Noteworthy Blog - Hellenisti Ginoskeis: Do You Know Greek?

One of the occasional commenters on this blog, Dan Phillips, has started a new blog entitled Hellenisti Ginoskeis: Do You Know Greek? According to Dan, the purpose of the blog:

"is all about reading, understanding, translating the Greek New Testament. My essays here are not necessarily disciplined, definitive articles. They are musings, observations, puzzlings, popping-offs, speculations, complaints, pronouncements, questions. I hope other students of the Greek New Testament will join in the Comments, to our mutual growth in understanding this God-breathed marvel"

The entries thus far are substantive and thought-provoking. But even more importantly, they tangibly demonstrate the value of working in the original Greek of the NT. I have already made this new blog one of my frequent stops in the blogosphere, and encourage you to do so as well. I am adding it to my list of links on the sidebar as well to encourage others to stop by and join the conversation.

Wide-Margin, Large-Print NA27 Coming Soon

For those (like me) whose eyesight is challenged by the font of the "normal" sized Nestle-Aland 27th ed. Greek New Testament and want more space in the margins to make notes, next month the German Bible Society will be releasing a Wide-Margin Edition Novum Testamentum Graece 27th ed. next month. It will be essentially the same length as the large print edition, but about 3/4 of an inch wider to allow for more room in the margins for notes.

Also available in March will be a Wide-Margin Edition Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia 4th ed.

No definitive word yet as to whether there will be a one-volume wide-margin text that combines the two.

Seminary for Free!

Grace Theological Seminary (where I teach) has recently announced its first ever Presidential Scholarship Competition. This scholarship provides full tuition as well as a monthly housing allowance for three years for those pursuing the M.Div., making it worth a total of $58,800! This scholarship will be granted to one incoming student beginning Fall 2007. Other scholarships (one-time, not annual) are available as well: 3 Trustees scholarships worth $2,000 each; 3 Faculty scholarships worth $1,000 each; 3 Achievement Scholarships worth $500 each. These scholarships are being offered in connection with our Glimpse of Grace event on March 23-24. This scholarship may be just the opportunity that you have been waiting for!

For further information, please follow the links above, email our Seminary Recruitment director Ryan Egli (eglirn@grace.edu), or call him (574-372-5100 x6435).

The Purpose of Parables (Mark 4:10-12)

In response to the question of why he teaches in parables, Jesus says "To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside get everything in parables, 12 so that WHILE SEEING, THEY MAY SEE AND NOT PERCEIVE, AND WHILE HEARING, THEY MAY HEAR AND NOT UNDERSTAND, OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT RETURN AND BE FORGIVEN." (Mark 4:11-12)

Several questions arise from Jesus' answer:

1. Does Jesus use parables to intentionally prevent some from seeing, hearing, repenting, etc.?

2. What exactly does the phrase "mystery of the kingdom of God" mean?

3. How does the "citation" of Isa 6:9 fit with the larger context of Mark?

4. How does the larger context of Mark illuminate Jesus' statement here?

The floor is now yours ...