Ecumenical Theological Seminary

BLK 6102, Fall Semester 2026 …

This online course will focus on developing the student’s skills in Greek grammar, syntax, rhetoric, and literary matrixing through reading and analysis of synoptic gospel parallels and theoretical arguments related to the existence Q. We will also read secondary analysis of hidden transcripts in Q as resistance to the economic exploitation and oppression of empire.

We will explore questions related to the problem of the meaning of “son of man” (surprisingly, still an unresolved and open question in academic circles today), community identity and leadership struggles in the early church, inclusive vs. exclusive ideologies in the gospels, social and cultural peculiarities for each of the gospels, racial and gender justice, and a lot more, all based on the Greek text.

One of the primary aims is for the student to have fun with inductive reading processes. We will review grammar (etc.) as needed. The professor for this course has 40+ years of formal and personal advanced studies in Classical and Koine Greek. It is assumed that before enrolling the student will have completed at least the equivalent of one year of Greek. This is a master’s degree-level course, although undergraduate students who have completed at least one year of Greek are also invited to enroll.

Audits and continuing education units (CEUs) are available for this course. As a school fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, all credits earned at Ecumenical Theological Seminary are transferrable at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

The course meets Wednesdays online for 15 weeks, from 6–9:00 pm, beginning August 26.

For more information contact …

James Waddell, Ph.D.

Ecumenical Theological Seminary

jwaddell@etseminary.edu