Weekend work sep 25th

Church history:
Background reading: Margaret Miles, Word Made Flesh, c. 2, pp. 65-93

Sept. 28: Athanasius, The Life of Anthony, entire (pp. 29-79)

Sept. 30: * Lactantius, "The Manner in which the Persecutors Died;" *Athanasius, “On
the Incarnation of the Word,”

Pastoral Formation
Three simple rules

Hebrew Bible

Chalice, Narative, TNK

Moodel for Monday sep 27th

1. Consider that the whole of Genesis (in the form that we now have it)
was most likely compiled in the post-exilic period. How might the
“trauma” of the Babylonian exile be influencing the ways the Genesis
narratives are told? What themes, events, or characters might be
alluding to the experience of exile or problems relating to the
subsequent “identity crisis” that exile produced?
2. Do you notice any doublets (i.e. events that seem to happen more
than once) in this material? Identify any that you find. How do you
think they came to be here? What is the overall effect of their
presence and placement?

*To be posted on Moodle:

Write an essay responding to either 1 or both of the questions above.
(350 words maximum; 10 points)

Wednesday, September 29: Genesis, continued (Abraham Cycle)

Read: Jon D. Levenson, The Death and Resurrection of the Beloved Son,
111-142 (Moodle)
Collins, A Short Introduction, 44-51.

Discussion:
1. What sorts of questions would historical-critical reading ask of Gen 22?
What about a feminist reading? A final form Reader-Response?
2. Consider the following portrayals of God: a) divine “tester” that
demands humans sacrifice; b) God that is not omniscient; c) God that
provides
 3. Analyze the characters of Abraham, Isaac, and the angel. Why is Sarah
absent?

Exegetical skills

Quiz in class on Hebrew

Class Discussion
• Quiz – Hebrew Alphabet
• Review (Genesis 16 differences, alphabet, and/or BibleWorks functions)
• Introduction to basic concepts of biblical Hebrew. This will mostly entail
refreshing key English grammatical concepts (for example, verb
tenses/conjugations, parts of speech, definite article, suffix, person, and number).
You’ll be introduced to Hebrew vowels and use of “stems,” using BibleWorks or
Biblos.com to access this information.
Assignment for Week Six
• Read Genesis 21:1-21 in the NRS and the TNK. Complete the exercises listed on
worksheet “115_Week 02_Comparison.”
• Write down and come to class prepared to discuss:
1. The noteworthy differences you discovered between NRS and TNK
2. How word choice in translation alters the meaning or effect of the text
3. How differences in translation might alter the way you understand the
characters (their attitudes and motives) or the events that are taking place

RSP

Thu., Sept. 30th: SEXISM & OUR CHURCHES.

Previous readings: 18 essays;read & refer to at least 13:
• Readings for Diversity ..., ALL of Section 5 (pages 315-369)..
Film in class: possibly Sut Jhally & Jean Kilbourne: Killing us softly 3 (34 min.)
(Mid-term exam to be distributed today & submitted by Moodle by 4 pm on
Thu. 10/21)