The narratives surrounding the birth of Jesus are quite different from our common notions of the nativity. Compare and contrast the nativity scenes in the gospel of Matthew (2.1-23) and Luke (2.1-20). Propose a reason for the differences between the accounts. What are the different theological points being made by the inclusion of different material?/In the first 3 chapters of the Book of Romans, Paul makes an argument for the universal nature of sin based on “natural law.” What is natural law? What examples does Paul use? What is the structure of Paul’s argument? Do you find it convincing? These are some good questions to answer but there are certainly others that would be relevant.
choose one topic from these:
(1)The narratives surrounding the birth of Jesus are quite different from our common notions of the nativity. Compare and contrast the nativity scenes in the gospel of Matthew (2.1-23) and Luke (2.1-20). Propose a reason for the differences between the accounts. What are the different theological points being made by the inclusion of different material?
2) In the first 3 chapters of the Book of Romans, Paul makes an argument for the universal nature of sin based on “natural law.” What is natural law? What examples does Paul use? What is the structure of Paul’s argument? Do you find it convincing? These are some good questions to answer but there are certainly others that would be relevant.
3) The gospel of Mark has a number of possible endings. Identify the possible endings to Mark and make an argument for which of these endings should be the ending included in the New Testament.
Requirements:
1) The essay should be between 750-1000 words (no more, no less). The essay should be composed in a word processing program (e.g., Microsoft Word).
2) This is an academic essay on certain aspects of the text of the Old Testament not your own reflections about that text. If your only source is “the Bible,” then your research is insufficient. Seek out reputable academic sources to help you write a good academic essay.
3) It should be grammatically correct. While this is not an English composition course, correct grammar is an aspect of clear communication therefore bad grammar will negatively impact your grade insofar as it obscures the point that you are trying to make.
4) Use relevant primary sources, the textbook for the class, research databases on the library web site and other pertinent secondary literature (e.g., specialized encyclopedias or dictionaries, academic monographs and academic articles) in order to craft your essay. Use of internet sources is acceptable but should not constitute the entirety of your research. If an online source replicates a reputable print source, you may cite the print source while using the online source. For example, see “The Catholic Encyclopedia” at http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/.
5) Cite any sources that you used to gather the information for your essay. You may cite sources either parenthetically (with a “works cited” page) or with footnotes. Lack of citation will result in an incomplete grade for the assignment (which in reality is the equivalent of a 0). This essay should constitute original work and failure to comply in this regard will result in an incomplete grade for the assignment. DO NOT copy/paste a wikipedia article (or other similar online source) into the assignment box.
6) These are not reflection essays or journal entries. These are intended to be brief academic essays. Write them as such. A good example of this type of writing can be found in specialized academic dictionaries or encyclopedias. You might refer to Anchor Bible Dictionary (on campus in the library) or Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology (online) for examples of such writing.
