Demonstrate how the historical background of the New Testament illumines the dating of specific New Testament passages. Your study of New Testament history and background will pay off as you begin to interpret the New Testament more accurately and share what you are learning with those you are discipling. It also will help you understand how to date certain passages and how the New Testament books relate to one another. Learning Activity #7: Historical Background Investigation Paper You will do an investigative activity that will bring your prior work together in this first week, and help you understand the dating of certain New Testament passages. Here are three New Testament passages all relating to a Herod, who is in some way ruling Palestine: — Matthew 2:1-5; — Mark 6:14; — Acts 12:1, 20-22. Write a 2 page paper addressing the following. To achieve maximum points for content and analysis, the following elements need to be thoroughly addressed: Identify each Herod by name. Based on the specific Herod mentioned in the passage, give an approximate date range for each passage. Tell what is significant about the dating of the first passage. Provide at least two sources. If you cite a dictionary it will be in addition to the required two sources. The Bible is not to be listed on the References page, but does have to be cited in-text.
