Definition Essay Assignment
Choose ONE term from the list below. Write a 3-4 page essay (APA format) to define the term using the Bible as the primary source of evidence.  The essay should include an introduction, three (3) body paragraphs, and a conclusion. A background paragraph is not needed.
 
You can use additional sources (make sure they are authoritative/credible) to help you understand the term. Make sure to include citations for these sources if you use ideas from them in the discussion sections of your body paragraphs.
 
A reference for the Bible is NOT necessary (i.e. if the Bible is your only source of evidence, no References page needed).
 
However, additional sources are needed as evidence for comparison/contrast paragraphs (as well as a References page, in that case).  Make sure to use correct citations. This includes the use of Bible Dictionaries or Encyclopedias, such as those found at www.biblegateway.com , or https://bible.org/
 
You may use any translation of the Bible to prepare this assignment, but it is recommended that you quote from the NRSV (the most common Bible for academic work) or the NIV (the most popular modern translation of the Bible).
You can also try a Google search by entering your “term (below)” + “definition or meaning in the Bible”
For example, search:
                      justice definition or meaning in the Bible
                or “justice in the Bible”
               or “definition of biblical justice”
               or  “meaning of biblical justice”
 
Another option is to try searching with the “method of definition” + “term” + “in the Bible”
For example, search:
                       Examples of Justice in the Bible
                  or Function of Justice in the Bible

TERMS

(Choose only one term, and the choice must come from the list below. Essays about terms other than on the list below without approval will not receive a grade):

 
Fear (Exampe Story: Jesus Calms the Storm, Matthew 14:22-33  & Jesus Walks on Water, Mark 4:35-41)
Grace (Example Story: Laborers in the Vineyard, Matthew 20:1-16)
Heaven (Example Story: A New Heaven and Earth, Revelation Chapter 21)
Obedience (Example Story: Abraham Tested, Genesis Chapter 22)
Patience (Example Story: The Story of Joseph, Genesis Chapter 37 & Genesis Chapter 39-45)
Peace (Example Story: The Sermon on the Mount, Matthew Chapter 5)
Defining with Biblical Passages
Methods of Definition
 
In the definition essay, there are a number of different ways in which we can use biblical passages to illustrate and illuminate our definitions.  The following will outline the different methods of definition with examples using the topic of biblical justice.  These methods can be used to guide entire paragraphs or as useful ways to discuss the evidence used.
 

1. Historical Origin:

Exploring a word in regards to its history, and how its meaning might have changed through the years, may help to illustrate your definition.
 
Ways I can use this in my essay:

• In this essay, please compare or contrast Old Testament Evidence with New Testament Evidence. Does the concept appear to change from Old to New? Or did it stay the same?  Both are meaningful in their own way.
• Don’t forget to use the assertion key word historical origin for this paragraph. Make sure the evidence comes from the Old AND New Testaments

2. Contrast or Comparison:

How the biblical definition is similar (comparison) or different (contrast) to other ways in which the word is defined.
 
Ways I can use this in my essay:

• Please use the key word accurately. Comparison means similar, contrast means different!
• There are a number of different ways you can compare contrast. Some of the more common include:
  • Biblical vs Other Religion such as Buddhism or Islam, etc. (You must use evidence from the other religion, either from their religious text or an authority in the religion, to support the comparison or contrast)
  • Biblical vs Secular (You must at least use a dictionary definition as evidence of the secular to support the comparison or contrast)
  • Biblical vs Other Culture such as Canadian culture or Chinese culture, etc. (You must have credible or authoritative evidence from the other culture to support the comparison or contrast)

3. Functions:

Explaining the purpose of the defined term.
 

4. Causes/Effects:

Explaining how the term begins an action/phenomenon/condition (cause) or the results of the term (effect).
 

5. Characteristics or Qualities:

Demonstrating the different attributes or aspects that characterize the word defined (i.e. What “humanizes” the concept).
 
 
 
 
 
 

6. Appearance:

Demonstrating what the word looks like using images, symbols, and examples.
 
Ways I can use this in my essay:

• The evidence for this paragraph should include clear mental “pictures” or visual imagery from the Bible. The discussion should focus on how the images prove your differentiation

7. Analogy:

Drawing similarities between things that are otherwise dissimilar.
 
Ways I can use this in my essay:

• For this essay, please create your own analogy and then compare/contrast it (in the discussion section of the body paragraph) to an analogy about your term that you discovered in your research (Biblical Evidence).

8. Connotation:

Demonstrating the association of secondary meanings to the word being defined.
 
Ways I can use this in my essay:

• Connotation refers to co-related ideas that are associated with the word that are not the differentiation. For instance, the term “justice” often connotes police, crime, jail, anger, judges, the court system, revenge, forgiveness, etc.  None of those terms explains what justice is, but they are common thoughts/ideas that come up when one thinks of the term.

9. Process:

Demonstrating how the word might work with detailed explanation and examples.
 
Ways I can use this in my essay:

• For this essay, the discussion and evidence should include clear “steps” (i.e. use the transition words “First, Second, Third”). It is important to follow the paragraph pattern in this situation, so you must choose your main evidence carefully.

10. Examples:

Sharing a few of the more significant people/stories that help explain the term.
 
Ways I can use this in my essay:

• In this essay, using an example could be done in two ways. First, using one example from the Bible, provide two pieces of evidence that demonstrate the differentiation. Alternatively, you could use two examples from the Bible that have a close relationship to the differentiation. In this case, only quote the most meaningful line from the story, introduced with concise context to support your differentiation.
• Because your paragraph cannot exceed one page in writing, DO NOT retell the story in the paragraph. Instead, give only sufficient context from the story, including a quotation, to support your differentiation. It is much more important to DISCUSS how the example supports your differentiation than to summarize what the story is about.