Hebrew and Greek with Heiser
Posted By MSH on August 15, 2009
I thought about titling this post “Where Angels Fear to Tread . . . Figures Mike Doesn’t Know Any Better.”
I’ve given the idea I’ll sketch out below considerable thought over the last year. A year ago I asked newsletter subscribers if they would be willing to pay for Greek and Hebrew courses from me. There wasn’t a huge response, but what did come in was positive. I more or less dispensed with the idea as other issues were more pressing. That means I’ve either been inspired in recent weeks to revisit the idea, or that I took a stupid pill. You be the judge.
I’ve decided that I’m going to take a step of faith and try the “learning Hebrew / Greek with Mike” idea. I’ve been prompted by a couple of things. Last year I taught some courses at a local university. None of those courses were ancient languages, but I decided to give students in my ancient Egypt class extra credit if they’d stay 10-15 minutes to learn ancient Egyptian after I dismissed everyone else. I had close to a dozen stick it out the entire quarter, and our progress surpassed my expectations. A few weeks later I discovered online groups (yes, I seem to find everything late) when an Egyptology blog I subscribe to scheduled some Yahoo groups for teaching and learning Egyptian. The idea intrigued me. Next, my employer decided that we need to develop ancient language courseware of some type. Now that I’ve finished my second reverse interlinear, I’m devoting a lot of time at work to thinking through the video lessons I’ll be doing for that. Those won’t be at all like what I’ll describe below (I don’t have the equipment, plus our philosophy for what we’re doing there is pretty non-traditional), but they did at least motivate me. Lastly, I believe that during my lifetime what we think of as professional biblical and theological education may well have to be done off the radar in light of the current and emerging socio-political climate. All these forces have converged to make me think that I need to take a whack at this. If it works, I’ll do more, including non-language courses. Anyone interested in taking Hebrew or Greek with Heiser, read on.
In a nutshell, I’ve plotted out an independent study course for each language that will take an entire year. Students will have two weeks to master each unit (usually a chapter from a grammar, but sometimes more). I will go through each unit and the answers to all exercises in the grammar through the magic of screen capture software (with audio of course). It will (I hope) be the equivalent of having a professor there with you explaining the chapters, exercises, and answers. For questions and interaction with others, I’ve set up a Google Group for each course. I’ll lurk in the groups and incorporate posted questions into my explanatory videos. The course is ideal for beginners and for those who need a refresher.
Sound cool? I think so. But there are some “catches”:
1. It’s still going to be work. You’re only going to get out of it what you put into it. I’m right there with you, but I can’t (and wouldn’t) do the work for you.
2. There’s a cost. I’m not doing it for free, since it’s a real time commitment on my part. To do this I have to axe other things I do for free (and yes, I’m still planning to finish the Myth book by the end of September) and don’t do for free on the side. I’d just rather do this in lieu of the latter, if there is enough interest. The cost is going to be about 10% of what you’d pay at any college, university, or seminary for a year-long course.
3. There’s a schedule. The courses are slated to begin on October 4 and have to be prepaid. I am setting a limit at 15 people, and a minimum of 5 people. If I don’t get five people to sign up, I won’t do the course (and you’ll get a refund). If you aren’t in the 5-15 who sign up by October 4, you won’t get in. You’ll have to wait for the next module (if there is one). Once the courses start, they will move along in two week increments. Within those two weeks, you work according to your own schedule and convenience.
But wait, there’s more! (Sorry, I just wanted to say that).
Well, I guess there really is more. Here are the course syllabi (Hebrew; Greek) that people who sign up will get upon payment. Here is the link on my main website to sign up for the course. I’m administering this through E-Junkie; those who have bought a paper or subscribed to my newsletter know the system. I’ll remove the product link after October 4. Note that if you sign up for both there’s a big discount.
I’ll be sending this announcement out to my email lists, but I wanted to give blog readers the news first. So, the clock is ticking. You have seven weeks, so tell your friends (and maybe some enemies). We’ll see if I can get five people to take the plunge with me.
Comments
25 Responses to “Hebrew and Greek with Heiser”
Leave a Reply
Please note: Comment moderation is currently enabled so there will be a delay between when you post your comment and when it shows up. Patience is a virtue; there is no need to re-submit your comment.
This is so great! Seriously considering taking the Greek (would do both but this would be adding to my new fall semester so i’d like to keep it the load small). Besides, I think my brain would adapt better to the Greek since the script is somewhat familiar to my brain, lol. Let’s see what my school loan money looks like and I will let you know!
I have signed up and paid, but be warned i have been trying to learn Hebrew for over a year now and have not got very far, i’m particularly thick so you have your work cut out my friend wich is all good since it’s your fault i started this task in the first place ! ha ha whos laughing now !
Gday Mike
…………….”Ideal for beginners”…………………Do you mean ZIP!!! knowledge? [Thats not very much or little!!]
Thanks
Drew
Alright!
This may work for me.
Now, where did those kids hide that piggy bank?
I hope to get the Logos software soon. The electronic versions of the books you mention…as far as I can tell, they will work with a Mac? I won’t commit absolutely just yet, but I would very much like to understand Biblical Greek and Hebrew and this might just be the right opportunity. Thanks for all the work you have done and are doing through these blogs and presentations you give at the conferences. I only see them online, but I hunt them down!
[...] A number of people have asked me about doing this over the years, and I’ve finally taking the plunge. Want to learn the biblical languages online, at your own conevnience, with yours truly giving you some help? Read about the idea here. [...]
Im in! My only problem is my two weeks vacation from October 2nd to the 17th to central America. Perhaps, I could start a bit earlier to offset the first two weeks I’ll miss.
Gday Mike
…………….The link to required book [Hebrew] doesnt work.
What i was trying to say in other post is i know Zip about Hebrew.
Thanks
Drew
@drew: Drew, I guess the links don’t work in the PDF. The hard copy book is expensive on Amazon. I would try the actual publisher, though it is currently out of stock:
https://www.eisenbrauns.com/ECOM/_2Q6060OZH.HTM
That said, the electronic book is much cheaper and immediately available:
http://www.logos.com/products/details/2091
@blop2008: You could, since you have the syllabus.
This is an excellent offer and opportunity for those of us who cannot attend a non-internet institute. Sometime ago I bought the set text and was going through it on my own but I think a set course like this will be better for me. Im in!
@stringbox: Yes; Logos is on Mac now (true Mac application). YOu need only the engine/program and the book. Here’s the link for Mac info:
http://www.macbiblesoftware.com/
@drew: yes
Looking forward to it! Thanks for doing this Dr. Heiser.
Steve
Found this yesterday thought it appropriate.
” It has been said that when the student is ready, the teacher appears.”
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Bought the online book thanks Mike
Drew
Hi Mike – I heard from the KHouse BOF that this filled up already. Is that the case?
If so, God bless you and everyone on this initiative!
John
@Steve7: you bet!
@drew: a cool quote!
@jhoben: it’s getting pretty close to filling. There’s been such a good response I am wondering about letting a few more than 15 in. But I know I will have to cut it off.
Just a couple of quick questions:
1. Syllabus lists start in Jan 2010 – is that now the scheduled start or is it Oct.?
2. The system accepted payment for the two course special price; I am making an assumption that means both were still open. Asking only to be sure before acquiring texts.
Thank you.
@bpm: I assume you got my email on this. Somehow, people were ordering the course after I had shut it down. If you didn’t get an email about this, email me directly.
Got it and handled…would have deleted if I could. Thanks.
Will you be offering any courses in 2010, Dr. Heiser? I had you as a LU professor in early 2009 and periodically check in with your various blogs. I am planning on applying to a Ph.D program soon, but don’t want to to tackle a concentration in Global Church History without a sturdier understanding of both languages.
@Charity Remington:
Yes; the next module starts in January. See the link at the top of my home page for registering:
http://www.michaelsheiser.com/
Please give some light on creation still confused Adam and Eve = so many different races
Also The size of the ark ….was it possible to hold two of every creature with food for 40 days