Modern Theological German: A Reader and Dictionary (Sociology of Education) Paperback – August 1, 1997

I graduated with a Bachelor's in October, and have been in an interim period before beginning graduate school in January. As someone intending to eventually earn a PhD in New Testament, knowing how to read German is crucial. This book was recommended highly in Dr. Nijay Gupta's "Prepare, Succeed, Advance: A Guidebook for Getting a PhD in Biblical Studies and Beyond" (another very valuable resource); thus, I decided to order it. It has been very satisfactory in challenging one's reading in German. The strategy of the book is quite brilliant, as it begins with several selections from the Bible - assuming one is familiar with such texts - before moving onto more difficult selections from theological articles and the like. The German text is printed on the right-side page, while English translations of less familiar words/phrases/idioms are printed on the left, corresponding with the pagination of said German expressions on the right side. This is very helpful and is a useful tool for broadening one's vocabulary.The key thing to bear in mind before purchase, however, is that this book assumes the reader's proficiency with most aspects of German grammar. This book should NOT be used as a way to learn German grammar. However, one does not need to be completely proficient before he/she is able to make good use of this book. I studied a German grammar book for just over a month before I purchased this, and am able to work my way through the Biblical sections (especially Matthew and John) without much difficulty - this is where the left-side, English translation of uncommon expressions is very helpful.Overall this book is a great addition to the library of someone who finds himself/herself in need of German literacy, and especially current/prospective graduate or doctoral student of Biblical studies.

The book is interlinear German English on opposing pages with dictionary. I like that format. There are index numbers on both pages to help locate and compare text. The German is NOT a word for word translation, but selects key words and phrases and translates them. The rest is up to the student-reader. I agree with the review that said this was a good book for someone with 'some'German instruction. It is NOT a basic reader for the German beginner. In my case 'some' is 50 year old high school German and it helped! I have a 200 year old Martin Luther Bible and a Kindle interlinear. The book's Biblical selections in German tracks both very well. I am so pleased. Also the contemporary type face helps me decipher the M.L. 1800's script print font. So this book helps me read the German script of the 'Heilige Schrift'. There are questions at the end of each short selection that helps one with the grammar. However that grammar is not very well explained or not explained at all except for a couple pages of regular and irregular verbs, which is one reason this is not a basic German tutorial text. It is too bad the author does not offer a companion CD for pronunciation! This is indeed theological German subject matter and I do note that many Biblical scripture 'specialty words' are not in my Berlitz or Random House dictionaries but are in my 1850's German dictionary! Why? Once upon a time the Bible was a grade school text-reader. I have my fathers and it was his 5th through 8th grade school reader. My book was advertised as used good condition and it arrived as new. All in all I am pleased to have it in my library.

Used in my German II class at SEBTS, very helpful for learning theological German, but the quality of the book could have been better. Sections of the book fell out within a week. Besides that the content was great. However, some of the glosses Ziefle gives are not necessarily theologically correct or appropriate. This is due to his Ziefle's English edutation rather than a theological education.

Great book for anyone interested in learning to read some biblical selections and modern theologians in German. Despite the scary cover :-) there is no Fraktur (ornate Gothic script) in this book. Plenty of scriptures and theology with a huge, immensely helpful dictionary at the end. I would love to see a version of this book on German theology from earlier writers.

It is a very useful book, it has a great dictionary in the back and good introductions to chapters. I like how it has both English and German translations.Very simple to use, very helpful.

Good Resource. Good Seller

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