How is this blog different from all other blogs? Well, for one thing, it invites you to join in the long tradition that began with the men of the Great Synagogue, continued through the periods of the Tannaim and the Amoraim, (teachers and interpreters), and continues today in churches and synagogues throughout the world. You have here the opportunity to contribute your questions and comments to an ongoing discussion of the most interesting, most important, most studied--and most often misunderstood--books ever written, the books of what Jews call the Tanak and Christians the Old Testament.
To get started, here's a test of the History 413 blog system. If you don't already have one, you can create for yourself a "Blogger" account by following the instructions at http://www.blogger.com/. You can also post as an anonymous blogger, but be sure to add your name to any post you make so I know who should get credit.
If you have trouble posting, you might try switching browsers. Safari in particular tends not to work well the Blogger.
To get started, here's a test post. Please answer one or more of the following questions:
- Would you rather make comments on a blog, or write a term paper?
- Which Old Testament figure do you identify with the most, and why?
- Which is your favorite book of the Old Testament, and why?
I would rather make comments on a blog than write a term paper for several reasons. First the blog is low stress because term papers are all or nothing on the grade either you got it or you didn't which can get high stress. Another reason I prefer blogs is the fact that it is smaller pieces of work. Their is not a massive term paper looming over all the work a person does throughout the semester it is small and concentrated bursts. Furthermore blog posts encourage discussion better than term papers because reading and discussing a blog post is easier than discussing a term paper. - Trent Shuey
ReplyDeleteI would rather write a term paper personally as it allows me to be work hard on the material and be done. Yes the term paper would probably be harder but i would put more effort into it and the product would be better. I also just don't really like blog posts all too much so I am really biased against them. - Broc Kilber
ReplyDeleteI think my favorite book in the Old Testament is the Book of Daniel. I love reading about the continued faith in Yahweh from Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah in the midst of Babylonian assimilation. The complete trust that they had in God to protect them mixed with their stubbornness against King Nebuchadnezzar provides a truly exciting story. The book is also filled with fantastic and terrifying imagery. Furthermore, Daniel himself even becomes an authority figure under King Darius until he's thrown in the lion's den for refusing to worship anyone other than God. The faith of all these men is incredibly inspiring to me.
ReplyDeleteIf I had to choose a favorite book of the Old Testament, I would have to choose the book of Exodus. Exodus has to be the most recognizable book of the Old Testament and it has two highly recognizable characters with Moses and Joshua. I grew up watching the Prince of Egypt movie, so the story of Moses really sticks with me. It is a great book because it shows How God works through many people and how he kept his promise to his people and brought them out of Egypt and into the promised land when even his own people doubted him at times. -Christian Zetterlund
ReplyDeleteEven though I enjoy writing papers, I feel the blog post allows for us to continuously discuss the course and readings, as well, we are able to view others point of views on the readings. I think the blog post allows for more discussion within the class and will help with understanding the readings. I think it provides as well, a good studying tool for students to look back on the blog discussions.
ReplyDeleteI would prefer to write blog posts over a paper. Yes we have to be active on writing a post before every class but I like how it helps me prepare for class. It help pushes me to read the context before class to help understand it more when it's discussed and I then can participate in the discussions as well.
ReplyDeleteI generally like writing papers, but I feel like that's the "norm" for most classes. Using blog posts switches things up a bit, and creates a less stressful environment for the most part. So I prefer blog posts for this class. As for the Old Testament... I've actually never read any of it, so I took this class to learn more about it!
ReplyDeleteI have always struggled with the starting of a paper, but once I get an idea and figure out how to effectively put it onto paper, there is no stopping me. Because of this, I would rather write a paper than comment on a blog because I was always taught that writing a paper is your chance to show off what you know and learned, which I will never turn down the opportunity to do so.
ReplyDelete- Christina Grettler
DeleteI agree with Alexa, term papers are very long and drawn out versus a blog which is a simple statement
ReplyDeletePosted by Kenneth Dennis.
DeleteThis is a tough question. What is your favorite book of the Old Testament? However, when I read the prophet Jeremiah that hit me the most. The “weeping” prophet they call him. His agony over the lost people of Judah and his prophecy of the new covenant is incredible.
ReplyDeleteAndrew Brennan
1. Tough question, it depends on the blog and the paper. I am not entirely comfortable with blogs, and I tend to go overboard with papers anyway, so I am leaning more towards a paper. Blogs I tend to either not relate to a lot, or I have to research a bunch on the subject matter. Papers work the same way, but writing a paper comes more naturally. 2. Ok Old Testament...I can't recall some of the main book figures that spoke to me really, there were some that I admired and some that I flat out despised at times to be sure. 3. Same thing with the books, I have read bits and pieces of them, we didn't focus on the Old Testament a lot in school, so what I know of is what I read myself. Not to mention the denominations have a habit of taking out and adding to both new and old testaments, so I question the...versions that I have read. - Jonnae Liebelt
ReplyDeleteGiven that I like to write either way, I wouldn't mind writing a term paper or writing comments in response to a blog post. Of course, the least time-consuming option would be the 'responding to a blog post'. But again, I don't have a real preference either way, as I greatly enjoy writing.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit something quite huge here: I haven't read the Bible in ages. I stopped going to church in high school, and even before that it was sporadic at best. My memory is also spotty, so I barely remember the contents of the Bible and the characters within it. This course will be a refresher for me! I may surprise myself and develop a favorite along the way.
I identify the most with Job (from the book of Job). Comparisons like this often seem far fetched because the struggles that Job had to overcome are far more severe than anything that has ever happened to me. Job lost everything that he loved and suffered terribly at the hands of Satan. It seemed as if nothing was ever going to get better as he was continuously hit with blow after blow. I relate to Job in this way. There have been many moments in my life where it feels like I am drowning, and each time I think I see a sliver of hope, it turns out to be yet another cinderblock being tied to my ankle. The entire story of Job has been an inspiration and encouragement to me ever since I was a child. The act of persevering through trials such as this and having faith in God even though you don't understand it is such an important lesson. When I am at the brink of insanity from all of my stresses and anxieties, I have to remind myself that there must be a reason for all of this and it will be over eventually. I just have to stick it out.
ReplyDeleteLauren Bland
1. I would much rather write a blog than a midterm paper!
ReplyDelete2. I identify with Moses on the account, of my public speaking being poor as well.
3. I think 1 Samuel is my favorite book of the Old Testament. I enjoy the story-telling. It does a great job writing you into the shoes of the ancient Israelites. It makes the characters relatable. It also gives you a great cultural understanding of how things were done. This ranges from the temple, to the battlefield, to the home. All aspects of Israelite life is covered in this book. One of the best coming of age stories.
-Walker Larson
1. I would rather write a blog. Blogs are fun and take some thought. They also don't take a whole lot of time either
ReplyDelete2. The person I would choose is Job. From someone who lost almost everything to never giving up. Job is a lesson to keep moving
3. As someone who has to read more of the Bible, I will choose Job here as well. Job is a book I have wanted to read for so long. It is a lesson to read and a lesson to learn from. Job was also one of the first few books I ever knew about.
-Brady Metzinger
Dylan Schimke
ReplyDeleteWhich is your favorite book of the Old Testament, and why?
Writing blogs is better than a term paper. It is hard to say who I identify with, I would hope it would be David because of his strength and love for God. I like Genisis the most because it is the base layer of the Bible, and I believe that a strong base is the most important thing to have.
When it comes to my favorite Old Testament book, the answer seems to fluctuate as I change. Currently, one book I keep going back to is Ecclesiastes. In this book, I like how Solomon puts life into perspective and his view on how meaningful life can be if one chooses to live it the right way.
ReplyDeleteJorja Whempner
1. Honestly I don't really mind writing a term paper, but writing a blog would be less time consuming.
ReplyDelete2. I've never really read a lot from the Old Testament, so I honestly don't know a lot of the figures from it. The stories and characters that I do know really just come from bible stories I was told in elementary school. I'd like to say I could maybe identify with David, and have enough faith and trust in God and face giant demons face to face.
3. I guess the book of Psalms would probably be my favorite. The Psalms are probably the one book of the bible that I have read the most. They are very poetic which make them really nice to read.
1. I would like make comments on blog.
ReplyDelete2. I used to attend the cathedral, so I know about the Old Testament, but I don't know much about it. So the story of Adam, Eve, and Noah seems to be familiar to non-Christians.
3. I like the Genesis part the most because I can see the origin of this civilization.
- Sophia(Seungeun) Lee
1. I don't want to write a term paper since I have only done 2 terms papers, both last semester, in my entire life. I would rather do a blog, if I can figure out how to do it. 2. I feel like I identify with Ruth. Ruth remained loyal to her mother - in - law, family. Family is very important to me. My family has been there for me when I needed the the most... after my husband was killed in a car accident. We continue to be there for each other. 3. I love the book of Genesis because of the creation story. I also love Psalms and the love chapter, I think it is 1st Corinthians.
ReplyDelete