Preview

Rubric for Oswalt

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
3126 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Rubric for Oswalt
Rubric for Written Assignment 2:
The Bible among the Myths:

Religion 101

By: Khristine

OBST 510

Professor X

November 9 2013

Table of Contents:

Introduction
Chapter1. The Bible in Its World
Chapter2. The Bible and Myths: A problem of Definition
Chapter3. Continuity: The basis of Mythical Thinking
Chapter4. Transcendence: Basis of Biblical Thinking
Chapter5. The Bible versus Myth
Chapter6. The Bible and History: A Problem of Definition
Chapter7. Is the Bible Truly Historical?
Chapter8. Does It Matter Whether the Bible is Historical?
Chapter9. Origins of the Biblical Worldview: Alternatives
Conclusion

Introduction:

Oswalt starts with a concise and well-written introduction that is compelling reading. He shares some very revealing personal information dating back to the 1960s, when he attended Asbury Theological Seminary. Oswalt quickly points out that one of the main points the book will focus on is determining if “the religion of the Old Testament [is] essentially similar to, or essentially different from, the religions of its neighbors.”
In the introduction, he provides a brief overview of scholarly thought regarding the Old Testament literature and Ancient near East literature and how perspectives have changed over the last 50 years. Oswalt states at the time he was introduced to the subject, scholars believed the Old Testament and its theology stood alone from other Ancient Near East religions. He now contends that present day scholars believe the Old Testament is just one of many Ancient Near East religions. Oswalt concludes his introduction with a substantial claim. He emphasizes that theological claims are inseparable from historical claims. Oswalt states that trustworthiness must be contingent upon both the theological and historical claims. If the historical claims are patently

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Superficially, one can draw a rough parallel between the rise of Islam and the rise of Christianity. The first encounter between Islam and the Jews represents a case of religions in conflict.” Again, the author compares the rise of Christianity and the rise of Islam to explain how relations between the two were so different. It is phrased in a form of a question as a quick way to summarize the earlier text, and answer a question the book is…

    • 655 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    John W. Oswalt Summary

    • 209 Words
    • 1 Page

    the author and Old Testament scholar John W. Oswalt begins with an introduction in which he presents the argument for the book. In this book, it is divided into two main sections: The Bible and Myth and The Bible and History. However, Oswalt puts emphases on myth and history. Oswalt addresses the Bible and myth, the Bible and history, the Old Testament, and the Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) myth all in ten chapters. However, revelation, myth, and history are the main topics of this book. Oswalt further discusses the differences between Scripture and myth; as well as the issues involved in the Bible’s relationship to history and historiography. Oswalt argues that while there are undoubtedly many surface comparisons among the Old Testament and…

    • 209 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    In his introduction, Oswalt discusses how roughly sixty years ago it was widely agreed upon in academic circles that the Israelite religion stood apart from their neighbor’s Semitic religion. However, the tide has now turned, for the world of academia largely affirms the Israelite faith is just another religion in the sea of Ancient Near Eastern mythology and religion. Oswalt questions why this drastic change has come. He believes the data from the past is no different then the data used today. Therefore, the problem is how one interprets the data. He discusses the use of “accidentals” and “essentials” while studying the similarities and differences between the Old Testament and mythology.…

    • 3217 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In this chapter, Oswalt sets out to determine whether the Bible is historical. Oswalt agrees that the Bible is historical and tells us that historicity is important to Hebrew thought. Oswalt then takes on three questions 1.) Did they occur? 2.) Are they accurately reported? 3.) Are they correctly interpreted? Oswalt, in the chapter, discuss the two kinds of history: Historie and Geschichte, and he tells us that Historie defines what have really happened while Geschichte tells what was going on. Oswalt states Historie is the domain of the historian; and Geschichte, on the other hand is the domain of the theologian. In the same chapter, Oswalt examines the Bultmannian approach, as well as Process approaches to history. The Bultmannian was named…

    • 164 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Religion 111 Syllabus

    • 4037 Words
    • 17 Pages

    This course is an examination of the writings of the Old Testament, using an historical and interpretive approach to these writings. GER REL and Humanities…

    • 4037 Words
    • 17 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Best Essays

    Karen Armstrong Critique

    • 1941 Words
    • 8 Pages

    The simplification of such complex concepts makes it easier for readers who have little to no prior religious understanding to comprehend the basic themes of this novel. For this reason, Armstrong's work has been highly popular among individuals who are seeking a deeper understanding of their faith, or other widespread religions. This aside, it is not a reliable academic text. An overwhelming amount of statements and claims made in this book are coloured by opinion, and are in fact, not of any legitimate substance. Any one reading this novel must interpret it with a grain of salt, and it should not be used to contribute to any scholarly studies. Armstrong plucks what she deems to be important from religious texts, and implements it into her writing, yet she misses crucial facts while doing so. For example, there are inadequate references to the Israelites Exodus from Egypt, considering the grave importance placed on this story in Judaism. This leads one to enquire what other facts may have been left out, or over emphasized. Academic texts are meant to be impartial, yet A History of God is at times warped to prove an opinion of…

    • 1941 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Better Essays

    The author of our textbook-John N. Oswalt has spent a significant amount of time researching and studying the Ancient Near East. Oswalt’s work began in the 1960’s while taking a course called “The Literature of the Ancient Near East”. After his time at Asbury Theological Seminary, Oswalt continued his studies in the Mediterranean Studies Department of Brandeis University. While there, he expanded his knowledge and understanding of the Ancient Near East and later, further developed said knowledge by means of a professor. John Oswalt teaches at Asbury Theological Seminary, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and Wesley Biblical Seminary. In our course textbook, The Bible Among the Myths, the author presents his main theme-the Bible is unique…

    • 3955 Words
    • 16 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    The first 39 books of the larger work called the Bible, is called the Old Testament. The Bible itself is arguably the best selling and most read book of all time, yet it’s well known to be quite challenging to read through and understand. The Old Testament portion of the Bible, notably the most difficult portion of the Bible for most to study and follow, yields 39 books from multiple authors, and spans over 4000 years of crucial world and church history. If that were not enough to take on, the Old Testament comes our way through multiple styles of authorship and formats, including but not limited to, books of history, law, proverbs, ethics, philosophy, treatises, dramas, songs, epics, biographies, and letters. There have been many books written and published to survey, explain, and/or bring to light the Old Testament, but none more helpful to me than the review subject of this paper, the work of Dr. Elmer L. Towns, entitled “A Journey Through the Old Testament”.…

    • 2696 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Cled

    • 1997 Words
    • 8 Pages

    LaSor, William Sanford, David Allan Hubbard, and Frederic William Bush. Old Testament Survey: the Message, Form, and Background of the Old Testament. 2 Sub ed. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1996.…

    • 1997 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    One way to synthesize the many components of each religion within a family of religions is to consider them all comparatively. This allows you to see the evolution of each religion and formalize how they are simlilar and how the differences distinguish each religion and its particular belief system. This Application gives you the opportunity to compare the religions of Abraham, which will also help you write the Final Project due in Week 5.…

    • 265 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    I traveled with a small group for fourteen days to see the significant archaeological sites of the Holy Land. It was at one place in particular, the Sea of Galilee, that I experienced a sudden internal peace. I recalled the words spoken by Jesus to Peter, as Peter began to sink into the sea, “You do not have much faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” It was then that I finally understood that my desire to know more about the Bible’s origins did not mean that I had lost my faith in its contents. Actually, quite the opposite had occurred. It was the questioning that brought a greater understanding of the foundation of my…

    • 764 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The word canon has evolved over time to come to mean the official inventory of books, like that of Athanasius, that a religious community regards as its authoritative source of doctrinal and ethical beliefs. The word comes from the Greek kanwn and most likely from the Hebrew qaneh and Akkadian, qanu. Literally, it means a straight rod or bar; a measuring rule as a ruler used by masons and carpenters; then a rule or standard for testing straightness (Harris 24). In the past, canon referred the doctrines of the church that were accepted as rule of faith.…

    • 503 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Francis E. Peters. The Works of the Spirit: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Volume 3. New…

    • 1280 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Before discussing the issue of religious influence between Zoroastrianism, Judaism and Christianity, a good starting point would be to explain what these influences might be. If these influences did occur, which we cannot be sure of, what arguments do we have to address the issue, i.e. what evidence either linguistic or written do we have in helping us determine a point of view? (Barr, 1985) Many scholars believe that because these Abrahamic religions arose in Arabia they must have influenced each other; on the other hand other scholars disagree. Questions like did Zoroastrianism influence Judaism and thus Christianity, or was it solely Judaism that affected Christianity have been asked. These questions have recently begun to be discussed more deeply and in this essay we will address these issues. The only way to way to understand formal religious influences from a historical perspective is to study religious practices of the times. And, attempt to prove that different religions have had an influence on religious practices of the time such as the Judaic faith that absorbed elements of Zoroastrianism in the Parthian period (Boyce, 1977)…

    • 2460 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Islam Studies Jahiliyyah

    • 1554 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Mvumbi. 2010. Introduction to Islamic theology: A study of some major theological issues . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.cuea.edu/mvumbi/images/stories/PDF/ClassNotes/INTRODUCTION%20TO%20ISLAMIC%20THEOLOGY.pdf. [Accessed 14 May 13].…

    • 1554 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays