REL 2040: Great Books: The Bible and Western Culture

Fall 2013

Dr. Peter Bekins

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ANALYTICAL ESSAYS

Purpose. This semester you will write three analytical essays. Each essay will have the same basic

format and be graded with the same rubric. The essay is your chance to engage with the “big ideas” of

the class and synthesize what you have learned with your prior knowledge and further research.

Format. Each essay should be 2 to 3 pages (500 to 750 words in double-spaced 12 point Times font).

Essays significantly under or over these limits will be not be accepted. If you are unsure about your

essay’s length, ask. Follow the basic MLA format and list your name, my name, course number, and

date in the upper left-hand corner as follows:

Your Name

Dr. Bekins

REL 2040

Fall 2013

Grading. Each essay is worth 100 points. Essays will be graded based on three main areas: argument,

organization, and language. For more detail see separate “Grading Rubric”. Late papers will not be

accepted. As per the syllabus, you may choose to re-write one of the essays. Pleas follow the re-write

policy.

Structure. The essay should have a clear main idea as well as introductory and concluding remarks. If

your are uncertain about your writing ability, it will probably be best to stick to the standard three-point,

five paragraph structure. If you are more confident, then you may experiment with more sophisticated

formats. For writing help I reccomend Purdue’s Online Writing Lab (OWL):

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/

How do ancient parallels help us read the Bible?

This essay is designed to introduce the comparative method in Bible studies. Select one biblical text that

has a significant parallel in the ancient world. Examples include the Flood (Gen 6-9), the Covenant Code

(Exod 20:22-23:33), the Words of the Wise (Prov 22:17-24:22), and the Creation Stories (Gen 1-2). Your

thesis statement should answer the question above in relation to your chosen text. Be sure to use

specific examples of similarities and contrasts between your text and its parallel(s) in support of your

argument.

What is the social function of ritual purity in the Priestly theology?

This essay is designed to demonstrate an inter-disciplinary approach to the study of the Bible by

engaging the anthropological approach to purity and ritual. Begin by working through the handout “Mary

Douglas and Leviticus” (on Pilot). Next, pick a law or set of laws from Leviticus related to ritual purity to

be the topic of your essay. Your thesis should answer the above question, using your chosen law(s) as

the central example. Begin by summarizing the overall function of the purity laws and then demonstrate

how this framework helps to explain the specific law(s) that you have chosen.

Who was the Historical Jesus?

This essay is designed to introduce the “Quest for the Historical Jesus.” You will write a critical analysis

that summarizes and evaluates one view of the Historical Jesus. Begin with the handout “Historical

Jesus” (on Pilot). Next, choose one of the following scholars for your topic: Geza Vermes, E.P. Sanders,

John Dominic Crossan, Richard Horsley, or N.T. Wright. Summarize your scholar’s view with evidence