Theology students have it harder in other areas, but not in learning Greek. While I’m struggling through Plato and Herodotus, they’re generally translating shorter, more straightforward sentences. The nerve of them! Don’t they have to deal with bizarre verb forms, multiple dependent clauses, and the general uppitiness of the writers? Instead, they’re translating the stuff that sweaty-armpitted fishermen wrote so that other unwashed fisherman could understand. The New Testament was written in Koine so that it would be wonderfully accessible to anyone who would listen. But don’t take my word for it. Learn Attic, and it may drive you temporarily insane: Koine Greek is a cinch.
Found in Antiquity 
3 responses to “When Classics students talk with Theology students”
I loved studying Classics at uni, but when I got to the point where I had to try and master Latin or Classical Greek to keep going . . . I sort of gave up!
So good on you for not being turned off by translating! 🙂
Thanks Matt! In a way, the ancient language barrier makes it tough… but if you enjoy learning Greek and Latin, translation is fun, like solving a puzzle. I’m sure you could totally do it too 😛
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