Students who seek to gain proficiency in the biblical languages may now enroll in an online Greek course that will be taught during the 2016-17 academic year. This is the second year that this course will be offered, with Dr. James W. Voelz, longtime Greek instructor and graduate professor of Exegetical Theology, again teaching the sessions.

The course is designed to serve two groups of students: First, those who have completed the Specific Ministry Pastor program (SMP) and are continuing their studies toward nonrestricted certification in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Second, those who plan to enroll at Concordia Seminary in the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program but do not have access to residential Greek instruction.

The course will help prepare both groups of students to take the Entry Level Competency Exam (ELCE) in Greek, an entry-level requirement for both the SMP Alternate Route program and the M.Div. program. The ELCEs consist of up to five exams in Old Testament, New Testament, Christian doctrine, Hebrew and Greek.

Voelz, a pre-eminent Greek scholar who has taught the language for more than 40 years, serves at the Seminary as the Dr. Jack Dean Kingsbury Professor of New Testament Theology. He is the author of Fundamental Greek Grammar and of Mark 1:1-8:26 in the Concordia Commentary series.

The schedule for this course consists of a live online tutoring session from 6-8 p.m. CT Thursdays throughout the three quarters of the academic year. Students should plan to commit eight hours in additional study each week.

“I am very pleased that this online Greek tutorial is being continued. It was certainly successful this past year,” Voelz said. “The ‘flipped classroom’ format works well — students view recently recorded classroom sessions on their own first, and then we debrief ‘live’ online, going over all the practice materials and the Bible passages. Last year’s students said that they felt invited into the study of Greek in a way that ‘is most encouraging’ and that ‘the experience itself [is] exciting and meaningful.’ I’m looking forward to the same positive result this coming year.”

Registration is open here through Aug. 12, 2016, and the course fee is $800 per quarter. Class size will be limited to 15 students.

The course is designed primarily for current and prospective incoming students. If, however, space is available it will be open to anyone wishing to learn Greek. While it is a noncredit course with no prerequisites, a solid understanding of English grammar is essential to success.

To request an application or get more information, contact Gina Matzenbacher in the Registrar’s office at 314-505-7107 or matzenbacherg@csl.edu. Residential summer term and fall term Greek intensive courses continue to be offered by Concordia Seminary. These courses also prepare students for the Greek ELCE and for study of the New Testament in Greek during their Seminary studies.

For information on these classes, contact Rev. Bill Wrede, director of ministerial recruitment and admissions, at 314-505-7200 or wredew@csl.edu.