Description: Between 750 and 1200 words (which usually works out to be about three to five pages) in length, double-spaced essay aimed at a friend who has questions and objections to the Bible. (1) Using the Bible itself as much as possible, explain what the Bible is and how to think about it, in response to questions (see Canvas assignment description). (2) Using the Bible itself as much as possible, respond to one objection concerning the Bible, such as the Bible’s view of women (see Canvas assignment description).

Your friend (hopefully a real person—otherwise, imagine) has serious questions about the Bible, e.g., what is it, where did it come from, why read it? Your friend also has objections to the Bible—maybe several, but focus on one: something they’ve read in the Bible or heard about that troubles them, such as the Bible’s view of women, or the claim that it’s unscientific.

This assignment is your opportunity to apply what you’re learning about the Bible in Part 3 of Foundations by thinking through how to answer their questions and objection. Write out your thoughts as a 750-1000 word (double-spaced—this works out to about 3 to 5 typed pages) response to your friend in the form of an essay. Think of this as a kind of letter to your friend, but in essay form, beginning: “Dear _____, thank you for your questions about the Bible. I’d like to explain briefly what it is and briefly address your concern that it is ____. ” And then just give the substance of what you would say to explain what the Bible is and respond to their objection. No further personal references, chitchat, etc.

Two parts to the letter:

(1) Questions: Introduce what the Bible is and how to think about it. Some questions to consider and answer: What is the Bible? Why does it exist? What is it about? What does it mean to say that it’s the word of God, and why think that’s true? What does the Bible itself say about these things? What does the Bible claim about its truth? Does it claim to be the only source of truth (what about truth outside the Bible? This is the issue of general and special revelation.) Obviously, you won’t be able to answer every question, but do your best to answer the ones you think are most important, the ones your friend is most likely to ask. As much as possible, use the Bible itself in answering these questions. Cite at least four Scriptures in this part (although you usually won’t have room to quote the verses themselves—refer to them and summarize their relevance to what you’re saying). (1-2 pages) 

(2) Objection: Choose an issue such as Kimball discusses and address that one as your friend’s objection. Using Kimball’s approach as a model, explain how correctly reading the Bible helps us understand and answer common misconceptions and objections about this issue. As much as possible, use the Bible itself in answering these questions. Cite at least four Scriptures in this part (although you usually won’t have room to quote the verses themselves—refer to them and summarize their relevance to what you’re saying). (2-3 pages)

Which issue should you choose? It’s up to you, depending on which one you really want to think through. You have three choices, in relation to Kimball:

(a) Choose one of the issues Kimball develops a response to, but in a chapter that is NOT part of the course’s assigned reading (e.g., the Bible and women, the Bible and science, the Bible and other religions). This is the easiest option, since you will only need to read Kimball’s chapters on this other issue as background (although you’re welcome to consult other sources as well).

(b) Choose an objection that Kimball does develop a response to in the chapters required for class reading (e.g., the Bible and slavery).

(c) Choose an objection that Kimball does not develop a response to in this book.

If you choose (b) you need to use at least one other source, in addition to Kimball. If you choose (c) you’ll have to draw directly on sources other than Kimball. However, I still want you to follow Kimball’s approach as your model, as set forth in the assignment description.

For part (1), draw on class lectures and all readings, especially Plummer, as resources. What you want to give your friend is a kind of introduction to the doctrine of Scripture, based on the Bible. For part (2), your main resource will be Kimball, but you may want to draw from other class readings as well, as well as other sources. If you use other sources of information, cite them properly. But this is not a research paper, so you don’t need to consult more sources than are helpful. Even though you’re drawing upon Kimball, make it your own as much as possible, as you would do in a letter to a friend. Your focus, as much as possible, should be on helping them to thinking about Scripture for themselves. So draw mostly on the Bible itself.