How to b.s. a Church History Paper, part 1

Buenos dias, Bloglings of the World! (Or at least of the variety that are generous enough to read this one – I <3 you)

Before I start, I would like to strongly advise against b.s.ing papers and other various writing assignments. Please show some respect for yourself, the instructor, and/or the curriculum and at least try to make an effort. It’ll feel better, I hereby testify to all y’all.

Now for the rest of the post…

This is the first of several posts on how to b.s. a church history paper. The method to this madness will mainly involve the use of assorted vocabulary words. It’s not a terribly sophisticated or effective method, but: (1) there’s a reason why they call it b.s.ing, and (2) this is my blog, where I am the Chief Holder-of-the-Blogging Stick.

Here’s the vocabulary I have so far, listed in alphabetical order:

A
Apocalypticism
apocryphal
ascetic

B
bishopric

C
canon

D
docetism

E
ecclesiastical
ecumenical
edict
Epiphany
eschatology
Euhemerism

F

G
Gnostic

H
Hagiography
Hersieologist

I

J
Jewry / Judaism

K

L
liturgy

M
monastic

N
nomad

O
orthopraxy
orthodoxy

P
pseudepigrapha

Q

R

S
salvific
soteriology

T
theurgy
trinity

U

V
votary

W

X

Y

Z
Zarathustra

Now I pose a question question to you, gentle reader(s). Is there anything missing from this list that you’d like to see added? The rules are: you have to link it back to any time period of Judeo-Christian history or tradition in some way. If it’s a proper noun especially, I might ask you to justify it. For example, Zarathustra is on the list because some* scholars hypothesize that Judaism picked up its afterlife theology from Zoroastrianism. If you suggest Origen, Augustine, or the Church of Latter Day Saints, those are more obvious and won’t require justification, although you’re welcome to provide one if you wish.

Also, I have every intention of pulling this off without being disrespectful.

That’s my spiel.

Wanna play?

I’ll keep taking suggestions until I post the b.s.’d paper (in approximately 2 or 3 weeks, depending on how nightmarish my latest assignment for linguistics class turns out to be – if it turns out to be exceptionally difficult, the post would appear later than the estimated 2 or 3)

I think this will be fun. I hope at least some of you will too.

Thanks for indulging me!


* I say some, not all, on purpose.