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has anyone had experience with learning Greek by the Rosetta stone method we see advertised on TV? Is this the Greek we need to know to read the Greek Bible?
thanks for the help

While I haven't used the Rosetta Stone software, I would think it would not be very helpful in learning to read the Greek New Testament, for two reasons...

1. I believe (though I'm not positive) that Rosetta Stone deals with spoken language learning - you learn to speak it, but not read or write it.

2. The Rosetta Stone software almost certainly teaches modern Greek; the NT was written in Koine Greek, which is an ancient version of the language.


Here's an example: you could learn modern English from software like this, but it wouldnt help you understand Old English or possibly even middle English, even though you might be able to pick out some of the words. There's just been too much growth and change in the language in the intervening centuries. Same thing with Greek.

In a kind of reverse way, I learned Koine (New Testament) Greek. I can sort of read modern Greek, but I cannot understand someone speaking it (mostly because they talk too fast!).
Koine Greek is not too different in the simple things like letters and conjuncitons (and, but, etc.) but from what I understand, Koine is actually more complicated as far as word endings and grammar go.
All that to say, I would spend your money (Rosetta is not cheap!) buying materials to learn Koine specifically, if not finding a class on it somewhere. I would encourage you to learn it, as it really helps illuminate Scripture and interpretation.

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Στηθι εδραιος, ως ακμων τυπτομενος. - Ignatius |II Timothy 4:2| All Scripture is NKJV, unless a translation from the Greek text or otherwise noted.
M.A. Theological Studies (New Testament), Faith Seminary, Tacoma WA
Member, Evangelical Theological Society, North American Patristics Society.
Assistant Editor and contributing author of several published and forthcoming publications.

Personally I've tried Rosetta Stone for Chinese, French and I didn't enjoy/get much from their learning techniques. Staring at pictures and doing guess work over randomly repeated phrases I found frustrating. I much prefer Pimsleur, as their focus is more on pronounciation and practical conversational. Plus I think it's cheaper than rosetta stone. Amazon has Pimsleur Greek 1 for $345, I'd say its worth it if you want to invest seriously into learning a language.

http://www.amazon.com/Greek-I-Pimsleur- ... 0743508890

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Studying MDiv. (Biblical Studies) at Tyndale Seminary
My Pastor's testimony "Street Kid to Preacher" - http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p ... 1A10FF286C