Historical Background Analysis

The only resources that are allowed to be used are the three uploads. (Kummel, Brown, and Guthrie)

HISTORICAL BACKGROUNDS ASSIGNMENT

This assignment is worth 100 points. In a 4-6 page essay answer the following questions:

Who is thought to be the author of your document? What are some of the possibilities? Cite both external and internal evidence in your answer.
What do we know about when and where the document was written? What are some of the possibilities? Cite both external and internal evidence in your answer.
What was the historical occasion for the writing of this document? List as many of the reasons why this author wrote as you can. Cite both internal and external evidence in your answer.
The final paragraph should examine your selected target text based on all of your historical background research. How does knowing the author’s identity and/or background impact the meaning of your target text? How does knowing the date and provenance of the document impact the meaning of your target text? How does knowing the historical occasion(s) of the document impact the meaning of your target text? Some historical background information may prove more useful than others.

The essay should abundantly cite the required sources (see below) as well as the biblical book in which the target text appears. Furthermore, the essay should exude all of the qualities of a proper college level research paper: introduction with thesis, well-defined sections, a clear conclusion, and overall writing quality.

***OPTIONALLY, students may meet with the professor at a scheduled time (determined by a provided sign-up sheet). In this meeting students must bring a rough draft representing at least 50% of the paper. In this meeting the professor will look over your work, offer extra advice and guidance, and answer questions.

Note: Be sure to cite both primary and secondary sources throughout the paper as evidence of your research.

Tools needed for this assignment (all can be found here):

Brown, Raymond E. An Introduction to the New Testament. New York: Doubleday, 1997.

Guthrie, Donald. New Testament Introduction. Fourth Edition. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1990.

Kummel, Werner G. Introduction to the New Testament. Nashville: Abingdon, 1975.

***Do NOT use any other tools, including any internet websites.

Special note to majors of biblical studies and ministry: your special package of Logos contains added resources that you may choose to use in the Historical Background assignment. You are not required to do this. Special instructions:

You MUST still use Raymond Brown’s book but you may replace Kummel and/or Guthrie with the following Logos sources:

Colossians

O’Brien, Peter T.. “Colossians, Letter to The.” Pages 147-153 in Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. Edited by Gerald F. Hawthorne, Ralph P. Martin, and Daniel G. Reid. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

To access this source, click on Library, and in the window that appears search for “Dictionary of Paul and His Letters.” Within this source find the article titled “Colossians, Letter to The.” It is helpful to use the source’s side panel to find articles.
Also note how I cite this text above. Although the book has many authors and editors, there is only one author of the section you will be citing. So cite that author in the bibliography, parenthetical citations, and/or footnotes.

Davids, Peter H. “Introduction to Colossians.” Pages 229-241 in Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, Philemon. Volume 16. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2008.

To access this source, click on Library, and in the window that appears search for “Cornerstone Biblical Commentary” which will result in numerous results. Scroll to find the volume covering Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, and Philemon. Once inside the source, it is helpful to use the source’s side panel to find the introduction to Colossians.
Also note how I cite this text above. Although the book has many authors and editors, there is only one author of the section you will be citing. So cite that author in the bibliography, parenthetical citations, and/or footnotes.

Matthew

Brown, J.K. “Matthew, Gospel Of.” Pages 570-584 in Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. Edited by Joel B. Green, Jeannine K. Brown, and Nicholas Perrin. Downers Grove, IL; IVP Academic, 2013.

To access this source, click on Library, and in the window that appears search for “Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels.” Within this source find the article titled “Matthew, Gospel of.” It is helpful to use the source’s side panel to find articles.
Also note how I cite this text above. Although the book has many authors and editors, there is only one author of the section you will be citing. So cite that author in the bibliography, parenthetical citations, and/or footnotes.

David L. Turner. “Introduction to Matthew.” Pages 3-29 in Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: Matthew and Mark. Volume 11. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2005.

To access this source, click on Library, and in the window that appears search for “Cornerstone Biblical Commentary” which will result in numerous results. Scroll to find the volume covering Matthew and Mark. Once inside the source, it is helpful to use the source’s side panel to find the introduction to Matthew.
Also note how I cite this text above. Although the book has many authors and editors, there is only one author of the section you will be citing. So cite that author in the bibliography, parenthetical citations, and/or footnotes.