Theology (Social Justice)

UNIT 3 OPTIONAL PAPER

Length of 1100-1900 words

 

 Topic:

Describe the connections between the subject matter of Unit 3 and one of the following world religions: Islam; Judaism; Hinduism; or Buddhism.  To do this, much of your paper will explain biblical knowledge from Unit 3.

 Content:

-Because this is a course in biblical studies, use good method as you have been learning in class. For example, explain biblical content and meaning according to its background, and in its various relevant original contexts, such as historical, geographical, social, economic, political, cultural, literary, and religious.  (Not all of these will apply, but be sure to place biblical knowledge in the Old Testament storyline or meta-narrative as a whole.) 

 

-Include thoughtful reflection on how any of this might apply to one or more specific issues of force, violence, or social justice today. 

 -Feel free to express your own views in addition to (but not instead of) foundational knowledge for the course.

 

Summary.  This is a thinking person’s assignment which moves beyond foundational knowledge for the course.  However, it must be built on foundational knowledge in order to give it substance and credibility.

 

Your target readers.  Write this for someone who has not taken this class

       Your reader has an open Bible and has read the section of Bible covered by Unit 3, so you don’t need to give a systematic survey of the biblical story or content .  For example, if you are referring to the Exodus story, you can explain the meaning of that story, or something in it, without actually repeating the story itself, because your audience has already read it in the Bible, or can look it up.

 

Sources.  Use the following required sources:

       The  textbook Bible Holy Bible: The New Revised Standard Version With the Apocrypha. Oxford University Press.  1989–present.

       The relevant online readings as given in the Daily Schedule for Unit 3. 

       Birch, Bruce C.  What Does the Lord Require?: The Old Testament Call to Social Witness.  Westminster John Knox Press.  1985.

     Donahue, John R.  Seek Justice That You May Live: Reflections and Resources on the Bible and Social Justice.  Paulist Press.

Citation. 

MLA style for citation