The biblical literature

Instructions

You have been hired as a researcher for a new documentary series. Your task is to narrate the biblical story in an academically-informed (scholarly) way while making connections for the viewers. You are to:

1. Present the Bible as an unfolding story embedded in biblical literature, and
2. Provide an example of connecting the biblical story to the viewers of the documentary by personalizing it—explain how your experience and the biblical story interact.

NOTE: You don’t need to embrace the story or promote the story (and remember, you don’t have to be a Christian to study at UMHB though we are clearly a Christian university).

The documentary writing team needs you to provide the guiding material in two parts, all presented in one Word document or PDF.

Part I: The script writers want to present the Bible as a drama in six acts. Since the Bible books are not placed in chronological in the Bible, they need your expert help figuring out the historical of the events.

You must provide the following:

A summary of the biblical story in six acts with an interlude (the Intertestamental Period) and an explanation of how the concept of “covenant” enlightens the story. (200–300 words each; 1400–2100 words total):

• Act One
• Act Two
• Act Three
• Interlude: The Intertestamental Period
• Act Four
• Act Five
• Act Six

Include the following components for each of the acts (and the interlude):

1. What Bible book(s)/Apocrypha cover each part of the narrative?
2. What events in the Bible book(s)/Apocrypha (give examples) cover each part of the narrative?
3. What are key literary feature(s) pertinent to the particular act of the narrative? What are examples?

• Origin Literature (genres?)
• Literature of the Fall & Pentateuch
• Deuteronomistic History, Prophetic Literature, Wisdom Literature.
• Pre-exilic Literature; Post-exilic Literature
• Intertestamental Literature (names?)
• Gospel Literature (Synoptic theory?)
• Historical writing (Greek histories?)
• Letters (Greek letter writing, rhetoric)
• Apocalyptic Literature

Part II: The script writers next want to connect the biblical story to the viewers of the documentary by personalizing it. You must provide the following:

A guiding discussion of how each of the parts of the biblical story relate information about the (1) character of God, (2) theological/ethical concerns in society and personal lives, and (3) one’s own place in the biblical story. (600–1000 words total):

Guiding points/question to incorporate in your discussion (remember to make it useful for the script writing team):

• What does the narrative disclose about the character of God?
• What can be learned about theological/ethical matters in the narrative? Answer pertinent questions:
• How do you relate to people having value and dignity because people in the biblical narrative are created in God’s image?
• How does the idea of a fallen humanity affect your story?
  • In terms of a God who seeks people (throughout the biblical story)?
  • In terms of the call for social justice and taking care of the poor (as seen in the prophets)?
  • In terms of suffering (as seen throughout the biblical story)?
  • In terms of God appearing silent in the narrative; or are we a people waiting (like during the
  • Intertestamental Period)?
• In what way(s) do you/do you not relate to the question of why Jesus died? Explain. Have you encountered similar examples, sacrifices, or phenomena elsewhere or in your life?
  • Jesus’ death as a ransom? (Mark 10:45; 1 Timothy 2:6)
  • Jesus’’ death as victory over sin and death? (John 12:31; Romans 8:2; Colossians 2:12–15)
  • Jesus’ death as to carry the shame of humanity? (Philippians 2:5–8; Hebrews 12:2)
  • Jesus’ death as to pay a price or as sacrifice? (Romans 3:23–25; 1 John 4:10)
  • Jesus’ death as a means of our reconciliation? (Romans 5:10–11; 2 Corinthians 5:18; Ephesians 2:11–22; Colossians 1:19–20)
  • Jesus’ death as one person who gave his life for many or in the place of others? (John 15:13; 1 John 3:16)
  • Jesus’ death as an example to follow? (Romans 5:8; Ephesians 5:2; Philippians 2:3–8; 1 Peter 2:21–24)
• In what way(s) do the ideals of Jesus as seen in the Bible story affect your life?
  • What does the idea of the Kingdom of God (the family/community of God) mean to you in a practical
  • sense and how does equality of all people affect your life?
  • What role does restoration play in your life and in your surrounding communities?
  • Do you see yourself as a restorer? Why/why not?

  NEEDS REVISIONS ONLY