Seminar in Seminar in Theological Theological

Research (GTHE 517)Research (GTHE 517)

Dr. David HebertDr. David Hebert

E-mail: E-mail: dhebert@oru.edu

(Thanks to Dr. James Tollett & Sally (Thanks to Dr. James Tollett & Sally Shelton for input for this Shelton for input for this

presentation)presentation)

Genesis Genesis (Beginnings)(Beginnings)

Introduce each other (name, where Introduce each other (name, where from?, & perceived giftedness to the from?, & perceived giftedness to the Body of Christ)Body of Christ)

Introduce Course MaterialIntroduce Course Material Tour of ORU Library with Prof. Jane Tour of ORU Library with Prof. Jane

MalcolmMalcolm Continue with Course MaterialContinue with Course Material

Consider These Consider These Statistics!Statistics! (According to The Barna Research (According to The Barna Research Group)Group)

Only 19% of “born-again” adults in America have a Only 19% of “born-again” adults in America have a biblical worldview (6 March 2009)biblical worldview (6 March 2009)

Of 601 Senior Pastors (random cross-section of Of 601 Senior Pastors (random cross-section of Protestant churches), only 51% have a biblical Protestant churches), only 51% have a biblical worldview (12 January 2004)worldview (12 January 2004)

Only 15% of those who regularly attend Christian Only 15% of those who regularly attend Christian churches rate God as the highest priority in their churches rate God as the highest priority in their life—compared to 70% of pastors who think their life—compared to 70% of pastors who think their congregants rate God as the highest priority (10 congregants rate God as the highest priority (10 January 2006), andJanuary 2006), and

Among “born-again” American Christians:Among “born-again” American Christians: 10% believe that people are reincarnated after death 10% believe that people are reincarnated after death (21 (21

OCT 2003)OCT 2003) 29% believe it is possible to communicate w/the dead 29% believe it is possible to communicate w/the dead (21 (21

OCT 2003)OCT 2003) 53% believe a person can “earn” salvation based on good 53% believe a person can “earn” salvation based on good

works works (6 MAR 2009)(6 MAR 2009)

Foundational Foundational DevotionDevotion

2 Tim 3:16/Prov 6:232 Tim 3:16/Prov 6:23 – – Scripture is “God-breathed” & profitable Scripture is “God-breathed” & profitable for: Teaching, Reproof, Correction, Training/Instruction in for: Teaching, Reproof, Correction, Training/Instruction in RighteousnessRighteousness (Scripture is foundational and applies to all (Scripture is foundational and applies to all areas of our Christian lives to help keep us on the “right areas of our Christian lives to help keep us on the “right way/path”)way/path”)

What is each of our own unique “member/part” or purpose in What is each of our own unique “member/part” or purpose in the Body of Christ? the Body of Christ? ((Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12:12-30; Eph 4:7-16; 1Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12:12-30; Eph 4:7-16; 1 Pet 4:10-11Pet 4:10-11—So that each of us may know and function in it —So that each of us may know and function in it fully to become a built up, unified and mature—pure & fully to become a built up, unified and mature—pure & spotless—Body of Christ for which He shall return at the spotless—Body of Christ for which He shall return at the Rapture of the Church)Rapture of the Church)

((Caution!!!Caution!!!) ) Proverbs 19:2Proverbs 19:2 – Rushing ahead without – Rushing ahead without knowledge is not goodknowledge is not good

2 Tim 2:152 Tim 2:15 – “Earnestly Study” to show yourself approved to – “Earnestly Study” to show yourself approved to God as a workman able to “rightly divide the Word of Truth” God as a workman able to “rightly divide the Word of Truth” (especially in the times in which we live & in light of 1 Tim 4:1-(especially in the times in which we live & in light of 1 Tim 4:1-2, 7 & 2 Tim 4:3-4, regarding “deceptive spirits, doctrines of 2, 7 & 2 Tim 4:3-4, regarding “deceptive spirits, doctrines of demons, myths, & old wives’ tales;” which amounts to false demons, myths, & old wives’ tales;” which amounts to false doctrine/heresy & the statistics above)doctrine/heresy & the statistics above)

Foundational Devotion Foundational Devotion (cont.)(cont.)

Therefore;Therefore; Proverbs 1:7Proverbs 1:7 – The “ – The “fear of the Lordfear of the Lord” is the beginning of ” is the beginning of

knowledge knowledge (The reverent, awestruck, holy respect for The (The reverent, awestruck, holy respect for The Triune God of the Universe should be our attitude)Triune God of the Universe should be our attitude)

Proverbs 1:23; 23:12Proverbs 1:23; 23:12 – “Turn back at my warning; behold, I – “Turn back at my warning; behold, I will pour out my Spirit to you; I will make my words known to will pour out my Spirit to you; I will make my words known to you” and “Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to you” and “Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge” words of knowledge” (Maintain a tender heart and a (Maintain a tender heart and a teachable soul)teachable soul)

Proverbs 20:27Proverbs 20:27 – The “human spirit” is the “lamp of the Lord” – The “human spirit” is the “lamp of the Lord” (Illuminated by the power of the (Illuminated by the power of the ParakletosParakletos—the Comforter, —the Comforter, One called alongside to help, the Holy Spirit—In our spirit, One called alongside to help, the Holy Spirit—In our spirit, listen to the Holy Spirit and pray in the Holy Spirit)listen to the Holy Spirit and pray in the Holy Spirit)

IfIf we fulfill our part of this we fulfill our part of this Conditional PromiseConditional Promise; ; thenthen the the result will be: result will be: Proverbs 2:6Proverbs 2:6 – For the Lord will then give: – For the Lord will then give: wisdom, knowledge, understanding, & protection to those wisdom, knowledge, understanding, & protection to those who fear Himwho fear Him

The Purpose resides in the The Purpose resides in the Title of the CourseTitle of the Course

SeminarSeminar – A small group of students in – A small group of students in Graduate School engaged in original Graduate School engaged in original research or intensive study (Webster)research or intensive study (Webster)

TheologicalTheological – from “ – from “TheosTheos,” meaning ,” meaning God in Greek and “ology,” from God in Greek and “ology,” from legolego or or logoslogos in Greek, meaning to relate in words in Greek, meaning to relate in words or something said (including the thought or something said (including the thought and idea); by impl., a topic, subject or and idea); by impl., a topic, subject or discourse (Strong’s)—a course of study discourse (Strong’s)—a course of study about God (specifically, from a Christian & about God (specifically, from a Christian & biblical view—the Triune God of the Bible)biblical view—the Triune God of the Bible)

ResearchResearch – scholarly or scientific – scholarly or scientific investigation or inquiry requiring close, investigation or inquiry requiring close, careful study (Webster)careful study (Webster)

SeminarsSeminars = Group = Group discussion/work/collaborationdiscussion/work/collaboration

++

Provide a Provide a safesafe environment for environment for learninglearning

Provide illumination and Provide illumination and insightinsight Provide enhancement: Provide enhancement: value addedvalue added

= = “something . . . that has been added to a “something . . . that has been added to a product . . . to warrant a markup in the retail product . . . to warrant a markup in the retail price”price” ((Random House Unabridged Random House Unabridged DictionaryDictionary))

Provide opportunities to Provide opportunities to think think togethertogether, to share the fruit of our , to share the fruit of our theological research & reflection theological research & reflection

Edward O. de Bary, Theological Reflection: The Creation of Spiritual Power in the Information Age (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2003), p. 84.

Rationale for Rationale for Writing Writing AssignmentsAssignments

Writing contributes to Writing contributes to intelligenceintelligence by requiring by requiring analysis and synthesis of information. analysis and synthesis of information.

Writing develops Writing develops initiativeinitiative by requiring writers by requiring writers to develop a thesis statement, find research to develop a thesis statement, find research materials, and reflect upon/communicate findings materials, and reflect upon/communicate findings independentlyindependently

Writing develops Writing develops couragecourage by requiring writers to by requiring writers to give up anonymity. give up anonymity.

Writing increases the writers’ Writing increases the writers’ personal personal knowledgeknowledge. .

Writing contributes significantly to Writing contributes significantly to improvement improvement in reading skillsin reading skills..Donald H. Graves’ "Balance the Basics: Let Them Write," a 1980

Report to the Ford Foundation.

Purpose Purpose StatementStatement

A Small Group of Graduate Students, A Small Group of Graduate Students, that sets out together on the journey that sets out together on the journey of conducting scholarly, original, and of conducting scholarly, original, and targeted investigation leading to a targeted investigation leading to a well-constructed and written well-constructed and written Theological Research Paper that Theological Research Paper that measures up to the standard/canonmeasures up to the standard/canon

Standard/Canon/Measuring Stick—Standard/Canon/Measuring Stick—Official School of Theology and Official School of Theology and

Missions Style ManualsMissions Style Manuals

Research and Writing Manual. Latest Edition. Tulsa: Oral Roberts University School of Theology and Missions, 2005.

Vyhmeister, Nancy Jean. Quality Research Papers: For Students of Religion and Theology. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008.

Additional Additional TextbooksTextbooks

Turabian, Kate L. Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Research Papers, Theses, and

DissertationsDissertations. 7. 7thth ed. Chicago: The ed. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2007.University of Chicago Press, 2007.

Fee, Gordon D., and Douglas Stuart. Fee, Gordon D., and Douglas Stuart. How to How to Read the Bible for All Its WorthRead the Bible for All Its Worth. 3. 3rdrd

ed. ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.

ContentContent

Eight Steps to Producing a Research Strategy

Elements of Writing That Elements of Writing That Produce Great Research Produce Great Research PapersPapers

Eight Steps to Eight Steps to Producing a Research Producing a Research

PaperPaper

1.1. Select the TopicSelect the Topic

2.2. Research in Authoritative Research in Authoritative SummariesSummaries

3.3. Narrow the TopicNarrow the Topic

4.4. Build the Working BibliographyBuild the Working Bibliography

5.5. Take NotesTake Notes

6.6. Construct the Rough DraftConstruct the Rough Draft

7.7. Rewrite and Polish the Rough Rewrite and Polish the Rough DraftDraft

8.8. Prepare the Final CopyPrepare the Final Copy

Elements of Writing that Elements of Writing that Produce Great Research Produce Great Research

PapersPapers

Content Content ClarityClarity CohesionCohesion Order/ Order/

OrganizationOrganization Creativity/ Creativity/

OriginalityOriginality Word ChoiceWord Choice

– PrecisionPrecision– SuccinctnessSuccinctness

GrammarGrammar SpellingSpelling CapitalizationCapitalization Flow/ Flow/

TransitionsTransitions FormattingFormatting ReferencesReferences

– ChoiceChoice– Citation Citation

formattingformatting