Essay Question Two Essay Questions, only one from each category. You are
expected to give specific, concrete examples to discuss or make your points. Pure
opinion is not appropriate (that’s for English class). The more historical detail or
examples from things we’ve read in class the better. You’ll be expected to have a
brief introduction and a full conclusion.
Early Anabaptists
1. Contrast the views of Luther, and the Catholic Church with the early Swiss Brethren.
Why were the Anabaptists considered to be so radical?
2. The Schleitheim confession should still be the base of our church today.
Prussia to Manitoba
1. The book My Harp is Turned to Mourning states that “The Russian Mennonites needed the
persecution suffered at the time of the Russian Revolution.” P. 421 the character Mr. Lepp
seems to believe that for spiritual, economic, and perhaps social reasons the Russian
Mennonites brought the violence and terror upon themselves, that communities which they
built were not obedient to God’s will.
The isolation and success of the Mennonite colonies in Russia allowed the
Mennonites to nurture and preserve faithful communities. Agree or disagree
2. What were the three problems that faced Mennonites in Russia in the late
1800’s, were their solutions to these problems good or bad?
3. How did the loss of Catherine’s original concessions in Russia shape the history
of Mennonites who settled in Manitoba?
Summative
1. “Since the goal of a church should be to ensure its members and their children
become Christians, the restrictions on “worldly things” that distract people by
conservative churches, in the past and now, is a good thing.”
2. The history of Anabaptism is one of making concessions to the world, trying to stay
in it but not of it, “the pressures of society and the state changed the way in which
the Mennonite church views itself and those around it.”
3. Reform has been and will be a continuous dynamic of the Christian Church in
general and the Anabaptists in particular. Explain.
Rubric
Writing is linked to the thesis
2
With one point or several weak points, and
jumps to conclusions on these.
Writing demonstrates
Weak, repetitive knowledge, incomplete,
redundant or unspecific knowledge
Supporting evidence is:
Part of a vague argument, examples are
weak, confused, oversimplified, or
inappropriate
Mechanics
Errors are significant or are many
Style
Is simplistic, awkward, writing is choppy
words are used in an inappropriate manner
3
With several relevant points, but
theses points are unrelated or their
relationship is show in a limited
way.
Straightforward but not
impressive knowledge.
Partially or is a mixture of
relevant and extraneous
information, examples are
specific, appropriate and
purposeful.
Errors are minor or are few
Is simple and clear writing is
fairly smooth, word choices are
correct though simplistic or
repetitious
4
With several integrated points.
Knowledge that is accurate relevant,
logical, clear, mature,
comprehensive, persuasive,
interrelated and insightful.
Part of a well developed argument,
examples chosen are deliberate,
purposeful, meaningful, insightful
and comprehensive
Are correct
Is sophisticated, writing is smooth
prose is effective