E. Short Writing Assignments—All (Post to Canvas). Due by Start of Class on the

E. Short
Writing Assignments—All (Post to Canvas). Due by Start of Class on the Due
Date!
All Short Writing Assignments are 3-4 typed, double-spaced, pages. Due dates
vary. Use of secondary sources (e.g., commentaries, journal articles, published
book reviews) is strongly encouraged but not required. For further instruction
on writing, see Appendix Two.
Select two out of the
following four (2 x 10%= 200pts):
1. Steward(ship) in the Bible
(Tue 14 June!): Briefly study every occurrence of the words ‘steward’ and ‘stewardship’
in the Bible (ESV, all 66 books)[1]
(note that for some English translations the word “steward” might be translated
as “manager,” “director,” or “those entrusted”). Then answer the following questions. What is
a steward? With what is a steward entrusted? Are Christians/Disciples stewards?
If so, stewards of what? Is this stewardship literal or metaphorical? Explain how
you know the answers to these questions.
2. Tithe in the OT (Thu 16 June):
Briefly study every reference to the tithe in Moses and in Malachi.[2]
Then answer the following questions. What is a tithe? What is it made on (what
material)? To whom was it given? What was done with it? When was it given? Why
was it given (what was its purpose)? Was the tithe given on the gross or on the
net? (be very careful with the answer to this question) Explain how you know the
answers to these questions.
3. The NT on Taxes (Mon 20
June): Briefly study every reference to taxes in the NT.[3]
Then answer the following questions. What are taxes? To whom are they paid?
What are they used for? Are Christians required to pay taxes? Explain how you
know the answers to these questions.
[1] If you are using Greek, look up every
occurrence of οἰκονόμος and οἰκονομία. If not, use the ESV of the following: Gen
43.16, 19, 44.1, 4; 1Chr 27.31, 28.1; Isa 22.15; Dan 1.11, 16; Luke 12.41-46,
16.-8; 1Cor 4.1-2, 9.17; Eph 3.2; Col 1.25; 1Tim 1.4; Tit 1.7; 1Pet 4.10.
[2] In ESV the following: Lev 27.30-32; Num 18.21,
24, 26, 28; Deut 12.6, 11, 17, 14.22-24, 28, 26.12, 14; Mal 3.8, 10.
[3] That is κῆνσος, ου, ὁ (tax, poll tax Matt 17.25, 22.17,
19; Mark 12.14) and φόρος, ου, ὁ (tribute, tax Luke 20.22, 23.2; Rom 13.6-7).