Q Scripture Interpretation and Meditation (SIM) Papers Resources to be utilized for SIM #5 (Psalm 139) • OT Intro • Psalms Kidner • Psalms Walvoord & Zuck Description For each of the genres explored, interpret passages according to the following format. Each paper is to be a minimum of 2 pages (max 4), typed, double-spaced. Approach each passage with prayer and dependence on God’s Spirit for understanding and obedience. Read and re-read the meditation passage. Are there any questions that arise or features of the text that jump out at you? Prepare to research some of these questions in a few points when you open up some commentaries. Now, carefully work through the following steps. (The following underlined bullet points comprise the major sections of your SIM that you should address): • Section 1: Genre o Identify the genre and describe its interpretive principles in your own words. This should be just a few sentences or a short paragraph. Please footnote Russell for each principle. (Instructions for footnotes are below.) • Section 2: Big Idea Statement o After reading the passage a few times, try to express the core idea of the passage in one concise sentence. Step 2 requires you to start work on your Big Idea sentence; at this point it is your first draft of the sentence. Wait till Step 4 to improve your sentence. • Section 3: Observations and Analysis o Note: This section should be your longest section. Consulting a minimum of 2 commentaries (see top picks listed on Canvas). Use the interpretive principles from Step 1 to help you decide which elements are most important and relevant to this passage. o Note: Incorporate observations from the commentaries that help in interpreting the passage. PDFs of two recommended academic commentaries for the passage are linked above. (You will find PDFs for future SIM passages in the Canvas assignment detail for that particular SIM.) Grow familiar with using these recommended commentaries. This is where you can find out what good scholars might have to say about the meaning of the text. This would be the time to research what jumped out at you (and perhaps what didn't quite jump out at you) as you first read the text. If questions came up in your reading, you might find these questions addressed here. As you read these scholars' comments, try to incorporate new insights gleaned from the recommended commentary (or commentaries) you used. As you look into the commentaries, here are a couple recommended approaches to writing this section (you Analysis of the text): ? Apply the appropriate interpretive principles as you discuss the meaning of the passage. ? Take the reader through the passage from start to finish, explaining pertinent words, phrases, questions, themes, structural issues, etc., along the way. The commentaries will help bolster and support your interpretation as you incorporate the new insights you find. o Use the following headings for each type of observation. Provide a heading for each subsection (see example SIM for an example of formatting). o Historical: State the author, and briefly discuss the dating and audience (if known) of the passage (Use the Introduction sections of commentaries on the passage to find this information). Discuss any other historical elements that help you to understand this passage. o Cultural: Discuss any cultural elements that help you to understand this passage o Literary: Describe the structure of the passage. Comment on any literary devices that might help shape the structure. o Grammatical: Include any observations about the grammar of the passage that helps interpretation. Use exegetical commentaries to help you consider grammatical features such as: 1) Identify features of verbs that are observable from the original language in which the text was written; 2) Prepositional phrases, relative clauses and “of clauses;” 3) Conjunctions – note the two ideas that they connect; etc. o But how do I find this information? There are introductions to the Old and New Testaments that will offer good insights for the author, date, etc. (link to an OT Intro is below) You will need to footnote each time you use the insight of another scholar in your writing (see #2 below). • Section 4: Spend 30 minutes meditating on the texts meaning and significance and rewrite your big idea statement (for a more detailed description of this section see example SIM posted below). Write a few sentences defending your interpretation (utilize the interpretive principles as well as any pertinent observations from section 3). • Section 5: Application o Having established the boundaries of the original application by the original author, make a contemporary application that does not violate the author's original intent. What impact and/or relevance does this passage have on your own present spiritual formation? Be really specific. How does this passage also apply within a Christian community context of which you are a part (small group, church, ministry). Give evidence of having used Lectio Divina. Here is a sample format for a SIM with all the components. Included is an example of what a proper footnote looks like. SIM Sample Format S17 (5).doc Important additional notes: 1. Give evidence of having used Lectio Divina: After exploring the meaning of the text and incorporating Lectio Divina, be sure to give some indication of your use of it in each SIM. One could simply say, "In Lectio..." or "During my time of meditation..." 2. Begin to use footnotes: Footnotes are important because they give credit to the scholars to whom you have referred in researching your SIM passage. As you footnote, we will be using the Turabian style of formatting. To find out how to do Turabian formatting, you can Google "Kate Turabian Footnotes," go to eTurabian.com, or Turabian: A Manual for Writers (Links to an external site.). Your computers have easy prompts for footnoting. I understand that footnoting is probably new to you, so comments will be made on your SIM papers when the format needs attention.To get you started, here is how Russell's text is footnoted: Walt Russell, Playing with Fire (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2000), 125. (Note first name first, italicized title, parentheses used for city of publishing house, the publisher, and year published, a comma after the close parentheses, and then the page number, ending with a period.) Notice that the title of the book is italicized. This is preferred over underlining. You will not be marked down as you learn more about using footnotes, but you will want to have a good grasp of this by the time you write your Hermeneutics Paper. Footnoting is very important because in doing so, you are giving proper credit to the scholars' words and ideas that you are borrowing to make your point. 3. Do not use Internet sources or a study Bible. These will not be acceptable sources for SIM papers or your final hermeneutics paper. 4. Prayer should be part of this process at the beginning and end, and throughout your time in God's word. You are getting into the Word and letting the Word get into you. • A score of 90-100 means that the writer addresses and develops each aspect of the assignment and goes beyond the assignment prompt to address additional related material. There is an excellent flow to the writing, with no spelling or grammar errors. Interaction with materials is clearly articulated and reflections are relevant and specific. This is an EXCELLENT paper. • A score of 80- 90 means that the writer addresses each aspect of the assignment. This is a "good" paper. Good flow to the writing, with very few spelling or grammar errors. There is some interaction with materials and good attempt toward specific implications and application in reflections. This is a GOOD paper. • A score of 70-79 means that the writer addresses the appropriate topic, and partially fulfills assignment requirements. There may be grammar and spelling errors. Reflections are more general or non-specific. This is an AVERAGE/OKAY paper • A score of 60-69 means that the writer addresses the appropriate topic but omits most or all of the assignment requirements. This is a BELOW-UNIVERSITY-STANDARDS paper. • A score below 60-the writer is off topic or vaguely addresses the topic. See comment directly above.