Perspectives on the Christian Scriptures

Prof. Frederick J. Murphy

Anna Maria College

Masters in Pastoral Theology

First Paper Assignment

Due Monday, December 29, 2003

The assignment is to write a 4-5 page paper in which you use form, source, redaction, and composition criticism on a chapter of the gospel of Matthew. I suggest you do chapter 8. However, you can choose your own chapter, if you wish. Try to choose a chapter where Matthew is using Mark heavily, but perhaps also uses Q and even M.

In form criticism, you decide what form each unit of the text is in. Ask whether it is a miracle story, an exorcism, a pronouncement story, a parable, and so on. If you cannot apply a technical category to it, just describe it (e.g., a short narrative about Jesus). In source criticism, you decide where Matthew got the material – Mark, Q, or M. In redaction criticism, you comment on how Matthew has used his sources. What did he omit, add, rewrite, and why? Be concrete, detailed, and specific. Use your knowledge of Matthew’s interests and points of view to help you make your decisions.

Obviously, this is a lot for five pages. Be concise. Don’t worry about interesting style in your own writing. Be more concerned about clarity, sharpness of insight, and directness of expression. Think of it more as “scientific” than “literary” writing.

This is not a research paper. You need consult no outside sources. If you do consult such sources, you need only give me a list of the works you consulted. You need not footnote, for the purposes of this exercise.

Submit the paper by e-mail by midnight on Monday, December 29^th, or mail it, postmarked that day.