Assessing New Testament lexicography : a proposal plan for an integrated synthesis between Bauer-Arndt-Gingrich-Danker and Louw-Nida

Abstract

Chapter one of this thesis is an overview and evaluation of a number of English language Bible dictionaries. It is followed by a similar evaluation of Greek and Hebrew dictionaries commonly used by Bible scholars. Chapter two is a somewhat thoroughinvestigation and evaluation ofBauer-ArndtGingrich- Danker Greek lexicon, an extremely influential traditional Greek language dictionary. It is followed by an in-depth discussion and evaluation in chapters three and four ofthe new Louw-Nida Greek lexicon based on semantic domains. Both of these two types of dictionaries are examined and evaluated in terms of discovering, describing, and evaluating their distinctive philosophies, methods, and structural formats. Generally, preference is given to the principles ofLouw; yet affirming some elements of Bauer which have been discarded in the new approach by Louw-Nida. Chapter five is a new suggested synthesis for New Testament lexicons: Bauer's traditional structure mixed with the innovative underlying philosophies and methods ofLouw-Nida's lexicon. This proposed new format is also illustrated in various addenda.