Posted: June 10th, 2015

General requirements for discussion :

General requirements for discussion :

• Your posts should show that you read the assignment carefully and critically. In general, this requires that you take notes on the readings. All references to the Bible should contain chapter and verse citations. [E.g. In Exodus God gives the 10 commandments of Moses (Exodus 20:1-17)]. References to other, “secondary” readings should note the title in parentheses [e.g. The Gospel of Luke was written after the Gospel of Mark (CSB Reading Guide, Gospel of Luke)].
• I will close the discussion boards after a few days. This is to prevent you from going back and posting in a discussion long after we have moved on to other material.
• You may post ahead of the dates.
Point value for posts:
Up to 5 points — Student introduces a new discussion thread that is clearly related to the assigned reading. It shows careful and insightful reading and it invites discussion with other students.
Up to 4 points –Student’s post shows careful engaged reading of assignment and relates it to a news item, a literary work, a work of visual art, a piece of music or a movie.
Up to 3 points –Student’s reply to another student’s discussion post shows careful, insightful reading of assignment. All references to the Bible contain chapter and verse citations.
Up to 2 points –Student’s reply to a discussion prompt shows careful, engaged reading of the assignment. All references to the Bible contain chapter and verse citations.
1 point –Student’s post shows minimal evidence that assigned reading was completed in a careful, critical manner.

ANSWER EACH QUESTION NOT MORE THEN ½ PAGE:
MUST USE The New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha: New Revised Standard Version; Oxford University Press; Fourth Edition edition;  ISBN-10: 0195289609; ISBN-13: 978-0195289602

#1 Teaching Truth vs being true
The catechism states that “Scripture firmly, faithfully, and without error teaches that truth which God, for the sake of our salvation, wished to see confided to the Sacred Scriptures.  What is the difference between saying that the Bible “teaches truth” as opposed to saying that it “is true”?
(SEE ATTACHED MATERIAL FOR THIS QUESTION)******** CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

#2 HIstory and the Bible
Some Christians believe studying the historical background of the Bible is unnecessary because they see the Bible as the timeless word of God.  How would you explain why understanding history is important for a deeper understanding of the Bible?

#3 Apocalyptic characteristics of Mark
What characteristics of apocalyptic (see the Reading Guide on Daniel for a list) are displayed by the Gospel of Mark?  List a passage that shows this characteristic.
(SEE ATTACHMENT FOR THIS QUESTION***********

#4 Distinctive Portrayals of Jesus in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke
Each of the assigned passages from Matthew and Luke are unique to those Gospels.  Choose one of the assigned passages and describe one how the portrayal of Jesus differs from Mark’s portrayal of him. YOu can choose from the following passages:
•    Luke 1-2
•    Luke 15
•    Luke 16:19-21
•    Luke 24
•    Matthew 1-2
•    Matthew 5-7
•    Matthew 25:31-46
•    Matthew 28
•    MUST USE The New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha: New Revised Standard Version; Oxford University Press; Fourth Edition edition;  ISBN-10: 0195289609; ISBN-13: 978-0195289602

#5 The lesson of the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man (Luke 16:19-21)
At the end of the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man, the rich man wants Abraham to send Lazarus to his brothers to warn them to repent, lest they find themselves in torment in the afterlife as Lazarus did. Abraham refuses, saying “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.” Looking back on what you have read in the Old Testament (the Law and the Prophets), what should the rich man have learned from the Law and the prophets that would have prevented his condemnation?  Cite passages from the Old Testament that support your answers
•    MUST USE The New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha: New Revised Standard Version; Oxford University Press; Fourth Edition edition;  ISBN-10: 0195289609; ISBN-13: 978-0195289602
#6 Faithfulness to God according to the Gospel
Many recent religious thinkers argue that a faithful life does not require that one be a member of a faith-community (aka a Church); it is only necessary, they say, to follow the teachings of Jesus –especially those expressed in Matt 5-7 and 25: 31-46. Do you think it is necessary to be a member of a faith community/church in order to be faithful to God or is it possible to simply follow the teachings of Jesus without being identified with a particular faith?  Cite any passages from the previous semester to support your position.
Here is a link to an article that advocates that following Jesus can be done without the church.  Follow Jesus, not the Church
SEE ATTACHMENT

#7 God’s actions and God’s requirements
What connections can you find between what God does for Israel in Exodus 1-15 and what God requires of his people in Exodus 20-23, Leviticus 19 and 25 and Deuteronomy 6-8?
•    MUST USE The New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha: New Revised Standard Version; Oxford University Press; Fourth Edition edition;  ISBN-10: 0195289609; ISBN-13: 978-0195289602