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, please create for yourself a "Blogger" account by following the instructions at http://www.blogger.com/. Be sure to create a blogger profile which includes your e-mail address. Otherwise, I can't reply directly to your post.
To make sure your e-mail address is accessible to me, please log on to your blogger account. Click "edit profile" (toward the top on the right). Then click the box that says to make your e-mail address accessible.
When you have created your blogger account and your profile, click the "comments" link below, and answer one (1) 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?
Franklin Forsman here, I would always choose writing a blog comment rather than a term paper. Term papers are simply too much to put out in one sitting and I don't think they allow any professor to truly understand exactly how well or how not well the student is doing with the course material. I think the best solution would be to give everyone A's.
ReplyDeleteI would chose writing a term paper much rather than blogging as I do not feel blogging is my forte and I do not have much experience blogging.
ReplyDeleteWell, you are doing ok so far! You at least have managed to figure out how to post on the blog.
DeleteActually, this kind of blogging won't require any special talent. Just do the assigned reading and show you have done the reading with your response. I hope that students have ideas they really want to share with other students. Often they do. We will see with this class.
I do have some term paper alternatives if you *really* find the blogging task a problem.
I would rather use blogging! It is much more interactive than writing a paper and turning it in, and allows for better discussion.
ReplyDeleteI would prefer doing a blog over a paper. Blogs are easier and less stressful so without a doubt I'd rather do a blog.
ReplyDeleteI really like the book of 2 Samuel. At this point Saul is no longer king and David becomes Israel's greatest king. His reign has ups and downs but its very successful and very interesting. Also, it is interesting to see the decline in kings and the nation after David because the nation splits after his son's reign.
ReplyDeleteI like the blog format better. That way when I am gone for swimming or some reason I can easily check it.
ReplyDeleteI definitely prefer the blogs. I think they make learning the material easier because you just have to focus on one piece at a time rather than trying to focus of a bunch of readings at once like you would have to do with a term paper.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite book of the Old Testament is Psalms because the writers express their reliance on and praise for God, oftentimes when they are going through difficulties. Many of my favorite inspirational quotes come from this book. I also like that Psalms is so diverse in its authorship and content. These two factors make Psalms interesting both to read and research.
ReplyDeleteMy brother Marc especially likes the Psalms too. He has put many of them to music...including all of Psalm 119. I will give you a CD of Marc's Psalms if you like. I can make copies for anyone else who would like one...
DeleteI wouldn't mind a copy!
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Deletea copy would be awesome :)
DeleteHey, Jessica Hinners here. Now that I have figured out how to work the blogspot, I would blog anyday rather then writings a term paper. I think you learn different things in blogging then you would writing a term paper. Blogging allows for more discussion on the different topics we go over throughout the semester and I think you learn more about others viewpoints when doing these.
ReplyDeleteI love the OT, so I am not sure I have a favorite book! I would guess one that is a little closer to first place would be the book of Hosea. I really enjoy the language, and the contrast that the Lord uses in the book between warning his people of his punishment and almost romancing them with the comparison to Hosea and Gomer's marriage. I especially like chapter 2!!
ReplyDeleteJason here. I would much rather blog than do terms. It's a bit easier for me atleast to keep caught up with a blog than more terms
ReplyDeleteKellrhema Hinton :)
ReplyDeleteI most definitely prefer blogging! Writing a paper takes a lot of time whereas blogging once a day takes like 5 minutes. It's like splitting up the time that we would use to write a paper and putting it in smaller slots which are easier to handle. The only con of blogging for me is that there is the possibility of forgetting to blog, but I don't foresee that happening to me this semester. :)
I would rather comment on blogs throughout the semester. First of all it is generally easier writing than a full paper. it also forces us to stay on top of our readings in order to write a worthwhile blog entry. As a result we should be more informed for the upcoming class and better able to contribute to the class discussions. It also forces us to think more in depth about the readings than we normally would if we were to just read it without a blog entry.
ReplyDeleteJohn Rawerts
I would definitely rather write blogs than to write out term papers. I think that it is much more useful to see what others have to say and you learn more by seeing other people viewpoints rather than just your own. By seeing other peoples views you can you may come up with an idea that you might not have realized or thought about.
ReplyDeleteI would rather do comments on a blog than write a paper.
ReplyDeleteI would waaaay rather comment on blogs than write a paper. I don't know enough about the old testament to relate to anyone or pick a favorite book.
ReplyDeleteAs far as favorite books in the Old Testament, I would probably go with Genesis, Exodus, or Proverbs. I absolutely love mulling over the creation story and all the other stories that follow it on through to Exodus, but I also love the proverbs that offer great and timeless wisdom.
ReplyDelete~Aaron Johnston
Blogs are much easier for me to do rather than term papers because they are quicker to do rather than slave over a paper.
ReplyDeleteIt's a little hard to choose, but I really like the books of Genesis and Daniel. Genesis particularly because of the story of Joseph when God continually comes through and it is evident that God shows him favor and therefore the people he is involved with show him favor. I just think the outward signs that God is with him are really neat. In the book of Daniel a similar thing happens when God gives Daniel the ability to interpret dreams. This just shows me that no matter what happens God is always faithful even if things don't happen exactly the way we had planned or the way we want. He knows what we need.
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