledge of Greek one could not, for instance, argue against the popular notion that St Paul did not write Ephesians or the Pastoral Epistles. Understanding New Testament Greek therefore is of crucial significance for exegesis and apologetics, particularly in an age in which biblical literacy is in marked decline.

Do you have to be clever to study New Testament Greek?
The simple answer is no - and nor do you have to be young! Past students have included housewives, clergy, pensioners, school teachers, scientists, journalists, A level students, bus drivers, civil servants, au pairs, political activists, gardeners, and the unemployed! The best and most successful students are those who are enthusiastic. Individuals with a passion to understand the New Testament for spiritual, pastoral, or theological reasons (these tend to be people involved in church life) usually overcome any obstacles to learning through sheer determination. As with learning all languages students need to be patient and willing to put in a bit of work if the grammar and vocabulary are going to stick. Anybody prepared to do a little Greek often is likely to achieve their goal of reading the Greek New Testament.

How long does it take to get a working knowledge of New Testament Greek?
Beginners will be translating texts from the gospels and epistles from the very outset - so in a sense gaining a working knowledge of New Testament Greek is an on-going process rather than a distant end product. By the half way stage, at any rate, students should be competent enough to tackle substantial parts of texts like 1 John as well as sections of Mark's gospel. At the end of the course students should be able to read any part of the Greek New Testament with the aid of a dictionary.

How are Read New Testament Greek courses run?
The Beginners NT Greek, Advanced NT Greek, and Septuagint courses are taught either on a weekly basis or over four weekends spread throughout the year.

What teaching style do you adopt in the classroom?
I adopt a very relaxed, laid back approach to teaching. I am very aware that many students who embark on the study of New Testament Greek feel in awe of the subject and their perceived lack of ability. That is why I direct the beginners course at individuals who have no background or schooling in the study of grammar. My aim is to take the terror out of learning a strange, ancient language. Classes therefore are friendly, non-threatening environments where students are not singled out to answer questions and there is no such thing as a "wrong" answer. I initially get students to do translation work in pairs, so nobody need ever feel that they are in it alone. Students are encouraged to interrupt the tutor during tutorials - and strongly encouraged to email or phone him outside class hours if they have questions to ask or bones to pick with him! The atmosphere in classes is warm and convivial, and very frequently humorous - it is very occasionally studious!

Is there a possibility of studying New Testament Greek as a correspondence course?
Yes! Students in the UK, Ireland, Spain, and Canada are currently studying the beginners New Testament Greek course via the Skype internet service. This involves on-line tutorials, e-mail correspondence for marking work, and a 24/7 Q&A e-mail support service. Skype is a very efficient and totally free internet telephone communication link. With the use of a cheap microphone and computer speakers or headphones it offers superb sound quality which far surpasses conventional mobile or telephone media. Its great advantage is that it leaves one's hands free to write and consult books or notes during tutorials. For further information about Skype visit: www.skype.com or contact me for further details.

How much do courses cost?
Courses cost £90 per term for weekly classes(i.e. for nine weeks) and also for w/e programmes (Friday evening, all day Saturday).
Skype one-to-one correspondence courses cost £190 per term.

Are there any academic qualifications to be gained?
The courses run by Read New Testament Greek do not lead to academic qualifications as such as their aim is to provide a church based programme for people of all ages and abilities. However former students have used their grounding in New Testament Greek to pursue degree courses in subjects like Classics and Theology at the Open University and mainstream universities. Anybody interested in accessing third level Classical or New Testament Greek courses will be offered advice and assistance regarding full and part-time study opportunities.

How will I know if I'm up to taking a New Testament Greek course?
Courses are normally advertised up to four months in advance of their starting date. During that time I will be available to discuss each course with potential students and help them decide whether or not they are suitable for the programme of their choice. Most people are. As I have suggested above enthusiasm is the most important factor in determining whether an individual is likely to stick the course. Obviously if you have no language aptitude whatsoever New Testament Greek might not be the subject for you. But if you are seriously interested in reading the New Testament in Greek, and are not shy about doing a bit of homework outside class hours, then you have every chance of successfully completing the course.