The history of interpretation paper will detail the use of a particular verse in Christian exegesis
across the centuries. Students must choose one verse from the reading assignment for the first
week. The history of interpretation paper must make use of sources that were assigned for class
readings as well as sources that were not assigned. See the details provided further below. The
final version of this paper should be 1500-2100 words (approximately 5-7 pages). You should
plan to work with SmartThinking, our online tutoring service. Please plan ahead of time to make
use of this resource and develop not only individual papers, but yourself as a writer.
Students will select a single verse from the list of Scripture verses assigned as reading for the
first week (excepting 1 Tim 2:4, which may not be chosen since various reading assignments in
the course already cover this verse and students may write their argumentative essay on this
verse). This paper should trace the history of the interpretation of the selected verse, noting at
least two significant interpretations from assigned course readings and one significant
interpretation from readings not assigned for this course. Sources used regularly in this course,
like the Anchor Bible Commentary and Sacra Pagina will provide students with ample resources
to find theologians not listed on the syllabus. Such commentaries do not count as significant
interpretations for the history of interpretation paper. Some popular theologians who are not on
the syllabus and would be helpful to complete the history of interpretation paper include St. Basil
the Great, St. Cyril of Jerusalem, St Gregory the Great, St. Leo the Great, St. Bonaventure, St.
Catherine of Siena, St. Julian of Norwich, Martin Luther, Huldrych Zwingli, Jonathan Edwards,
John Wesley, Friedrich Schleiermacher, John Henry Newman, Karl Barth, and CS Lewis.
Students must state their choice of a verse during the 4th week of class. This will be posted in a
discussion board. A list of significant theologians and relevant passages within their literary
corpus is needed
https://bible.usccb.org/bible
