Review of "Basics of Verbal Aspect in Biblical Greek," by Constantine R. Campbell (Part 1)

One of the reasons I started this blog is for the purpose of reviewing books that I am currently reading. Right now, I am reading through Constantine Campbell's nice little book on verbal aspect of Greek. I am still learning about verbal aspect as I go along, so I am certainly not an expert on the issue, but I hope you join with me in learning more about it along the way. So, without further adieu . . .

Campbell, Constantine R. Basics of Verbal Aspect in Biblical Greek. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008.

So who is Constantine Campbell? Well, he an expert in Biblical Greek. He received his PhD from Macquarie University and is lecturer in Greek and New Testament at Moore Theological College in Australia. Other than this book on verbal aspect, Campbell has written other books on verbal aspect, Greek studies, union with Christ, and a commentary, including Paul and Union with Christ: An Exegetical and Theological Study, Advances in the Study of Greek: New Insights for Reading the New Testament, and Colossians and Philemon: A Handbook on the Greek Text.

Campbell's purpose in this book is to present an accessible overview of Biblical Greek verbal aspect, knowing full-well that most books on the subject are meant for fellow scholars (11). He wants readers to see both positive and negative insights that come from knowing verbal aspect while reading the New Testament in Greek. Negatively, he wants readers to see the errors of both scholars and pastors alike because of misunderstanding of Greek verbs. For example, many pastors and scholars in the past have argued that in Romans 5:6 the aorist verb describes a once-and-for-all action. This, however, does not come from the aorist verb (13). Positively, he wants readers to see the new exegetical possibilities that can come from understanding verbal aspect. For example, what if in 2 Timothy 4:6-7, Paul is not describing the end of his ministry ("I have fought," "I have finished," "I have kept the faith")? What if these verbs should be translated "more like present indicatives"? (15). Finally, Campbell's purpose for this book is argumentative as well, as he argues that against past and current scholars on debatable issues in the field of verbal aspect.

This review of Campbell's book will go one chapter at a time, a blog post for each chapter. And then at the end, I will try to bring out some positive insights and negative critiques and whether the book and its conclusions are significant for reading and understanding the New Testament.

Heck, a review of chapter one might even come a little bit later on tonight.