BIBL 350

CHAPTER ASSIGNMENT 1
Name: John Shisler
Liberty University Email Address: jmshisler@liberty.edu

Assignment 1-1: Select five translations that we talked about in this chapter. Select a passage
from the Bible (it must be at least two verses long) and write out how the translations render this
passage. Next, mark or highlight the differences among the five translations. Write a paragraph
summarizing what you have observed by comparing the translations. (p.38) (10 Points)

Passage Chosen Genesis 1:1-2

Translations Used NRSV, ESV, KJV, NKJV, NIV
Difference highlighted within verse, including some punctuation differences.

NRSV In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, / the earth was a formless
void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of
the waters.
ESV In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. / The earth was without form and
void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the
face of the waters.
KJV In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. / And the earth was without form,
and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the
face of the waters.

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NKJV In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. / The earth was without form,
and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the
face of the waters.
NIV In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. / Now the earth was formless and
empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the
waters.
Genesis 1:1-2 seems very consistent on the surface, however there are some differences
worth noting. First of all 4 of the 5 translations call it the heavens and the earth, however the
KJV calls it the heaven and the earth. This is interesting to note, as it could be said that the
KJV only talks about heaven, where God is, and the earth, instead of including the entire
universe when speaking about heavens as the other 4 translations talk about. Almost all 5
translations talk in differeing ways about the earth being formless and empty. The likely reason
for this is based on word-for-word (formal) translation versus thought-for-thought (functional)
translation. All 5 also talk in differing ways about the Spirit of God upon the waters. This again
could be a difference of formal versus functional translation.

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Assignment 1-2: (p.38) (20 Points)

Answer the following questions.
1. Do you agree that the Bible is a divine-human book? Why or why not?
Yes, I do believe that the Bible is a divine-human book. While the
Bible was written by human hands, it was inspired by God and is
infallible. God would not let a human write something in the Bible
that He did not inspire. There are many authors in the Bible, yet the
consistency of the message shows the inspiration from God.

2. What is textual criticism?

Textual criticism is a technical discipline that compares the various
copies of a biblical text in an effort to determine what was most
likely the original text.

How is it possible to have a high view of the authority of Scripture and a positive view of
textual criticism at the same time?
It is possible to have both a high view of the authority of Scripture
and a positive view of textual criticism because all Christians want to
know what God said, and know that the Bible comes from God. But it
also must have some textual criticism to make sure that the proper
translation is being given and the proper message is being given to
Christians through Gods Word.

3. What is translation?
Translation is transferring a message of one language into another
language.
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Why is translation not a simple exercise?

Translation is not a simple exercise because, while something is
being translated, the meaning of the message can get lost or
changed. Because certain words dont exist in some languages or
there are multiple translations for certain words, a message can get
confused and possibly lose its meaning. This is especially dangerous
for Biblical translation.

Describe the two main approaches to translation discussed in this chapter.

The two main approaches to translation are formal and functional.
Formal translation tries to do more word-for-word translation, while
functional translation tries to do more thought-for-thought
translation.

Which approach do you feel most comfortable with? Why?

Personally, I am more comfortable with functional translation. As

discussed earlier, trying to translate word-for-word is dangerous
because not every language has corresponding words. The true
meaning of Gods Word can get lost when formal translation is
attempted.

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Assignment 2-1: Describe the five steps of the Interpretive Journey. (p.49) (10 Points)
Answer each step with as much information as possible. In other words, do not just give a one
line statement, but attempt to write a summary type paragraph for each step so that you can
demonstrate a good understanding of the interpretive journey process. You may use the words in
the textbook.
Step #1:

Step #2:

Step #3:

Step one starts with reading the text carefully and observing it.
While reading the text, try to see as much of the meaning of the
text as possible. Once this is done, try to summarize the passage
into a few sentences so that it can have even more meaning to
the audience. And finally, as the book says, Be specific.

Step two is looking at the culture of the biblical audience that the
scripture was written to and comparing it to the culture of today.
Determining how much of a gap there is between the cultures will
help to make the message meaningful to the current audience
while still holding onto the lessons and meaning of the original
scripture.

The book says that this is perhaps the most challenging step. This step
requires looking back at step one and determining the theological principle
or principles in the text. Step three requires looking for the authors
intended meaning of the scripture that is being interpreted. Then summarize
the theological principle or principles and prepare them for the current
biblical audience.

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Step #4:

Step #5:

Step four requires looking at the meaning from the current scripture being
looked at and see where it fits in with the rest of the Bible. Is the principle
of the scripture being looked at consistent with the rest of the Bible? If not,
the principles may need to be reassessed or reworded.

Step five is applying the theological principle or principles into

todays church. Can the principle or principles be applied to
todays Christians? If it can, how do we apply it?

Assignment 2-2: What are the guidelines for developing theological principles? (p.49) (5
Points)
You may use an outline form in answering this question.
1.
2.
3.
4.

The principle should be reflected in the text.

The principle should be timeless and not tied to a specific situation.
The principle should not be culturally bound.
The principle should correspond to the teaching of the rest of
Scripture.
5. The principle should be relevant to both the biblical and the
contemporary audience.

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Assignment 2-3: What are the differences that determine the width of the river to cross? (p.49)
(5 Points)
Write a summary type paragraph in answering this question.
There are several differences that determine the width of the river to
cross. They include differences in culture, language, situation, time, and
often covenant. The specific passage also helps determine the width of the
river, as some passages will make the crossing wider while some will make
it not as wide. Finally, we must also look at possible theological differences
that may have occurred since the passage was written due to the teaching,
life, and work of Jesus. An Old Testament passage will likely have a wider
river to cross than a New Testament passage.

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Assignment 3-5: Matthew 28:18-20 (p.68) (15 Points)

Read Matthew 28:1820, and make as many observations as you can on this passage. Dig deep!
Think hard. Spend time on this. Mark dozens and dozens of observations. Read and reread! Look
again! Observe! Observe! Observe!
Note: The passage may not include incidents of every type of observation item.
Make sure you are clear in identifying the features. For instance, where it requires you to list the
contrasts, make sure you identifying which words or phrases are contrasted. Just writing down a
sentence from the passage will not help me understand what you thought the author contrasted.
So you may use words like this: X is contrasted with Y, X and Y standing for words or phrases.
The same format must be used in listing comparisons, cause/effect, or any other features where
two parts are required.
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been
given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of
the age.
Repetition of Words: (pp.54-55)
Them, you, I

Contrasts (different things): (p.55)

Heaven versus earth. Teaching people of all nations versus Disciples being commanded
by Jesus.
Comparisons (similar things): (p.56)
Heaven and earth. Disciples of all nations and Christs Disciples.

Lists: (pp.56-57)
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Heaven and earth

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Cause and Effect: (p.57)

Go make disciples Baptize them.
Figures of Speech: (pp.58-59)
Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Disciples of all nations.

Significant Conjunctions: (pp.59-60)

And. Therefore.

Significant Verbs: (pp.60-61)

Teaching. Commanded. Baptizing.

Significant Pronouns: (p.61)

Them, me, you, I

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Assignment 4-4: Psalm 1:1-3 (p.87) (20 Points)

Read Psalm 1:1-3. Make as many observations as you can. Dig deep! Think hard. Spend time on
this. Mark dozens and dozens of observations. Read and reread! Look again! Observe! Observe!
Observe!
Note: The passage may not include incidents of every type of observation item.
Make sure you are clear in identifying the features. For instance, where it requires you to list the
contrasts, make sure you identifying which words or phrases are contrasted. Just writing down a
sentence from the passage will not help me understand what you thought the author contrasted.
So you may use words like this: X is contrasted with Y, X and Y standing for words or phrases.
The same format must be used in listing comparisons, cause/effect, or any other features where
two parts are required.
1

Blessed is the one

who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither
whatever they do prospers.
Repetition of Words: (pp.54-55)
Or. And. Law. Whose. Is.

Contrasts (different things): (p.55)

Withering tree versus prospering fruit tree. Sinner versus Blessed one. Withering versus
prospering.
Comparisons (similar things): (p.56)
Sinners and mockers.

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Lists: (pp.56-57)
Walk, stand, and sit. Plant, wither, and prosper.

Cause and Effect: (p.57)

Being blessed by the Lord to prosper. Being a sinner to withering.

Figures of Speech: (pp.58-59)

Tree planted by streams of water. Day and night. Leaf does not wither. Yields its fruit.

Significant Conjunctions: (pp.59-60)

But, or, and.

Significant Verbs: (pp.60-61)

Walk, stand, wither, prospers, meditates, sit, stand, planted, yields

Significant Pronouns: (p.61)

It, they

Questions and Answers: (pp.73-74)

N/A

Dialogue: (p.74)
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N/A

Means: (p.75)
Meditating on the Lords laws. Not following in the path of sinners and those who mock
the Lords laws.
Purpose/Result Statements: (pp.74-75)
Meditating on the law of the Lord and not walking with the wicked leads to prospering.
Being a sinner and mocker of the law leads to withering.
General to Specific and Specific to General: (pp.71-72)
General Tree planted by water. Specific Fruit on the tree.
General Sinner. Specific. Those who mock the Lords laws.
Conditional Clauses: (pp.75-76)
Condition Not walking with sinners. Result Being blessed and prosperous.

Actions/Roles of God: (p.76)

Lord and law maker.

Actions/Roles of People: (p.76)

Delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on his law day and night

Emotional Terms: (pp.76-77)

Prosper, wither. Planted.
Tone of the Passage: (pp.77-78)

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Uplifting.

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Assignment 5-2: Mark 5:21-43 (p.109) (15 Points)

Read Mark 5:21-43. It is two storiesthe first about Jairus and his daughter, the second about a
bleeding woman. Note that the second story interrupts the first; that is, the bleeding woman story
is presented right in the middle of the Jairus episode. This is suggestive to us. Look at the two
stories and list as many direct comparisons and contrasts between the two as you can find. Read
carefully! Look hard! There are many to find.
I have given you 30 rows. Do your best to find at least 25 items (for you to get all the points for
this assignment, you will need to find at least 25 items); however, if you find more than 30 items,
you can add more lines to the table below by just hitting the tab key in the final column on the
last row.
21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a
large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 Then one of
the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his
feet 23 and pleaded earnestly with him, My little daughter is dying. Please
come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live. 24 So
Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And
a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26
She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent
all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard
about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28
because she thought, If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed. 29
Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed
from her suffering.
30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned
around in the crowd and asked, Who touched my clothes? 31 You see the
people crowding against you, his disciples answered, and yet you can ask,
Who touched me? 32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done
it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at
his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her,
Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your
suffering. 35 While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house
of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. Your daughter is dead, they said. Why
bother the teacher any more? 36 Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the
synagogue ruler, Dont be afraid; just believe. 37 He did not let anyone
follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they
came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with
people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, Why all
this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep. 40 But they
laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the childs father and
mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child
was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, Talitha koum! (which

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means, Little girl, I say to you, get up!). 42 Immediately the girl stood up
and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely
astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and
told them to give her something to eat.

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Jairus
a man
goes to Jesus for help publicly
Fell at Jesuss feet
pleaded earnestly with Him
His daughter was healed
He knew about what Jesus could do
The crowd separated
His daughter was sick
He looked for Jesus through the crowd
Jesus spoke to his daughter
His daughter was sick
Jesus touched his child
Came to Jesus with faith
He needed help for his daughter
Daughter was in pain
He approached Jesus
Approached Christ in the crowd
Contact was made between Jesus and his
daughter
Jesus was his only hope.
Jesus stopped for him
Christ gave a command to his daughter
Her illness was terminal
The plea was done publicly
Healed by divine powers
Healing was done through the act of
contact with Christ
Large crowd was gathered.

Bleeding Woman
a woman
goes to Jesus for help privately
Fell at Jesuss feet
told Him the whole truth
She was healed
She knew about what Jesus could do
The crowd separated
She was sick
She looked for Jesus through the crowd
Jesus spoke to her
She was sick
She touched Jesus
Came to Jesus with faith
She needed help for herself
She was in pain
She approached Jesus
Approached Christ in the crowd
Contact was made with Jesus
Jesus was her only hope.
Christ stopped for her
Christ gave a command to her
Her illness was terminal
Her plea action was done publicly
Healed by divine powers
Healing was done through the act of contact
with Christ
Large crowd was gathered.

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