Here are (from syllabus) the instructions on the Philemon paper. Read carefully, then read below for extra help. Remember, no research is required, but it would help:
Biblical
Perspectives Signature Assignment (final paper)
Due: 3 days after last night of BIB 451. Submit to
instructor electronically through Turnitin.com
TASK
The signature
assignment (final paper) for Biblical Perspectives is a 5-7 page paper that
addresses the meaning of a biblical text. Using the skills gained in the
course, develop a paper that combines an understanding of the historical,
literary and contemporary worlds of the text.
The text for this
assignment is the Old Testament book of Esther. Your paper should address the meaning
of the book of Esther related to a biblical understanding of leadership
developed throughout your course reading, Bible passage reading and class
discussions.
PURPOSE
The paper is meant
to demonstrate the student’s own analysis and ability to work with a biblical
text and as such need not utilize other resources as in a traditional research
paper.
FORM
Thesis: The paper should include a clear
thesis statement in the form of “the book of Esther is about…”
Body: The body of the paper should
demonstrate a recognizable structure that articulates why the thesis is viable.
The body of the paper may take the form of a section by section analysis, follow the categories
of historical/literary/contemporary worlds, or use any thematic analysis that is most useful.
Conclusion: The conclusion should restate the thesis and
the support in summary fashion. The conclusion is also a place for reflection
on the implications of
Esther for leadership, occupation or personal life.
Symbol/Sign: Throughout this course we have been
using one guiding symbol for each night, corresponding to the theme of the
evening. Based on your study of the book
of Esther, develop your own symbol that you feel adequately conveys the message
of the book and explain it in a paragraph.
GRADING
Grading is based
upon how well the thesis is stated and supported, by the clarity of the
structure, by the depth of thought and by the quality of mechanics (spelling,
grammar).
All papers must be
submitted to turnitin.com --------------------------
Don't forget your symbol...many do.
Here is some help on how to draw a diagram in WORD.
Here's a video on how to do it in Microsoft PAINT.
.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------More ESTHER help below..
Esther
Author and Date
Although we do not know who wrote the book of Esther, from internal
evidence it is possible to make some inferences about the author and
the date of composition. It is clear that the author was a Jew, both
from his emphasis on the origin of a Jewish festival and from the
Jewish nationalism that permeates the story. The author’s knowledge of
Persian customs, the setting of the story in the city of Susa and the
absence of any reference to conditions or circumstances in the land
of Judah suggest that he was a resident of a Persian city. The
earliest date for the book would be shortly after the events narrated,
i.e., c. 460 b.c. (before Ezra’s return to Jerusalem; see note on
8:12). Internal evidence also suggests that the festival of Purim had
been observed for some time prior to the actual writing of the book
(9:19) and that Xerxes had already died (see 10:2 and note). Several
scholars have dated the book later than 330 b.c.; the absence of Greek
words and the style of the author’s Hebrew dialect, however, suggest
that the book must have been written before the Persian empire fell to
Greece in 331.
Purpose, Themes and Literary Features
The author’s central purpose was to record the institution of the
annual festival of Purim and to keep alive for later generations the
memory of the great deliverance of the Jewish people during the reign
of Xerxes. The book accounts for both the initiation of that
observance and the obligation for its perpetual commemoration (see
3:7; 9:26–32; see also chart, pp. 234–235).
Throughout much of the story the author calls to mind the ongoing
conflict between Israel and the Amalekites (see notes on 2:5; 3:1–6;
9:5–10), a conflict that began during the exodus (Ex 17:8–16; Dt
25:17–19) and continued through Israel’s history (1Sa 15; 1Ch 4:43;
and, of course, Esther). As the first to attack Israel after their
deliverance from Egypt, the Amalekites were viewed—and the author of
Esther views them—as the epitome of all the powers of the world
arrayed against God’s people (see Nu 24:20; 1Sa 15:2–3; 28:18). Now that
Israel has been released from captivity, Haman’s edict is the final
major effort in the OT period to destroy them.
Closely associated with the conflict with the Amalekites is the rest
that is promised to the people of God (see Dt 25:19). With Haman’s
defeat the Jews enjoy rest from their enemies (9:16,22).
The author also draws upon the remnant motif that recurs throughout
the Bible (natural disasters, disease, warfare or other calamities
threaten God’s people; those who survive constitute a remnant). Events
in the Persian city of Susa threatened the continuity of God’s
purposes in redemptive history. The future existence of God’s chosen
people, and ultimately the appearance of the Redeemer-Messiah, were
jeopardized by Haman’s edict to destroy the Jews. The author of Esther
patterned much of his material on the events of the Joseph story (see
notes on 2:3–4,9,21–23; 3:4; 4:14; 6:1,8,14; 8:6), in which the
remnant motif is also central to the narrative (see Ge 45:7 and note).
Feasting is another prominent theme in Esther, as shown in the
outline below. Banquets provide the setting for important plot
developments. There are ten banquets: (1) 1:3–4, (2) 1:5–8, (3) 1:9,
(4) 2:18, (5) 3:15, (6) 5:5–6, (7) 7:1–10, (8) 8:17, (9) 9:17, (10)
9:18. The three pairs of banquets that mark the beginning, middle and
end of the story are particularly prominent: the two banquets given by
Xerxes, the two prepared by Esther and the double celebration of
Purim.
Recording duplications appears to be one of the favorite
compositional techniques of the writer. In addition to the three
groups of banquets that come in pairs there are two lists of the
king’s servants (1:10,14), two reports that Esther concealed her
identity (2:10,20), two gatherings of women (2:8,19), two fasts
(4:3,16), two consultations of Haman with his wife and friends (5:14;
6:13), two unscheduled appearances of Esther before the king (5:2;
8:3), two investitures for Mordecai (6:10–11; 8:15), two coverings of
Haman’s face (6:12; 7:8), two royal edicts (3:12–15; 8:1–14), two
references to the subsiding of the king’s anger (2:1; 7:10), two
references to the irrevocability of the Persian laws (1:19; 8:8), two
days for the Jews to take vengeance (9:5–12,13–15) and two letters
instituting the commemoration of Purim (9:20–28,29–32).
An outstanding feature of this book—one that has given rise to
considerable discussion—is the complete absence of any explicit
reference to God, worship, prayer, or sacrifice. This “secularity” has
produced many detractors who have judged the book to be of little
religious value. However, it appears that the author has deliberately
refrained from mentioning God or any religious activity as a literary
device to heighten the fact that it is God who controls and directs
all the seemingly insignificant coincidences (see, e.g., note on 6:1)
that make up the plot and issue in deliverance for the Jews. God’s
sovereign rule is assumed at every point (see note on 4:12–16), an
assumption made all the more effective by the total absence of
reference to him. It becomes clear to the careful reader that Israel’s
Great King exercises his providential and sovereign control over all
the vicissitudes of his beleagured covenant people.
Outline
- The Feasts of Xerxes (1:1—2:18)
- Vashti Deposed (ch. 1)
- Esther Made Queen (2:1–18)
- The Feasts of Esther (2:19—7:10)
- Mordecai Uncovers a Plot (2:19–23)
- Haman’s Plot (ch. 3)
- Mordecai Persuades Esther to Help (ch. 4)
- Esther’s Request to the King: Her First Banquet (5:1–8)
- A Sleepless Night (5:9—6:14)
- Haman Hanged: Esther’s Second Banquet (ch. 7)
- The Feasts of Purim (chs. 8–10)
- The King’s Edict in Behalf of the Jews (ch. 8)
- The Institution of Purim (ch. 9)
- The Promotion of Mordecai (ch. 10)
Resources:
- Esther - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Book of Esther - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedi
- Esther - Women of the Bible : The Living Word Library
- Feasting and Fasting in Megillat Esther
BibleGateway.com - Commentary» Esther
EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary (2800 word vocabulary) on the Book of Esther
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