BIBL 310
Name: Amber Keltner
HISTORICAL BOOKS PROJECT: BIOGRAPHY TEMPLATE
Instructions:
This is the last stage of a three-stage project for BIBL 310. Expanding on the shot biography you
included in the first stage of this project, you will choose one of the figures you outlined to write
an extended biography. This paper must be 2 – 4 pages and must adhere to the Turabian rules of
formatting and style. This paper must include at least two references from two unique scholarly
sources. These sources can be the same as what was used in the first two sections of this project.
Very similar to the Biographical Study project in BIBL 360 (if you chose that assignment), the
project should have the following sections and adhere to the following template.
Observation
A. Character Biography: Select a character. Copy and paste your short biography
from your first paper, then expand the original character biography to 5 – 10
sentences. The biography should include as many details of the following: Name,
Birth, Family background, Early life and training, Conversion, Historical setting,
Geographical movements, Sin, Spiritual life, Major Accomplishments, Death,
Major Lessons.
Ruth- According to the biblical Book of Ruth, Ruth was a Moabite woman
who married into an Israelite family and eventually converted to Judaism. Ruth shows
loyalty and love to Naomi, taking on the role to care for her as Naomi’s son(s) would
have.1 This bond is what paved the way for Ruth to work the fields, then to meet Boaz.
We see that Ruth’s loyalty and love bring it all together for God’s larger picture. She then
becomes the great-grandmother of King David.
The only information provided in the book of Ruth about Ruth's parents is that
she was a Moabite. Since Ruth's story is told while she is married and has lived out the
rest of her adult life, her early years are likewise undocumented. Ruth first lived in Moab
before relocating to Bethlehem. Ruth's choice to remain with Naomi in Bethlehem and
make God her god seems to be the turning point in her spiritual journey. The fact that
1 Lau, Peter Hon Wan. 2010. Identity and Ethics in the Book of Ruth : A Social Identity Approach.
Berlin/Boston: De Gruyter, Inc.. Accessed November 4, 2024. ProQuest Ebook Central.
BIBL 310
Ruth is descended from Christ is one of the main elements of the brief account of her life
in the Bible. Additionally, Ruth's death is not mentioned in the book; instead, it concludes
with a genealogy that leads to David.
B. Setting: determine the historical and geographical setting of your figure.
a. Historical setting (the time in which this person lived):
The events in the Book of Ruth likely took place during the era of the judges,
between 1375 and 1050 B.C., although the book itself was probably written after
1000 B.C.
“In view of the closing references to David (4:17, 22), the earliest
possible date would be after David became king of Israel (ca. 1000 BC).
The reference to the judges (1:1) implies that that historical period had
already closed and lay some distance from the narrator’s time. The
parenthetical comment about legal custom (4:7) may presume similar
chronological distance, though in neither case can one be certain how
long.”2
b. Geographical setting (where he/she lived and/or the areas mentioned
he/she was):
The main locations in this book are Moab and Bethlehem-Judah.
C. Gather the biblical data. Find and list all the passages where this character is
mentioned throughout Scripture. From this list, choose three references and write
a 50-word summary of each event.
2 Hubbard, Robert L., Jr.. 1989. The Book of Ruth. Chicago: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
Accessed November 29, 2024. ProQuest Ebook Central.
BIBL 310
Ruth 1:16: After her husband passes away, Ruth's mother-in-law Naomi offers her
the choice to leave Bethlehem and go back to Moab. Ruth promised to be true to Naomi,
saying she would never abandon her no matter where or when she was. At this juncture,
Ruth further promises that Naomi's god will be her own.
Ruth 2:8: After Ruth started working as a gleaner in a family member named
Boaz's wheat fields, Ruth met Boaz. In addition to letting her glean in her wheat fields,
Boaz assures her that she can remain close to his other employees and that she is no
longer need to glean in other fields. Before he redeems Ruth, as told in Ruth 4, Boaz is
already starting to provide for her.
Matthew 1:5: Outside of the book of Ruth, Ruth is only mentioned by name in
Matthew 1's genealogy of Christ. Ruth is one of four women mentioned in the genealogy
of Christ in Matthew 1:5. Ruth is mentioned in the genealogy of Christ, which not only
places her near King David but also ultimately points to Christ.
Step Two: Interpretation
A. State the teaching principles. Ask yourself, “What does the life of your figure
have to say that is useful for Christian living and for the church in general?” List
and explain at least four principles that you can draw from your study of your
figure. Be sure to use the academic and scholarly secondary sources to fully
develop your explanations.
1) Faithfulness even when the path is unclear and uncertain.
“Ruth could have allowed her questions and doubt to influence her to
leave Naomi. But instead her heart came to grips with what she believed.
She moved from the agony of questions she could not answer to the reality
BIBL 310
of answers she could not escape. She felt a deep conviction that she was to
stay with Naomi. And she followed that conviction.”3
2.) Humility as a result of our blessings
Ruth was extremely fortunate to have met Boaz on multiple occasions.
Ruth was able to obtain provisions by gleaning in the wheat fields, but more
significantly, Boaz gave her the redeemer procedure. Ruth could have easily
grumbled and then boasted about her good fortune, but instead she remained
humble and continued to thank God for his provision.
3.) God’s providence comes to light through ordinary faith
4.) God’s redemption is available to everyone.
B. State your conclusions. Taking the main point of what you have learned, write a
concluding statement of interpretation that summarizes the main teaching of the
person. In other words, in light of your findings, what do you think is the major
teaching point in the life of your character?
Throughout the narrative of Ruth, the fidelity of common people serves as a
testament to God's providential protection. We will come into circumstances in life that
make us wonder, "Will God provide?" Through a daily walk of faith, the book of Ruth
serves as the ideal example of how God always provides for and looks after his children.
Step Three - Application
A. List 3 – 5 application principles from your study. They may be related to the
principles you listed earlier in this exercise as “teaching principles.” Try to
personalize them.
3 Maxwell, John. "Leadership Lessons from Ruth." JohnMaxwell.Com. April 8, 2015.
https://www.johnmaxwell.com/blog/leadership-lessons-from-ruth/.
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Faith is more than words; it is action.
Accepting God's redemption is a requirement, not an option.
Beyond what is visible, God always has a plan, and others are impacted by our
obedience.
B. Choose one of your application principles and write how it can be immediately
applied to your life in 3 – 5 sentences. In other words, what one action can you
take this week to apply one of these principles in your life? Be detailed and
specific. Remember, this should not be so general it could fit with any number of
Biblical characters. Specifically connect this action to your study of your chosen
figure.
Accepting God's redemption is a requirement, not an option. Ruth had to accept
the redemption process even though God had supplied Boaz for it in her story.
Even though God sent Jesus to save us, we still have the freedom to accept or
reject the salvation that God has given us.
C. Write 3 – 5 discussion questions you would include for a Sunday School class or
small group on this figure.
1.) In what ways did Ruth live out the values of her everyday faith?
2.) How does God's redemption impact us in ways other than salvation?
3.) What spiritual significance did Ruth's gleaning in the field have for us?
4.) What does it mean that Boaz decided to save Ruth instead of the closer relative?
BIBL 310
Bibliography
Hubbard, Robert L., Jr.. 1989. The Book of Ruth. Chicago: William B. Eerdmans
Publishing Company. Accessed November 29, 2024. ProQuest Ebook Central.
Lau, Peter Hon Wan. 2010. Identity and Ethics in the Book of Ruth : A Social Identity
Approach. Berlin/Boston: De Gruyter, Inc.. Accessed November 4, 2024. ProQuest
Ebook Central.
Maxwell, John. "Leadership Lessons from Ruth." JohnMaxwell.Com. April 8, 2015.
https://www.johnmaxwell.com/blog/leadership-lessons-from-ruth/.
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