bib438rocks: week 1

as the sign of highest personal respect, call me by my first name

Kraybill, The Upside Down Kingdom:

"In one stroke, Jesus erases titles (Matt. 23:8-10).

Tagging each other with titles has no place in the upside-down

kingdom where everyone stands on equal ground" (226).

"Titles are foreign to the body of Christ. Terms

like Doctor and Reverend perpetuate status differences

unbefitting the spirit of Christ." Titles pay tribute to position,

degree and status rather than to personhood. Members of flat kingdoms

call each other, as the sign of highest personal

respect, by our first names" (239, emphasis mine)

"We call each other by our first name, for we have one

Master and one Lord,

Jesus Christ" (256).

TOPICS COVERED WEEK 1

Introductions
Name
Tell me about yourself
Musical group or singer
,
Final exam prep: Philemon
Texts and Three Worlds

Venn it: Genesis 1 and 2
Which 10 Commandments
Joke in Syllabus

Can you quote his exact opening line?

As you'll remember, when I took a version of this class at FPC (it wasn't a U yet), I had cool typewriter

I look forward this class..I think you'll' enjoy it, too..
...I did when I took it in 1983>>

---
STRATEGY:
BIB 314 asks, "Who is Jesus?"

and "What is Church?"

This class asks

"1)How do I read a text of Scripture via a Three Worlds approach?"
2)"What does Scripture have to say about community?
3)What does Scripture have to say about my major?

--------------------------------

The Three Worlds approach to reading the Bible

: here is an introduction.

This below is how one student summarized the worlds (she has more detail here)

Literary World--The literary world of the Bible is simply the text itself, apart from anything outside the text. We mean the world (or, better, worlds) created by the text; the words on the page, by the stories, songs, letters and the myriad other types of literature that make up the Bible. All good literature (and the Bible is, among other things, good literature) creates in readers' minds magnificent, mysterious, and often moving worlds that take on a reality of their own, whether or not they represent anything real outside the pages (Hauer and Young ch 2).

Historical World--The historical world of the Bible isthe world "behind the text" or "outside the text". It is the context in which the Bible came to be written, translated, and interpreted over time, until the present. In studying the historical world of the Bible, we look for evidence outside the text that helps us answer questions such as, who wrote this text, when was it written, to whom was it written, and why was it written. We also probe the text itself for evidence that links it to historical times, places, situations, and persons (Hauer and Young 2)..

Contemporary World--The contemporary world is the "world in front of the text" or the "world of the reader." In one sense, there are as many contemporary worlds of the Bible as there are readers, for each of us brings our own particular concerns and questions to the text. They inevitably shape our reading experience. We are all interested in answering the questions of whether the Bible in general, or particular texts, have any relevance to our personal lives

---
"Final Exam" prep/Philemon: First read.
What do you remember from our discussion?

-FOR YOUR PAPER, Be sure to include: Evidence from the text re: whether the slavery (of Onesimus) and brotherhood of Philemon and Onesimus are literal, metaphorical, or both. Evidence from the text re: whether Onesimus ran away.

-CHALLENGE: MEMORIZE PHILEMON in our class translation by Week 6.

Your notes:

NT Wright video we watched:

also see his comments about the letter here, and his study questions on pages 55-57 here).

Notes on video

Biblical Perspectives Signature Assignment (final paper)

Due: 3 days following this module

TASK

The signature assignment (final paper) for Biblical Perspectives is designated as a significant 5-7 page paper that is designed addresses the meaning of a biblical text. Using the skills gained in the course, develop a paper that combines an understanding of the historical, literary and contemporary worlds of the text. (Don’t resign the class until you are done. Resignation often comes too soon).

PURPOSE

The paper is meant to demonstrate the student’s own analysis and ability to work with a biblical text and as such need not utilize other resources as in a traditional research paper.

This is a NOT a research paper; it is a SEARCH paper, where you search out what you think is the meaning/message of Philemon.

However, it could be hugely helpful (and improve your grade) to draw in one (or perhaps more) lessons from class to build your thesis.

FORM

Thesis: The paper should include a clear thesis statement in the form of “the book of Philemon is about…” Note: by “about,” we mean not just “about” in the sense of storyline and characters—though you definitely include that somewhere in your paper, as well. We mean what the book is ultimately “about”—life lesson, message, moral, sermon point or Contemporary World “app.” Make it general; do not include characters from the story in your statement. Be as specific and concise as possible.

Body: The body of the paper should demonstrate a recognizable structure that argues from the text of Philemon and articulates why the thesis is viable. The body of the paper may take the form of a verse by verse analysis, follow the categories of historical/literary/contemporary worlds, or use any thematic analysis that is most useful.

Conclusion: The conclusion should restate the thesis and the support in summary fashion. The conclusion is also a place for reflection on the implications for your life and work.

SIGB: Throughout this course we have been using signs. Based on your study of the book of Philemon, develop your own symbol/sign that you feel adequately conveys the message of the book and explain it in a paragraph. Papers will not be accepted without the sign and explanation. (The sign is something you draw or create, not anything you find online or elsewhere)

Be sure to also include: Evidence from the text re: whether the slavery (of Onesimus) and brotherhood of Philemon and Onesimus are literal, metaphorical, or both. Evidence from the text re: whether Onesimus ran away.

GRADING

Grading is based upon how well the thesis is stated and supported, by the clarity of the structure, by the depth of thought and by the quality of mechanics (spelling, grammar, grandpa).

If there are red marks in every paragraph (or nearly every) for grammar/spelling/mechanics, the paper will not pass. Big rules: no “you”/”your” words/language or contractions

All papers must be submitted to turnitin.com (instructions on next page).

From FPU HANDBOOK:

A=Superior. The student has demonstrated a quality of work and accomplishment far beyond the formal requirements and shown originality of thought and mastery of material.

B=Above Average.

The student’s achievement exceeds the usual accomplishment, showing a clear

indication of initiative and grasp of subject.

C=Average. The student has met the formal requirements and has demonstrated good comprehension of the subject and reasonable ability to handle ideas.

D=Below Average. The student’s accomplishment leaves much to be desired. Minimum requirements have been met but were inadequate.

-------------------Texts:

TEXTS
TEXT: the word does not mean just written words, or text message..
a TEXT is technically ":any message in any medium, designed to communicate anything"
so obviously the Bible counts as a TEXT message.
.

But so does everything.

All you ever do is send and receive and interpret texts:
Every conversation, film, book is a text.

Students: send me a random text message (see my phone number on syllabus), It can be anything; you don't even have to identify yourself. I will read some of these in class for fun...and to show that texts need context

Because several of the classes I teach have to do with how to read and interpret texts (particularly biblical texts) , contexts, and intertextuality...I actually encourage students to send me text messages in class.

They often look at me as if I am kidding, even afraid I will confiscate their phone if they do.

...Or worse! Check out this shocking video , revealing one professor's policy on texting :in class:

Here's one teacher who welcomes texting in class:

DID YOU TEXT ME YET? I'M SERIOUS>>DO IT NOW

One church's policy on cell phones (video below)

FPU professor (and Textpert) Greg Camp introduced me to thebrilliant idea of having students text me in class.

I ask them to send me a random text message (anything) or to forward

me a text message from their inbox. These become our curriculum for the next few minutes as we interpret them.

This opens great discussion..

And very often I get a text that says, "The university president just emailed, notifying that all classes get out early today."

(:

Suffice to say the whole idea of texting in class has proven to be a fruitful means of discussing the only thing we ever engage in, and the only job we have:

interpreting text messages.

Huh?

Increasingly, the definition of text is becoming:

"any message, in any medium, intended to communicate anything"

Movies are texts; conversations at St. Arbuck's are texts. etc

So the primary discipline/skill/art we should cultivate is that of sending and interpreting text messages.

All of life is a text message.

Of course, when dealing with The Text (Scripture), how much more...

Text, subtext, and context is everything.

Text me..

Thanks for texting me in class.

What do you remember about the BUTT CHEEKS (BUT CHEEKS) story?

Texts need contexts.

Video of what I said in class and more:

Thanks for texting me (cell phone) random text messages during class to illustrate that

texts need contexts.

GODISNOWHERE: is it GOD IS NOWHERE or GOD IS NOW HERE?

How you read the text changes as much as everything.

Spaces matter.

Like this:

Professor Ernest Brennecke of Columbia is credited with inventing a sentence that can be made to have eight different meanings by placing ONE WORD in all possible positions in the sentence:

"I hit him in the eye yesterday."

The word is "ONLY".

The Message:

1.ONLY I hit him in the eye yesterday. (No one else did.)

2.I ONLY hit him in the eye yesterday. (Did not slap him.)

3.I hit ONLY him in the eye yesterday. (I did not hit others.)

4.I hit him ONLY in the eye yesterday. (I did not hit outside the eye.)

5.I hit him in ONLY the eye yesterday. (Not other organs.)

6.I hit him in the ONLY eye yesterday. (He doesn't have another eye..)

7.I hit him in the eye ONLY yesterday. (Not today.)

8.I hit him in the eye yesterday ONLY. (Did not wait for today.)

-link

Like this 'text message' from Jesus:

I SAY TO YOU TODAY, "YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE.'

or is it,

I SAY TO YOU, " TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE."

The original manuscripts of the Bible not only run all letters, all caps, together, but include no punctuation.

Punctuation matters.

Everything is context.

context is everything.

VENN IT!!! VENN IT! comparing/contrasting two texts:

with the two stories of creation:

the two stories of creation: Gen 1:1 – 2:3 and Gen. 2:4-25).

what do you remember about your observations?

Camp and Roberts (FPU faculty) note:

The two accounts are separate but complementary, like the four gospels. They can be read at different levels, from literal to figurative, with no bearing on the truth of it. Poetry is not less true than a newspaper, just a different kind or mode of truth. And, one must always ask the question what the implied author intended and what the implied audience would have understood. Ancient notions of history are very different from ours.

Genesis 1:

repetitious, tabular, formal

days of creation reported in the same way, formulaic

authority and brevity

style of ordering material into a series of similar solemn commands are unchallenged

content presents major divisions of creation known to writer

catalog or tabulation of events and commands

vocabulary = create (bara), humanity as likeness/image, male/fernale

God = Elohim, characterized as powerful cosmic organizer, speaks things into being, stands outside of cosmos and controls it

Humanity = created as vice regent, created in image gives representative status

polemic against mythical concepts of life and creation

Genesis 2:

relationship of characters emphasized

language is picturesque and flowing, poetic terms, colorful

God's actions more interrelated than separated by divisions of time or set expressions (idioms)

no two acts are alike and none are preceded by divine command

vocabulary = form (yasar), humanity as living being, man/woman

God = Yahweh, characterized by immanence, personal nearness, involvement on human scene, intimate master, depicted humanly (hands, walking, digging)

Humanity = ready contact with and immediate responsibility to God. Humanity's creation linked to ground (word play on adam = man and adamah = ground) and curse is alienation from the land, is distinctive because Yahweh personally addresses him

polemic against fertility cults in Canaan

---

Compare Genesis accounts to Babylonian Creation story (read an excerpt here). Significant similarities – Genesis is not written in a vacuum. Significant differences – lack of violence, struggle, multiple gods, etc.

Enuma Elish:

a.     creation by word - Marduk has this power. They tell him to open his mouth. At the word of his mouth XXX vanishes or reappears.

b.    command over elements - Marduk enlists wind and storm to defeat Tiamat, but battles with elements too.

c.     Tiamat is split in two and body is used to retain waters and set firmament and ground.

d.    sets stars in their place, gives moon and sun jurisdiction, setting days

e.     creation of man - "blood I will make and bones I will cause to be" new idea like Genesis but he creates out of a dead god's body and for the purpose of "the relief of the gods".
In Genesis, we see a carefully structured account, bringing order out of chaos. The sea and darkness are elements of chaos in the ancient world. No work can be done in the dark; salt water kills agriculture; unknown depths and sea creatures are in the sea. God has ability to control and limit these. Chaos is not eliminated or bounded. God creates out of nothing (vs. other creation myths of the day), and the verb used for "create" (bara) is something no human ever does in the Old Testament. Only God does this action. There are also no elements of struggle or battle to create, which is typical of other contemporary creation myths. God simply speaks or shapes things into being. There are also no birthing images, which are common in other myths, and quickly lead to a confusion between Creator and creature (vs. God as wholly other), and to fertility cults. Also, most other creation myths were a people’s story (how the Mesopotamians came to be, for instance). Genesis is not presented as Israel’s story, but as the story of the world. ( to really appreciate the beauty and brilliance of these chapters, one has to read Hebrew. These verses are packed with wordplays and puns. It may not immediately occur to one that puns are a good form of theological education, but…)

-Camp and Roberts
-

MYSTERY TO SOLVE FOR NEXT CLASS:

Which list of the Ten Commandments is the "real" list??

We joked you could win $100 by saying, :Let me read you a list of the Ten Commandments, the only list the Bible explicity calls the Ten Commandments. Tell if this is the list. A hundred bucks says I'm right. Then read them the Ten Commandments from Exodus 34!!:

Exodus 20 Exodus 34: Note: this list, NOT THE
OTHER, is the one that says "THESE ARE
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS"

1. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before me.		1. Thou shalt worship no idol. (For the Lord is a jealous god). Smash all idols,
2. You shall not make for yourself a graven image. You shall not bow down to them or serve them.		2. Thou shalt make thee no molten gods.
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.		3. The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep in the month when the ear is on the corn.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.		4. All the first-born are mine.
5. Honor your father and your mother.		5. Six days shalt thou work, but on the seventh thou shalt rest.
6. You shall not kill.		6. Thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, even of the first fruits of the wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year's end.
7. You shall not commit adultery.		7. Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread.
8. You shall not steal.		8. The fat of my feast shall not remain all night until the morning.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.		9. The first of the first fruits of thy ground thou shalt bring unto the house of the Lord thy God.
10. You shall not covet.		10. Thou shalt not boil a baby goat in its mother's milk.