Bible scholars: looking for a paper topic

[Frosty3799]

Ok, I am indifferent as far as religion goes, and I don't mean to start any type of discussion here, but I was wondering if some people that are familiar with the Bible would be willing to assist me in choosing a paper topic.

The requirements are that it has to be 600-1000 words (2-3 pages), and that it has something to do with the first four books of the new testament.

An example of a topic that the teacher gave was comparing two accounts of the crucifiction, as in comparing the slightly different acocunts that could be found in two of the books; I would jusut use this, but I can't even seem to find where these accounts are...

Any topic would be good, preferably a very simple topic that I can drone on about for 2-3 pages without much difficulty.

Please don't let this turn into any type of flame war.

Thanks ahead of time

Frosty

 

[RCN]

http://www.mindspring.com/~scarlson/synopt/faq.htm

 

[Trevelyan]

600-1,000 words isn't very much.

Something I've always found extremely interesting is where we got the New Testament from inthe first place. Perhaps you can write about the number of manuscripts we have of the New Testament books, how the Bible is translated, etc.

If that's not specific enough to the four Gospels, perhaps you can write about the differences in the accounts of Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and whether they pose contradictions. Some examples would be:

1) Judas' death
2) Jesus' crucifixion (what was written above the cross, etc.)
3) Resurrection (who saw him first, when, etc.)

There are many other examples, and often times people like to use them as contradictions. I think a good topic would be to really analyze these discrepancies, and determine whether the claim that they are contradictions is accurate.

 

[Trevelyan]

Originally posted by: RCN
http://www.mindspring.com/~scarlson/synopt/faq.htm

Another good question. Here's another response to this problem: http://www.gotquestions.org/synoptic-problem.html

 

[everman]

I'm sure your prof doesn't want a retelling of the whole thing, try to make it interesting. I'm sure he's seen all of the prove/disprove arguments as well, so I'd try something different.
How about something relating prophecy in the old testement to what happened in the new testement? There are many about Jesus, there should be many resources you can use.

 

[Frosty3799]

Originally posted by: Trevelyan
600-1,000 words isn't very much.

Something I've always found extremely interesting is where we got the New Testament from inthe first place. Perhaps you can write about the number of manuscripts we have of the New Testament books, how the Bible is translated, etc.

If that's not specific enough to the four Gospels, perhaps you can write about the differences in the accounts of Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and whether they pose contradictions. Some examples would be:

1) Judas' death
2) Jesus' crucifixion (what was written above the cross, etc.)
3) Resurrection (who saw him first, when, etc.)

There are many other examples, and often times people like to use them as contradictions. I think a good topic would be to really analyze these discrepancies, and determine whether the claim that they are contradictions is accurate.

Thanks for the input. I think I am going to compare/contrast the crucifiction in Matthew and Luke... hopefully I will be able to derive enough from those two to make 3 pages

 

[RCN]

Originally posted by: Trevelyan

Originally posted by: RCN
http://www.mindspring.com/~scarlson/synopt/faq.htm

Another good question. Here's another response to this problem: http://www.gotquestions.org/synoptic-problem.html

Cool.....the author doesn't seem to take into account many christian writings that we know existed that do not today or that Papias may have mentioned "Q".

More on Q if you are interested OP.

 

[Trevelyan]

Originally posted by: Frosty3799
Thanks for the input. I think I am going to compare/contrast the crucifiction in Matthew and Luke... hopefully I will be able to derive enough from those two to make 3 pages

Good idea. Should make an interesting topic. Here is a review of the different accounts of what was written above the cross (an often alleged contradiction): http://www.christiananswers.net/q-aig/aig-t001.html

 

[Frosty3799]

Originally posted by: Trevelyan

Originally posted by: Frosty3799
Thanks for the input. I think I am going to compare/contrast the crucifiction in Matthew and Luke... hopefully I will be able to derive enough from those two to make 3 pages

Good idea. Should make an interesting topic. Here is a review of the different accounts of what was written above the cross (an often alleged contradiction): http://www.christiananswers.net/q-aig/aig-t001.html

Good link, I referred to some of that info

Thanks again, paper is complete

 

[glen]

first?
I think some of Paul's letters, for example, Corrinthians, is considered the first written.

 

[Accipiter22]

Originally posted by: Frosty3799
Ok, I am indifferent as far as religion goes, and I don't mean to start any type of discussion here, but I was wondering if some people that are familiar with the Bible would be willing to assist me in choosing a paper topic.

The requirements are that it has to be 600-1000 words (2-3 pages), and that it has something to do with the first four books of the new testament.

An example of a topic that the teacher gave was comparing two accounts of the crucifiction, as in comparing the slightly different acocunts that could be found in two of the books; I would jusut use this, but I can't even seem to find where these accounts are...

Any topic would be good, preferably a very simple topic that I can drone on about for 2-3 pages without much difficulty.

Please don't let this turn into any type of flame war.

Thanks ahead of time

Frosty

the sources of them, focus on the "Q" source....wiki it,