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Reflection Paper 2
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Reflection #2

Emergence of Christianity #rel110

Saint Leo University

Due September 16, 2014

Use references to the Bible, textbook, concordances, Bible dictionary, or any sources you use to make your argument interpreting the passage in MARK. 300-1000 words (less than 5 pages).

Pick ONE:

Healing of the leper: Mark 1:40-45; Matthew 8:1-4; Luke 5:12-16

Healing of the man with the withered hand: Mark 3:1-6; Matthew 12:9-14; Luke 6:6-11

Parable of the sower: Mark 4:1-9; Matthew 13:1-9; Luke 8:4-8

1. Introduction (Thesis Statement: What is the argument that you’re making?)

2. Summarize the text. Compare and contrast the same story in Matthew OR Luke (not both).

3. Are the differences significant? Why or why not? Use references. Could the passage be interpreted differently based on the differences? Yes or no? Why or why not?

4. What is the point of the passage? What was Mark trying to say or teach his audience in his time? Make a contextual interpretation of the text in Mark. Use references and a convincing argument based on what you know about Mark, the Synoptic Gospels, and the historical context.

5. Conclusion.

Remember our rules for interpretation.

  1. What was the intent of the author?
  2. What is the theology of the book?
  3. Interpret with [at least] a general sense of the historical, cultural, sociological, and literary setting.
  4. Good interpretation doesn’t have to pull from other interpretations or books, and it is interpreted within it’s time and context.
  5. CONTEXT! Use the WHOLE document to make an argument.
  6. If you use the text in application to modern time, you must do so “self-consciously and responsibly”.

For more info on scholarly Biblical interpretation:

http://www.wts.edu/resources/westminster_center_for_theolog/paper_formatshtml/wc_exegisis2/approaching_the_biblical_studi.html