religion journal

REL 2040: Great Books: The Bible and Western Culture

Fall 2013

Dr. Peter Bekins

Class Journal 5. This journal is designed to help you synthesize the content of the class lectures and

also provide me with feedback. The journal is due by Thursday, December 12. Please submit the hard

copy to my box in the religion office, 370 Millett, before 5:00 PM or send an electronic copy to

[email protected] by 11:59 PM.

Week 13 The Gospels

Tue Nov 19. Re-consider the Markan enigmas. Summarize the three main puzzles. Why Mark would

present the gospel in this manner?

Thu Nov 21. Re-consider the healing type-scenes from the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. What

are the basic elements of a healing story? What does Luke communicate by using the same framework

for a healing story in Acts that he used in his gospel?

Minute Summary. What did you find most surprising this week?

Week 15 Other Books

Tue Dec 3. Contrast adoptionist Christology with John’s view of a pre-existent Christ. Why might early

communities have believed in Jesus of Nazareth as the adopted “Son of God”?

Thu Dec 5. Re-read the description of the “beast” in Revelation 12:18-13:3. In what way has the author

of Revelation re-used imagery from Daniel’s vision of the four sea monsters?

Minute Summary. What was the most interesting thing you learned this semester?