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Question: "There are deep problems with affirming that God both tests and provides". What sort of God is suggested by Genesis chapter 22, how typical is it of portrayals of God elsewhere in Genesis chapters 12 to 50, and how may we help people read and understand this passage today?

I have to write an assignment on the above question (2500 words) which is fine.

Breaking the question down into its 3 fundamental elements gives the following.

1/ What sort of God is suggested by Genesis chapter 22?
2/ How typical is it of portrayals of God elsewhere in Genesis chapters 12 to 50?
3/ How may we help people read and understand this passage today?

My problem is I'm not certain what is the best way to deal with the 3 elements.

Should I deal with them in the order listed, or should I deal with 1 and 2 simultaneously so that direct comparisons can be made with respect to the nature of YHWH?

Part 3 would appear to fit in as the conclusion.

Obviously I need to write the introduction also.

Can any of you academics point me in the write direction?

Thanks Kev.

Is your work actually limited to Genesis 12-50? This would place certain constraints on the range of text you will have to consider. Obviously this would be intended to exclude the ideas of special creation (in God's image) -- Gen. 1-2 -- or even of divine judgment that is the result of rebellion where God delivers -- Gen. 6-9. This would place limitations on reading this passage within the canon of Scripture and thus exclude seeing "the LORD Provides" fulfilled in His self-giving through His one and only Son.

Also, what is the intention of the third question?

I personally would probably deal with the wider context, then the immediate context, then some suggested readings/applications/issues for the modern reader -- interacting with each of these in turn. Or perhaps, I would integrate several proposals of difficulties with the text, or differing views.

By the way, I should have asked what class you are writing this paper for? How long is the paper? How many (and what type of) resources are you required to use? Is this an undergrad paper or a grad paper or for something altogether different? Usually such things will also help to clarify some of these sorts of issues. The length and intended purpose will play a significant role in this.

Sorry I should have said. I have just started training for lay ministry for the church of england.
As part of the training we have embarked on a degree in theology and ministry. Given it is some 19 years since I have had to write an essay of any form, let alone an academic essay, I am struggling with essay plans, hence my question.

I am confined pretty much to the subject matter outlined in the questions. To digress would detract too much from dealing with the issues raised in the question and thus effect the mark I would receive. I need to be concise, but at the same time I need to cover all the significant points that the questions raise and in a structured fashion.

They are allowing a maximum of 2500 words.

Thanks for your input.
Kev

I think you are correct in your 3 sections for the main part, or body, of your essay BUT do not neglect the impact of the quotation given. If you handed an essay to me (secondary school English teacher) and had not considered the testing/ providing aspects, then I would conclude that you had not answered the question as set. (I have suggested a plan in the manner that I would to a senior high school student ... since you shared that it is a while since you did an essay, I thought this pattern might help.)

So, one suggested plan:
Introduction: Answer the question - Is God seen as both testing and providing and do "deep questions" arise? Outline your case, giving brief pointers to the major points you will make.
Notice that the quotation is in present tense - "There ARE deep problems ..." - which points to wanting the "today" bit addressed thoroughly. You could discuss if the problems are "deep" or something else.
If you structure this well, you can than follow the outline given here logically through the rest of your paper.
(Ask yourself: Will this answer the question?)

Body of your essay - 3 main sections with a number of paragraphs each:
1. What sort of God is seen in Genesis 22 - stay in Genesis 22 - that's what they are asking. Consider the testing/ providing seen there. What problems does this cause?
(Keep doing the mental check: Am I answering the question?)
2. Is this (which you have suggested) typical of God as seen in chapters 12-50? Be specific with your examples. Maybe go chronologically. What problems does this cause?
(Keep doing the mental check: Am I answering the question?)
3. Today - what problems have been identified? How are these resolved (or not) today? e.g. in the gospel and how we see these aspects of God's characters reconciled in his plan of salvation in Christ.
(Keep doing the mental check: Am I answering the question?)

Conclusion: Point back to the nature of God revealed in your main paragraphs, and answer the question: Are "deep questions" raised? Have the problems been resolved or do they remain?
(Have I answered the question?)

* Regardless of what essay plan you go with, you must addresses the question all the way through and do not forget to keep the quotation given in mind. Such quotation are included to give pointers about how to answer the question(s).
* Always do a spelling and grammar check! And read it, maybe even out loud - matters of expression and flow will become more evident. Never just trust electronic spell-checks (obvious maybe, but I notice you have a "write" instead of a "right" in the OP -a computer won't find that!)
* Stick to the word limit - check for allowances to be over or under, but aim to be very close to the limit set.
* The best person to ask for help is probably your lecturer/ teacher, if this is permitted and possible. Seek clarification about what they want early, so that you are on the right track from the beginning, not too late, as it may mean you have to rewrite or change directions and do things in too much of a hurry.

Hope it goes well. During my personal theological study, the BEST part of doing such essays was how much we can learn of God in the process, and draw closer to him - the most frustrating, sometimes, sticking to the question set for the purpose of getting the adequate-for-your-purposes grade at the end.

Avid Reader,

I offer you my sincere thanks for taking the time to give me such a detailed reply. It has been most helpful.

I can now go back over my research and place the notes I have made into the appropriate sections of the essay plan.

I guess it will take me a little bit of time to get back into an academic mind set, but I'll get there eventually.

He's praying that it all goes alright.

Thank you again.
Kev

You're very welcome - it's what I do!