Summative Part B

Instructions:

There are three parts to the summative assignment. For each part the student is to complete an essay of approximately 500 words that will include at least two (2) additional documented references to academic research material (e.g. a book or academic article) in addition to the course textbook that is used for the completion the assignment.

The New Testament is a theological whole and not a group of disjointed stories from various writers.  The crimson thread of redemption runs through the entire Bible, but the New Testament is where it is completed.  There are three parts to the summative assignment, however think of these three as a whole as you write.  How do they tie together theologically and contextually? This whole will be summarized in your conclusion section where you will tie together your arguments from your three sections that you are presenting in your paper.  

1. A distinguishing feature of the book of Hebrews is the author’s use of the phrase ‘better than’ in order to emphasize the superiority of Christ and the new covenant to what had come before in the old covenant. In approximately 500 words (and with proper documentation) address the following matters:
   • Discuss the ways Hebrews emphasizes the superiority of Christ.
   • Discuss what this emphasis tell us about the progressive nature of God’s revelation.
   • Discuss why the writings of the old covenant continue to be of importance to Christians even though we now live in the new covenant.
2. Much of 1 Peter concerns the threat of persecution facing believers. In approximately 500 words (and with proper documentation) address the following matters:
   • Discuss the advice Peter gives to Christians who experience persecution.
   • Discuss how the circumstances of persecution described in 1 Peter relates to the episodes of persecution described in the book of Acts.
   • Discuss what Christians can learn from the teaching of the New Testament on suffering and persecution even during those times when they are not facing persecution.
3. The book of Revelation is one of the important prophetic sections of the New Testament.  In approximately 500 words (and with proper documentation) address the following matters:
   • Discuss the purpose of this teaching that directs our attention to future events.
   • Discuss how we should best interpret the eschatological teaching of the New Testament
   • Discuss how you would advise two Christian friends – one who is obsessed with end times scenarios and intricate ways in which to ‘decipher’ biblical texts that look to the future, and another who wants nothing to do with books like Revelation since they can be so confusing.