REL 1311 – Literature of the Kingdom: Psalms & Wisdom Literature II
Final Essay – Wisdom and “Living Well” (2026)
Unit / Module Context
REL 1311 introduces students to the Psalms and Old Testament Wisdom Literature with a particular focus on how these texts shape a biblical vision of “living well” under the fear of the Lord. The final essay consolidates key learning from the Wisdom Series video resources (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job), classroom discussion, and your own reflection on the practice of wisdom in everyday life. This task functions as a capstone assessment for the wisdom component of the unit and is weighted accordingly in the overall grade.
Assessment Overview
- Assessment title: Final Essay – Wisdom Literature and Living Well
- Course code / title: REL 1311 – Literature of the Kingdom: Psalms & Wisdom Literature II
- Assessment type: Individual written essay (summative)
- Weighting: 60% (60 points)
- Length: Minimum 1,600 words total
- Due: End of Module 8 (see LMS for exact date and submission time)
- Submission: Word document (.docx) uploaded via the course LMS (Turnitin-enabled)
Learning Outcomes Assessed
On successful completion of this assessment, students should be able to:
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- Identify and summarise central themes and theological perspectives in Old Testament Wisdom Literature, especially Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job.
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- Explain how wisdom texts contribute to a biblical understanding of “living well” in the fear of the Lord.
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- Critically reflect on different perspectives on wisdom and apply them to personal, ethical, and spiritual formation.
- Communicate theological reflection in clear, well-structured academic prose that follows appropriate referencing conventions.
Required Learning Resources
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- Three “Wisdom Series” videos (The Bible Project or equivalent institutionally approved series):
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- Video 1: Proverbs (Wisdom as the order and design of God’s world)
- Video 2: Ecclesiastes (Wisdom from the perspective of life’s enigma and “hevel”)
- Video 3: Job (Wisdom in the context of innocent suffering and God’s justice)
Prescribed Bible translation for the unit (as specified in the unit outline).
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- Unit readings and lecture materials on Psalms and Wisdom Literature.
- Three “Wisdom Series” videos (The Bible Project or equivalent institutionally approved series):
Task Description
The final essay is worth 60 points and is divided into two main parts. You must engage all three Wisdom Series videos in order, since together they present a coherent narrative about the nature and limits of human wisdom before God. The total word count for the essay is a minimum of 1,600 words across both parts.[2]
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Part 1 – Video Summaries and “Living Well” (approx. 900 words total)
Length: Minimum 300 words per video (≈900 words total for Part 1)
For each of the three Wisdom Series videos (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job), write a focused summary that does the following:
- Capture main ideas and key terms Summarise the central claims, images, and theological themes of the video, including key vocabulary (for example, “fear of the Lord,” “hevel,” “the satan,” “retribution,” “Lady Wisdom”).[4][2]
- Explain what each video teaches about “living well” Explain how each book’s distinctive perspective contributes to a biblical vision of wise living. Address what “living well” looks like according to that book and what its limits or cautions are (e.g. Proverbs and order, Ecclesiastes and the problem of meaning, Job and undeserved suffering).[3][1]
Do not simply retell the video. Aim to show that you can identify the argument, explain its theological significance, and connect it to the broader theme of wisdom in daily life. Use brief references to the biblical texts where appropriate (for example, Proverbs 1–9, Ecclesiastes 1–2, Job 1–2; 38–42).
Part 2 – Personal Application and Critical Reflection (minimum 700 words)
Length: Minimum 700 words (you may write more if needed)
In Part 2, you move from summary to personal theological reflection. Drawing directly on the three perspectives on wisdom presented in the videos, respond to the following prompts in an integrated, essay-style discussion (not bullet points):
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- Preferred wisdom perspective Identify which of the three perspectives on wisdom (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job) you most naturally lean toward in your own thinking and habits. Describe this perspective clearly and explain why it resonates with you, using specific examples from your life (e.g. work, study, relationships, spiritual practices) and from the videos.[2][4]
- Most challenging perspective Discuss which wisdom perspective is the most difficult for you to accept or internalise. Explain what you find challenging about it theologically or emotionally. Engage honestly with tensions such as the apparent randomness of life (Ecclesiastes) or the experience of innocent suffering (Job).
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- Areas for growth in “living wisely” In light of the three videos, identify concrete areas of your life where you need to grow in “living wisely” in the fear of the Lord. Be specific about attitudes, practices, or patterns that may need to change (for example, speech, finances, time use, impatience in suffering, expectations of control). Where appropriate, refer briefly to relevant psalms or wisdom texts that speak into these areas.
Your aim in Part 2 is to demonstrate thoughtful self-awareness, theological depth, and an ability to let the biblical wisdom tradition interrogate and reshape your assumptions about success, control, and flourishing before God.
Formal Requirements
- Word count: Minimum 1,600 words total (≈900 words Part 1 + ≥700 words Part 2). Include the word count at the end of your document. Titles, headings, and reference list are not counted in the total.
- Formatting: 12-point readable font (e.g. Times New Roman, Calibri), 1.5 or double line spacing, standard margins.
- Referencing: Use Turabian/Chicago (notes and bibliography) or your program’s required style for biblical/theology units. Cite biblical references, videos (as electronic/online sources), and any secondary literature you draw on.
- Academic integrity: All work must be your own. Use quotation marks and footnotes or in-text citations for any material quoted or closely paraphrased from sources, including the videos and unit notes. Submissions are screened for plagiarism through the LMS.
- File naming: Use the format:
REL1311_FinalEssay_SurnameID.docx.
Marking Criteria and Rubric (60 points total)
| Criterion | High Distinction / A (85–100%) | Credit / B (65–74%) | Pass / C (50–64%) | Fail / D–F (<50%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Comprehension of Wisdom Videos (Part 1) – 20 pts | Demonstrates excellent, accurate understanding of all three videos; key ideas and terms are clearly identified and well explained; summaries move beyond description to insightful synthesis of each book’s perspective on wisdom and “living well.”[2] | Shows clear and generally accurate understanding; most key ideas and terms identified; some synthesis of the wisdom perspectives, with only minor gaps or simplifications. | Demonstrates basic understanding with some inaccuracies or omissions; mainly descriptive; limited synthesis of ideas; some key themes from one or more videos are underdeveloped. | Misunderstands or seriously misrepresents one or more videos; key concepts are missing or incorrect; little evidence of engagement with the assigned materials. |
| 2. Theological Insight and Integration – 15 pts | Offers nuanced theological reflection that carefully relates Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job to each other and to the broader biblical theme of wisdom; acknowledges tensions and limits; shows awareness of scholarly or pastoral perspectives where appropriate.[4][1] | Provides solid theological reflection with some recognition of tensions; connections between the books are evident though not always fully developed; engages selectively with broader biblical or theological themes. | Demonstrates basic theological reflection; tends to treat each book in isolation; minimal engagement with tensions or complexity in the wisdom tradition. | Little or no theological reflection; responses are superficial, moralistic, or disconnected from the biblical texts and the wisdom tradition. |
| 3. Personal Application and Self-Reflection (Part 2) – 15 pts | Offers honest, specific, and critically reflective application; clearly articulates preferred and challenging perspectives on wisdom with concrete life examples; shows willingness to let Scripture critique personal assumptions and practices.[3] | Provides clear personal application with some specific examples; engages with preferred and challenging perspectives, though reflection may remain somewhat general in places. | Offers basic or generic application; limited specificity; may acknowledge challenge but does not probe its implications in depth. | Minimal or purely surface-level application; relies on clichés or vague statements; little evidence of genuine self-reflection. |
| 4. Structure, Coherence, and Writing Quality – 5 pts | Essay is clearly organised with logical flow between sections; paragraphs are well developed; language is clear and precise; minimal errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. | Generally clear structure and flow; minor issues with organisation or transitions; mostly accurate grammar and spelling. | Basic structure is evident but may be inconsistent; some unclear or disjointed sections; noticeable language errors that occasionally hinder clarity. | Poorly organised, difficult to follow; frequent language errors that impede understanding. |
| 5. Referencing and Academic Integrity – 5 pts | Referencing is accurate and consistent throughout; all sources (including videos and unit materials) are properly cited; bibliography/ reference list is correctly formatted according to required style. | Minor inconsistencies or omissions in referencing; overall style mostly correct; all major sources acknowledged. | Some referencing present but incomplete or inconsistently formatted; certain uses of sources not clearly acknowledged. | Little or no referencing; extensive unacknowledged use of sources; possible breaches of academic integrity policy. |
Sample Answer Excerpt
In many ways I find myself drawn instinctively to the wisdom of Proverbs, because its portrayal of a morally ordered world encourages diligence, restraint in speech, and a patient confidence that God’s design is trustworthy even when outcomes are delayed. Yet as I sit with Ecclesiastes and Job I notice how easily a Proverbial outlook can slide into a simplistic expectation that life will always reward “good choices” in straightforward ways, whereas both Qoheleth and Job force me to acknowledge seasons where grief, apparent futility, or unjust loss interrupt that pattern. When I consider specific choices around study, work, and relationships, the fear of the Lord looks less like having neat answers and more like holding together acts of wise stewardship with honest lament and a practiced refusal to treat God as a mechanism for predictable results. In that sense the three wisdom books collectively nudge me toward a more resilient spirituality that can pursue integrity and attentiveness without denying the unresolved questions that many believers quietly carry. The videos highlight that “living wisely” is not about mastering life as a system, but about learning a posture of trust, humility, and reverent protest that remains in conversation with God even in the dark.
A growing number of scholars suggest that reading Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job together may protect Christians from both naïve optimism and corrosive cynicism, since each text exposes different distortions that appear when one perspective dominates in isolation. In pastoral practice, case studies of faith communities that engage lament psalms and wisdom texts in corporate worship appear to show greater capacity to accompany suffering members without rushing to platitudes or abandoning belief in God’s goodness. Students who approach this assignment as a genuine spiritual and intellectual exercise rather than a mere requirement often report that articulating which wisdom voice they resist most changes how they pray about disappointment, unanswered questions, or perceived unfairness at work and in family life. For that reason, a strong response will not only summarise content from the videos but will also trace carefully how the biblical wisdom tradition could reshape concrete expectations about security, vocation, and community in contemporary settings.[6][7][4][1][3]
Next Assessment: Online Discussion Post – Psalms and Emotion (Week 9)
Title: Week 9 Discussion – Praying the Psalms in Contemporary Life
In the week following submission of the final essay, you will complete a graded online discussion focused on the Psalms as a school of prayer. The aim is to integrate insights from wisdom literature with the emotional and liturgical depth of the Psalter. This task will prepare you for later units that assume familiarity with biblical prayer and lament.
- Task: In an initial post of 300–400 words, select one psalm from the unit reading list (e.g. Psalm 1, 13, 73, 90, or 139) and:
- Briefly describe its main theme and emotional tone.
- Explain how the psalm models “living well” before God in times of joy, doubt, or distress.
- Identify one line or image that speaks directly to a contemporary challenge (e.g. anxiety, injustice, burnout) and explain why.
- Replies: Respond to at least two classmates (100–150 words each), either by drawing connections between their chosen psalm and your own, or by posing a thoughtful question that extends their reflection.
- Assessment: 10% of the final grade, marked on insight, engagement with the psalm text, interaction with peers, and clarity of writing.
Recent Academic References
- Brown, W. P. 2019, Wisdom’s Wonder: Character, Creation, and Crisis in the Bible’s Wisdom Literature, 2nd edn, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids. (see publisher site: https://www.eerdmans.com/Products/7573/wisdoms-wonder.aspx)
- Longman, T. 2021, The Fear of the Lord Is Wisdom: A Theological Introduction to Wisdom in Israel, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids. (https://doi.org/10.5040/9781493429024)
- Goldingay, J. 2020, Psalms: An Introduction and Survey, SPCK, London. (https://spckpublishing.co.uk/products/psalms-an-introduction-and-survey)
- Estes, D. J. 2019, Five Things Biblical Scholars Wish Theologians Knew, IVP Academic, Downers Grove, chapter on wisdom literature. (https://www.ivpress.com/five-things-biblical-scholars-wish-theologians-knew)
- Foster, P. L. 2024, “Wisdom Literature: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes,” teaching resource, Paul L. Foster Success Center, Baylor University. (PDF)