Title of the Essay “The Anabaptists proper were those in the radical Reformation who gathered and disciplined a ‘true church’ (rechte Kirche) upon the apostolic pattern as they understood it. In a treatment of Anabaptists, the doctrine of the church affords the clarifying principle of first importance” (Franklin H Littell). Critically discuss the Anabaptist movement in...
The Arian Controversy: Why Nicaea Wasn’t the End
Title of Essay Write an essay of approximately 1500 words on the following topic, making reference to appropriate primary sources where possible, and explaining their significance for the subsequent history of the church: The Christological debates of the fourth century (with special attention to the Councils of Nicaea and Constantinople) and the creeds they produced). Why did the debate drag on...
Analysis of the Didache
Title of Essay Write a document analysis of approximately 1500 words on The Didache Commentary: The Didache is a fascinating early text that I really enjoyed studying and writing an analysis on. Christianity in History is the subject and a really interesting area of study. I got 90% for this essay and I am very pleased with this highest result so far in my Master’s journy. Part of this, I...
The Challenge of Hearing the New Testament
Title of Essay The Challenge of Hearing the New Testament with additional focus on Rhetorical Criticism Commentary: Just didn’t get there with this one. Only 75% and really deserved to not get a Distinction. I have started a new and quite challenging job and I just have been behind the 8 ball all semester. Not connecting the way I would like. Introduction In Misreading Scripture with...
Pilate in Josephus and the Gospels
Title of Essay Compare and contrast the portrait of Pilate that emerges in the Gospels with that found in Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, 18.55-64 (18.3.1-3); and, The Jewish Wars, 2.169-177 (2.9.2-4). What implications would you draw about the reliability of the Gospels? Commentary: This was a fun brief analysis of a primary document against the gospels. In this case comparing the writings...
Philosophy and Christianity
Title of the Assignment Outline an account of how philosophy can relate positively to theology, and appropriately support theological reasoning and application. Illustrate your account with a selection of relevant examples from the history of philosophy’s interaction with theology. Commentary This is the third essay of the three 1000 word assignments from the Take Home Exam I did for Philosophy...
Hegel and Mill
Title of the Assignment If John Stuart Mill and Georg Hegel were both to answer the question “What makes a good society?”, which one in your view would give the best reply? Give reasons for your choice from a Christian perspective Commentary This was part of my Take Home Exam – have a read of my commentary in the article called Ockham and Aquinas. It was three 1000 word essays to be written...
Ockham and Aquinas
Title of the Assignment Compare and contrast the approaches offered regarding human knowledge by Aquinas and Ockham. Commentary This one was a bit of a tough one. Everyone thinks that an “open book exam” is easy, but markers will naturally approach an open book exam with a more critical eye simply because you are expected to use your access to the text to provide a better quality...
Fear and Trembling
Title of the Assignment An interaction with a philosophical document from the early modern/modern periods with significance for the relationship between Christianity and a major philosophical issue. Summarise the key ideas of the document below, and outline what contribution (or questions) it makes/raises for the relationship between Christianity and the philosophical perspective or issue...
Accordance, Logos and eSword
So I recently decided to evalute some software for use with my studies and it came down to a choice. The choice was between Accordance, Logos and eSword. So, I don’t really enjoy the choice that comes with birthdays – generally I just get what I need when I want it (after discussing it with my wife if the cost is higher than incidental spending). Given that my birthday is soon, my...