Faith and Works

SHORT WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT: UNDERSTANDING WORKS AND FAITH (145 POINTS)
This writing assignment requires you to:
1. Use the characteristics of biblical narrative from class lectures to analyze characters in the biblical metanarrative. 2. Understand different points of view. 3. Identify and evaluate relationships between key biblical concepts. 4. Integrate your readings, evidence from both sides of this argument, and the lives of two biblical characters to reach a conclusion about the relationship between faith and works. Instructions: Using class lecture notes, the biblical texts listed below, and outside sources (Commentaries, journal articles, Bible dictionaries, etc.), carefully study the following questions and report them in a formal paper, using the following guide:
Many have debated the roll of faith and works in the Christian life. This assignment requires you to do just that, but from the perspective of narrative analysis. Using the characteristics of biblical narrative we’ve discussed in class, study this issue of faith and works, plus two Bible characters and develop answers to the following questions.
Martin Luther called James an “epistle of straw” because of its emphasis on works. Read Luther’s “Preface to James” (https://matt1618.freeyellow.com/preface.html), and the biblical books of Romans (for Romans, read only 3:27 – 4:8), Galatians and James.
NOTE: The website on which this is found is not endorsed by PBA nor your professor. It is only provided as a convenient location to read Luther’s Preface to James. Note also, that there are two translations of the Preface on this page, and each translation, at the time of this edit, is in black font. Students may feel free to ignore other portions (often in blue font) of this website, as well as its author’s home page.
Then pick two main characters from the Bible (at least one from Genesis), and use examples from their lives/stories, to support your answers. ? The characters you choose must be major characters, and must be examined thoroughly. ? You may also cite other scriptures, and of course, quote Jesus. ? You cannot use Jesus as one of the two main characters, nor Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus. ? You should also avoid very minor characters that have little of their lives reported to us. E.g. Do not use Dinah, Abraham’s servant Eleazar, Laban’s sons, etc. in Genesis, the Good Samaritan, Lazarus, (brief characters in Gospels, especially those within the parables). ? Choose characters with which you can trace large parts of their story/lives, and whose behavioral/moral choices are on display for the readers of scripture. E.g. Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Joseph, Judah, Tamar, David, Saul, Samson, Peter, Paul, etc.
Note: Demonstrating your support from these character’s stories, while evidencing an understanding of how biblical stories work, will be considered a plus when graded. The reason for this is that authors like the Apostle Paul…obtained their theology from biblical stories . . . and so should you.
(Continue scrolling down for more instructions. After that, you’ll find important instructions on writing good clear papers)
Read all of this biblical material, gathering evidence and examples in order to develop answers to the following questions. Support all answers with evidence, using parenthetical documentation.
1. Understanding Luther (No more than ½ page. Reading Luther, Paul and James only serves to acquaint you with this issue) a. In Luther’s “Preface to James”, what claims did Luther make against the epistle? (When citing this source, refer to the “Preface” as: Luther, “Preface”.) b. What evidence does Luther use to support his claims? (Again, cite all evidence.) 2. Understanding Paul (No more than ¾ page) a. What does Paul teach about works and faith in Romans and Galatians? Specifically consider what Paul means when he talks about “works” and “faith”. (Cite all evidence from Romans and Galatians using parenthetical documentation.) 3. Understanding James (No more than ¾ page) a. What does James teach about works and faith in James? Specifically consider what James means when he talks about “works” and “faith”. (Cite all evidence from James using parenthetical documentation.) 4. Evaluation. Based on your study of Romans, Galatians, James, and two Bible Characters, evaluate the following: (1 ½ -2 pages) a. Did Luther correctly understand the evidence from the biblical books? Did he reach correct conclusions? (Give specific examples to support your answer.) b. In the lives of the two characters you chose, what specifically about them informs your understanding of the role of faith, or works, or both, in the life of a follower of Christ? c. Considering all of this, how do you understand the relationship between faith and works? Be careful to think through, explain well, and support your answer.
Compile your observations and critiques into a well-organized essay that addresses all questions listed above. Essays should be 900-1200 words, typed, and double-spaced. Students should use St. Martin’s Handbook as a guide for clear and correct writing, and students are strongly encouraged to use the services of the Center for Writing Excellence. All biblical references should be cited parenthetically (i.e., include the biblical citation in parentheses in your essay). Words beyond the 1200 count maximum will not be read or graded. For this and all of your writing assignments, please read and follow these guidelines: Important Tips for Writing Papers in Dr. Lowdermilk’s Classes: https://goo.gl/KXtGra
Note: This assignment requires you the student to analyze the text. Since this is an approach not commonly found in many commentaries, relying on outside sources alone will result in a very poor grade. You the student must analyze the stories and support your conclusions with evidence.
Support all answers with evidence, using parenthetical documentation for scripture citations as well as outside sources.
Additional Sources:
1. Other than the sources above, students must also at least four outside sources, including at least one Bible dictionary and at least two commentaries. No web-based sources may be used. Students must go to the library to conduct research.
a. At least one Bible Dictionary from this list. i. ABD – Anchor Bible Dictionary
ii. ERD – Eerdmans Bible Dictionary iii. IBD – Illustrated Bible Dictionary iv. IDB – Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible v. ISBE – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (PBA-Orlando Library) vi. NBD – New Bible Dictionary vii. ZPEB – Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible viii. IVP’s Dictionary Series (PBA-Orlando Library)
b. At least two commentaries from this list: i. Anchor Bible ii. Word Biblical Commentary (PBA-Orlando Library) iii. New American Commentary iv. The JPS (Jerusalem Publication Society) Commentary v. Abingdon New Testament Commentary vi. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament vii. New International Commentary on the Old Testament (PBA-Orlando Library) viii. New International Commentary on the New Testament (PBA-Orlando Library) ix. Expositor’s Bible Commentary x. 1 & 2 Samuel, by David Firth xi. Excavating John’s Gospel: A Commentary for Today by Cornelis Bennema.
c. Students must include a Bibliography/Works Cited page listing the resources they used and included in their work.
NOTE: Students may choose whichever style is common to their major, but MUST check and actually use MLA, APA, or Turabian (Chicago Manual of Style) for proper formatting for parenthetical notes. Students can use these online guides for these formats: For this and all of your writing assignments, please read and follow these guidelines: Important Tips for Writing Papers in Dr. Lowdermilk’s Classes
MLA: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
APA: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
Turabian/Chicago: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/01/
This assignment must be submitted to the appropriate basket in the eCollege Dropbox. The assignment must be in one of the acceptable file formats (WORD, etc.). Assignments in Apple’s “Pages” will not be accepted. Students are advised to convert them to WORD. Late assignments will be penalized according to the syllabus.
(Continue scrolling down for the Grading Rubric. After that, you’ll find important instructions on writing good clear papers)

The Bible say Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:17 & not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:9 & For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephesians 2:8. There have to be a balance of faith and works join together. It would be easy to have faith but in the actions are prove to really believe in that faith. If is for works would be easy and not fair. I could have faith and behave evil or either do works and be evil. I could behave some way deceiving the people and inside thinking a lot of sins and wickedness and be the same od doing it. Also having faith without working thru it is like incomplete. Most faith and works be together to be productive in the ministry of the work of the Lord. I will like to choose Moses and Joseph or Paul is not is fine. (900 words or more)

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