assignments

Web-based Assignments | In-Class Assignments | Essays & Projects | Printable Assignments | Reading Questions | Worksheets


web-based assignments:

Josephus & the Testimonium Flavianum
assigned:
This is a WebQuest designed to introduce students to Textual Criticism, and to the problems associated with the transmission and copying of ancient manuscripts. In the process, students learn about the life of Flavius Josephus, the "Testimonium Flavianum" and about a controversial passage in 1 Corinthians. Please Note: If your browser is not set to a screen resolution of 800x600, this assignment will not display properly. You can view the assignment in an appropriately sized window by clicking here.

The Five Women in Jesus' Genealogy in Matthew
assigned:
This assignment teaches students about the purpose of ancient genealogies. Five women from the OT are mentioned in Matthew's genealogy. Their stories are examined to find an explanation for why Matthew mentions them in a genealogy that is otherwise patrilineal.

The Gospel of John & Jewish Feast Days
assigned:
This WebQuest proposes an explanation for why the Gospel of John the sequence of events in Jesus' life, as well as the events themselves, differently from the synoptics. In the process, students learn about several of the Jewish Feast days.

Greek Transliteration
assigned:
This assignment introduces students to the difficulties inherent in translating the koine Greek in which the New Testament is written. Although not written in Greek, the assignment uses English words "transliterated" using the letters of the Greek alphabet. The text is also written in the style of ancient manuscripts, with no punctuation or spaces between words.
 


in-class assignments:


Introduction to this Site
assigned:
This assignment will introduce you to the resources available on this site, showing you how to use this site to know what's going on in class,  study for tests, research topics, and check out the work done by your fellow students.

The Synoptic Gospels
assigned:
This assignment introduces students to the complexity of the Synoptic Problem, After being introduced to the basics of the problem and some possible solutions (see my Synoptic Problem page) this handout lets students compare four stories from the Synoptic Gospels in a sample "synopsis." Students must mark the material in each story according to its "source" or type: Triple Tradition (Mt+Mk+Lk), Double Tradition (Mt+Lk), Markan (Mk+Mt or Mk+Mt but not all three), or unique material.
 


essays & projects


Essay 1: The Relationship between the Old and New Testaments
assigned:
This is the essay assignment for the first marking period. Click on the title for a detailed explanation of the assignment and the essay requirements and due date.

Essay 2: A Modern Psalter
 assigned:
The essay assignment for the third marking period. Requires that you select a modern song and compare the themes in it to those of the poetic material in the Old Testament. You may submit the assignment by using the Homework Form.

Final Project: Film as Sacrament
 assigned: Due May 3 for Freshmen and Sophomores
The final project requires that students get together in groups (of no more than three) and do a web based presentation on the religious symbolism in a film. To complete the assignment, you will need the following documents:

Religion 1:

Religion & Ethics 2:


printable assignments


Major Old Testament Covenants Compared
assigned:
This assignment asks students to read and compare the OT covenants between Yahweh and Abraham, Moses and David. 

Old Testament Messianic References I: The Former Prophets
assigned:
Chart for comparing passages in 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings (in light of Malachi 3:23-24) to passages in the gospels, to see the relationship between certain messianic prophecies and their fulfillment in gospel accounts of Jesus' life.

Old Testament Messianic References II: The Latter Prophets
assigned:
 Similar to above, this chart compares passages from the Latter prophets (Isaiah, Micah, Zechariah, also Daniel although the book is apocalyptic, not prophetic) to the gospels.

Comparing the Gospels: Details From Jesus' Life
assigned:
This is a list of questions asking for specific details from Jesus' life as they are found in each of the four gospels. Space is provided for an answer from each gospel, so that students can compare the information when they are done.

Thematic Comparison of the Gospel of Luke & Acts of the Apostles.
assigned:
This assignment asks students to compare themes, speeches, and events in the Gospel of Luke to those in Acts of the Apostles. The purpose is to help students see how the author has tried to parallel the beginnings of the church to Jesus' own ministry to suggest that the church continues that ministry faithfully.

New Testament Lists of the Twelve Apostles
assigned:
A blank chart for students to list the twelve apostles according to various New Testament sources, in order to see places of agreement and disagreement in the lists.

Identifying an Argument
assigned:
A list of commonly heard arguments related to religion and ethics. Break the arguments down in to premises and conclusions, then determine the soundness and validity of each argument.

Basic Reasoning Skills
assigned:
An essay on the subject of student cheating. Students are to evaluate the argument for validity and soundness, and then write a response to the argument addressing any questionable premises or illogical conclusions.

"Keep Your Laws Off My Body"
 assigned:
This essay summarizes the basic arguments of the pro-choice position in the abortion debate. Break the arguments down in to premises and conclusions, then determine the soundness and validity of each argument.
 


reading questions
 Intended to accompany the New American Bible translation of each book, including the introductions to each book found in that translation. 

The Letters of Paul:


worksheets
Use the notes on this site or your Bible to fill in the blanks on these worksheets. When you finish, the sheet makes a handy study guide for tests.

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The Narrow Gate
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