Andy Naselli

Thoughts on Theology

Greek

Phrasing: My Favorite Way to Trace an Argument

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The best part about knowing the biblical languages is tracing the argument.

The main tool we use for this at Bethlehem College & Seminary is Biblearc.

Biblearc

Biblearc initially focused exclusively on tracing the argument by a method called arcing. It is a method that John Piper and Tom Steller developed after learning it from Dan Fuller.

Last year Biblearc added bracketing.

And this year it added phrasing. Phrasing is my favorite method for tracing the argument because it’s so intuitive and clear.

Phrasing goes by many names:

  • block diagramming
  • causal layout
  • grammatical diagramming
  • phrase diagramming
  • propositional displays
  • propositional outlines
  • sentence flow
  • text hierarchy
  • thought-flow diagramming

Phrasing is a flexible and easy-to-use Bible study tool that allows you to visually trace a passage’s argument: simply indent to subordinate. The Biblearc phrasing feature has all sorts of mark-up features from arrows to relationship comments to Dot Notes.

My colleagues Jason DeRouchie and Brian Tabb teamed up with Andy Hubert to show how it works in these five videos:

1. Introduction to Biblearc’s Phrasing Module

[Read more…] about Phrasing: My Favorite Way to Trace an Argument

Logos 6 Propositional Outlines: An Interview with the Author

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I think that the best part about knowing New Testament Greek is that it helps you better trace the flow of the argument.

That’s why one of my favorite features in Logos 6 is the propositional outlines. Mark Keaton, the primary author, kindly agreed to answer some questions about his work:

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Mark Keaton. I graduated with an M.Div. from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2011. For two years, I was the Greek editor of the Bible Sense Lexicon. For the past year, I’ve been the creator and editor of the Lexham Propositional Outlines for Logos 6. And most recently by the grace of God, I’ve been called to be the pastor of Harper Creek Baptist Church in Battle Creek, Michigan. (Our website is a little dated, but we’re working on it!)

2. What are the Lexham Propositional Outlines in Logos 6?

Here’s a quick video overview showing the Lexham Propositional Outlines in action:

3. What did you do to create the Propositional Outlines in Logos 6? [Read more…] about Logos 6 Propositional Outlines: An Interview with the Author

The Handy Guide to New Testament Greek: Grammar, Syntax, and Diagramming

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HuffmanThis little book’s title sums it up:

Douglas S. Huffman. The Handy Guide to New Testament Greek: Grammar, Syntax, and Diagramming. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2012. 112 pp.

This 13-page PDF excerpt includes the table of contents.

Part 3 (pp. 83-106) is by far the most helpful section of the book.

Outline of part 3: [Read more…] about The Handy Guide to New Testament Greek: Grammar, Syntax, and Diagramming

James: The Latest Volume in B&H’s Exegetical Guide to the Greek NT Series

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VlachosIn 2010 I shared my top five books on the letter of James and interviewed Chris Morgan on the theology of James.

Now I’d add this book to that top-tier list:

Chris A. Vlachos. James. Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2013. 225 pages.

This sample 53-page PDF includes

  • Endorsements by Craig Blomberg, Darrell Bock, Peter Davids, Rob Plummer, Tom Schreiner, and Bob Yarbrough
  • The table of contents
  • Doug Moo’s foreword
  • Other front matter
  • The introduction and notes on James 1:1–4

Prepositions and Theology in the Greek New Testament

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coverThis impeccably researched book is scheduled to release on October 23:

Murray J. Harris. Prepositions and Theology in the Greek New Testament: An Essential Reference Resource for Exegesis. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012.

About Harris

Harris presently resides in New Zealand and is professor emeritus of New Testament exegesis and theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. Previously he was Warden of Tyndale House in Cambridge.

I’ve profited significantly from his written works, especially these four books:

  1. Jesus as God: The New Testament Use of Theos in Reference to Jesus. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1992.
  2. Slave of Christ: A New Testament Metaphor for Total Devotion to Christ. New Studies in Biblical Theology 8. Downers Grove: IVP, 1999.
  3. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians: A Commentary on the Greek Text. New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005.
  4. Colossians and Philemon. 2nd ed. Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2010.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t at Trinity when I was a student there (2006–2010). But I’ve recently enjoyed working with him on a forthcoming project (more on that later), and I’ve heard Don Carson tell some fascinating stories about him. [Read more…] about Prepositions and Theology in the Greek New Testament