Author Archives: theresatulsiak

What does Scripture mean by “fulfillment”? (Use the citation from Hosea as an example in your answer.) Second, identify anything you can see in these opening chapters of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke that addresses the elements of the Old Testament narrative that we discussed last class. When Scripture references this notion of fulfillment,Continue reading “March 3”

By your reading of the chapters in Numbers, what would you say it is that leads to the wilderness generation’s condemnation? What is it that leads to Moses’? (2) The book of Deuteronomy presents Moses’ last discourse before his death just outside the Promised Land. Under Moses’ successor, Joshua, Israel will enter in and takeContinue reading

What is purity / impurity? 2. Why does God require the maintenance of purity? 3. What is the logic of the laws we encounter related to purity, specifically the food laws? The dual notions of purity versus impurity lies in the societal standard to reach unity, completeness, and order. As Mary Douglas points out, dirtContinue reading “February 18”

“Who is God?” In accordance with the mystery of God, the identity of such an incomprehensible being remains just that: a mystery. To put into words the identity of a being that is unable to fully be understood by the human mind is a challenge such that even the most omnipresent and omnipotent being hasContinue reading “January 11”

Why does Joseph plant the silver cup? What is the ultimate aim of such a move? How does this relate to his status as the beloved son? Appeal explicitly to the story as a whole (i.e. Gen 37-50) and to article from Anderson in your answer. The story of Joseph in Genesis 37-50 provides bothContinue reading “February 6”

To see how that pattern emerges in the life of Jacob, who himself will undergo a kind of death and rebirth, attend to what it is that Jacob takes in the story and what it is he eventually receives. (A common theme, no?) The center, of course, is his relationship with Esau and through Esau,Continue reading “February 4”

What is religion? Although there exists a wide breadth of what one could call a religion, we could define religion in a literal sense. Oxford English Dictionary gives several definitions of the word, most relating to the belief in a god or divine being. Number four on the list, however, defines religion simply as, “AContinue reading “January 30”

According to Wilken (and Augustine from whom Wilken draws his thought), why is faith unavoidable? Why is it beneficial? Cite some passages. To encapsulate why faith is unavoidable, and in the words of Saint Augustine himself, “Nothing would remain stable in human society if we determined to believe only what can be held with absoluteContinue reading “January 28”

Abraham’s passing of the final test of obedience rests in his complete faith in God and the promise to make Abraham the father of a great people. From the beginning of the story of Abraham, God promises to make his name great, blessing him with all he may need. As the story progresses, God continuesContinue reading “January 23”

Leon Kass is a secular (as in not-religious) Jewish medical doctor from Chicago. (He taught at U. Chicago for many years in the humanities.) His book, The Beginning of Wisdom, is a careful literary reflection about this first book of the Bible. Drawing on what Kass has to say (and aware that your classmates will readContinue reading “January 21”