Denis O. Lamoureux: Four Views on the Historical Adam Occasion of the work amp; Background When was the work originally written? What is the context...

Occasion of the work & Background

• When was the work originally written?
• What is the context of the work? (specific social, political, religious context)
• Why did the author(s) write this work? Who is the specific audience?
• What is the author's background? (specific religious/denomination, educational, ethnicity, etc.)

 Sources & Type of Work

• What type of work is it? (sermon, theological treatise, polemic, response, story/novel, autobiography, etc.)
• Who does the author credit for intellectual ideas and critical assistance?
• What does the author rely on (reason, Scripture, experience)? What specific parts of Scripture does the author use?
• What are the author's presuppositions? An author's presuppositions include their views about- where we came from, who God is, who we are, what's wrong, what's the remedy, what is authoritative, etc.

Define Key Terms (according to the author's usage)

• Define words you don't know.
• Define words important to the author's argument (even if you know what they mean.) For example define Luther's understanding of "sola Scriptura". Both the word and his understanding of it is key to properly understanding the text.

Thesis and Key Points

• What is the work's main thesis? Rephrase is in your own words. Try to state in in 10-12 words or less.
• What are the 5-7 key points/arguments of the work?

 Reactions

• Note questions and critiques of the work
• What is your view of the work? Give specific areas of agreement or disagreement. Why?
• How well does the author's view accord with Scripture? Be specific
• Give specific implications of this work for Christianity, society, for you?