Interpretive Commentary: Final Assignment Instructions
Overview
The Interpretive
Commentary Assignment provides an opportunity to write your own commentary
on a book of the Old Testament. This is essentially an interpretive paper but
should be structured as a commentary would be structured, following the
literary units within the book and providing interpretive analysis of each
unit. The Interpretive Commentary Assignment engages directly with the
biblical text so that you may observe, interpret, and apply the text through an
inductive means that also incorporates research into the interpretive issues
that surround the historical, literary, and theological elements of Scripture.
Instructions
The Interpretive
Commentary: Final Assignment is an interpretive paper on the book of
Habakkuk. You will write a commentary on the book of Habakkuk that is at least
2500 words excluding title page and bibliography. The paper should include an
introduction that emphasizes introductory matters pertaining to author,
audience, historical setting, literary genre, and theological motifs. The paper
should also include a conclusion that emphasizes application in areas of
practice and theology.
The main body of the paper is an interpretive
commentary on the three chapters of Habakkuk. However, it should be structured
not merely by chapter breaks, but by literary units that are marked by cohesion
of subject matter and genre. For example, most would see Habakkuk 1:2-4 as a
literary unit (Habakkuk’s initial complaint). For each literary unit (as
determined by your own structural analysis), you will provide interpretive
commentary that discusses, analyzes, and interprets the content within that
unit. A well-rounded commentary will engage in the historical, literary, and
theological points of interest and interpretive issues within the text of
Habakkuk.
The Interpretive Commentary: Final
Assignment must follow current Turabian format. At least five (5) sources
are necessary for the assignment. Recommended source material includes academic
commentaries (those published within the past 40 years are preferred), relevant
journal articles, and academic monographs. Avoid popular source material and
internet-based resource information (not to be confused with internet search
engines or electronic platforms that house published material).
Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality
via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.