Seminar in Theological Research (GTHE 517)

1
Seminar in Theological Research (GTHE 517)

• Prof. David Hebert
• E-mail dhebert_at_oru.edu Office Hours Mon. 1-3
  pm Tue. 1-330 pm
• (Thanks to Dr. James Tollett Sally Shelton for
  input for this presentation)

2
Genesis (Beginnings)

• Introduce each other (name, where from?, field of
  study at the Seminary, and perceived giftedness
  to the Body of Christ)
• Wisdom for the day (brief devotional)
• Pray (the Word and in the Spirit)
• Outline Course (purpose, method and content)
• Form Groups

3

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

• Only 9 of born-again adults in America have a
  biblical worldview (January 12, 2004)
• Only 50 of those associated with the Christian
  faith rate themselves as absolutely committed
  to it (March 19, 2004)
• Of 601 Senior Pastors (a random cross-section of
  Protestant churches), only 51 have a biblical
  worldview (January 12, 2004), and
• Among born-again American Christians
• 10 believe that people are reincarnated after
  death
• 29 believe it is possible to communicate with
  the dead
• 50 believe a person can earn salvation based
  on good works
• (October 21, 2003)

4
Foundational Devotion

• 2 Tim 316/Prov 623 Scripture is
  God-breathed profitable for Teaching,
  Reproof, Correction, Training/Instruction in
  Righteousness (Scripture is foundational and
  applies to all areas of our Christian lives to
  help keep us on the right way/path)
• Psalm 1 Delight in the law of the Lord/meditate
  on it constantly and be planted like a tree by
  the streams of living water (Feed the spiritbe
  rooted in and stay connected to God by spending
  time alone with HimQuiet Time of reading,
  studying and meditating on the Word with prayer)
• What is each of our own unique member/part or
  purpose in the Body of Christ? (Rom 123-8 1 Cor
  1212-30 Eph 47-16 1 Pet 410-11So that each
  of us may know and function in it fully to become
  a built up, unified and maturepure
  spotlessBody of Christ for which He shall return
  at the Rapture of the Church)
• (Caution!!!) Proverbs 192 Rushing ahead
  without knowledge is not good

5
Foundational Devotion (cont.)Therefore

• 2 Tim 215 Earnestly Study to show yourself
  approved to 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 41-2,
  7 2 Tim 43-4, regarding deceptive spirits,
  doctrines of demons, myths, old wives tales
  which amounts to false doctrine/heresy the
  statistics above)
• Proverbs 17 The fear of the Lord is the
  beginning of knowledge (The reverent, awestruck,
  holy respect for The Triune God of the Universe
  should be our attitude)
• Proverbs 123 2312 Turn back at my warning
  behold, I 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 words of
  knowledge (Maintain a tender heart and a
  teachable soul)
• Proverbs 2027 The human spirit is the lamp
  of the Lord (Illuminated by the power of the
  Parakletosthe Comforter, One called alongside to
  help, the Holy SpiritIn our spirit, listen to
  the Holy Spirit and pray in the Holy Spirit)
• If we fulfill our part of this Conditional
  Promise then the result will be Proverbs 26
  For the Lord will then give wisdom, knowledge,
  understanding, protection to those who fear Him
• Let us pray!

6
The Purpose resides in the Title of the Course

• Seminar A small group of students in Graduate
  School engaged in original research or intensive
  study (Webster)
• Theological from Theos, meaning God in Greek
  and ology, from lego or logos in Greek, meaning
  to relate in words or something said (including
  the thought and idea) by impl., a topic, subject
  or discourse (Strongs)a course of study about
  God (specifically, from a Christian biblical
  viewthe Triune God of the Bible)
• Research scholarly or scientific investigation
  or inquiry requiring close, careful study
  (Webster)

7
Seminars Group discussion/work/collaboration

• Provide a safe environment for learning
• Provide illumination and insight
• Provide enhancement value added
• something . . . that has been added to a
  product . . . to warrant a markup in the retail
  price (Random House Unabridged Dictionary)
• Provide opportunities to think together, to share
  the fruit of our 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.
8

Rationale for Writing Assignments

• Writing contributes to intelligence by requiring
  analysis and synthesis of information.
• Writing develops initiative by requiring writers
  to develop a thesis, find research materials, and
  reflect upon and communicate findings
  independently
• Writing develops courage by requiring that
  writers give up anonymity.
• Writing increases the writers personal
  knowledge.
• Writing contributes significantly to improvement
  in reading skills.

Donald H. Graves "Balance the Basics Let Them
Write," a 1980 Report to the Ford Foundation.
9
Purpose Statement

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

10
Standard/Canon/Measuring StickOfficial School of
Theology and Missions Style Manuals
Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of
Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 7th
ed. Chicago The University of Chicago Press,
2007. Research and Writing Manual Latest
Edition. Tulsa Oral Roberts University School
of Theology and Missions, 2005.
11
Additional Textbooks

• Vyhmeister, Nancy Jean. Quality Research Papers
  For Students of Religion and Theology. 2nd ed.
  Grand Rapids Zondervan, 2008.
• Fee, Gordon D., and Douglas Stuart. How to Read
  the Bible for All Its Worth. 3rd ed. Grand
  Rapids Zondervan, 2003.

12
From the Purpose flows the Method

• The need for Small Groups of 4 preferably
  (Leader, Observer, Encourager, Recorder) for
  this semesters journey
• Using Rom 123-8 1 Cor 1212-27 1 Pet 410-11
  (Body of Christ Giftedness) as a Model, 1 Cor 13
  Rom 129-16 (Love) as the Motivation/Action,
  1 Cor 1426 Eph 43-16 (Unity of the Spirit,
  Bond of Peace of the Mature Body of Christ) as
  the Goal
• General Format (subject to modification as
  necessary) for the Seminar will be
• 30 minutesMeet in Groups to pray and have
  devotion
• 30 minutesLecture on Content Topic for the day
• 15 minutesBreak
• 75 minutesFinish Lecture or adjourn to the
  Library for Research, with break(s) as
  necessary

13
Small Group Cooperative Learning

• Based on four elements
• Positive Interdependence
• Face-to-face Interaction
• Individual Accountability Evaluation
• Appropriate use of interpersonal, small-group
  skills
• Contributing ideas, asking questions, expressing
  feelings, actively listening, expressing
  support/encouragement, summarizing, checking for
  understanding, relieving tension, and giving
  direction
• All these skills may be broken down into four
  positions within the Group (which are rotated
  each class meeting)

14
Four Members of the Group

• Leader (Responsible for Summarizing Ideas,
  Checking for understanding, Relieving tension,
  Giving direction, Asking questions, Contributing
  ideas, Expressing feelings, Actively listening,
  and Expressing support/encouragement)
• Observer (Responsible for Monitoring
  Evaluating how well the Group is doing, Actively
  listening, Contributing ideas, Asking questions,
  Expressing feelings, and Expressing
  support/encouragement)
• Recorder (Responsible for Recording the Groups
  work, Keeping track of time, Actively listening,
  Contributing ideas, Asking questions, Expressing
  feelings, and Expressing support/encouragement)
• Encourager/Researcher/Runner (Responsible for
  Expressing support encouragement, Gathering
  materials, Communicating with other Groups
  Professor as necessary, Contributing ideas,
  Asking questions, Expressing feelings, and
  Actively listening)
• From Johnson, Johnson, Johnson-Holubec, and Roys
  Circles of Learning Cooperation in the Classroom
  (Association for Supervision and Curriculum
  Development, 1984), 8, 25, 30-1, 35.

15
Five Members of the Group

• Leader (Responsible for Summarizing Ideas,
  Checking for understanding, Relieving tension,
  Giving direction, Asking questions, Contributing
  ideas, Expressing feelings, Actively listening,
  and Expressing support/encouragement)
• Observer (Responsible for Monitoring
  Evaluating how well the Group is doing, Actively
  listening, Contributing ideas, Asking questions,
  Expressing feelings, and Expressing
  support/encouragement)
• Recorder (Responsible for Recording the Groups
  work, Keeping track of time, Actively listening,
  Contributing ideas, Asking questions, Expressing
  feelings, and Expressing support/encouragement)
• Encourager (Responsible for Expressing support/
  encouragement, Contributing ideas, Asking
  questions, Expressing feelings, and Actively
  listening)
• Researcher/Runner (Responsible for Gathering
  materials, Communicating with other Groups
  Professor as necessary,) Contributing ideas,
  Asking questions, Expressing feelings, Actively
  listening, and Expressing support/encouragement
• From Johnson, Johnson, Johnson-Holubec, and Roys
  Circles of Learning Cooperation in the Classroom
  (Association for Supervision and Curriculum
  Development, 1984), 8, 25, 30-1, 35.

16

17

18
T E A M

• T - Together
• E - Everyone
• A - Accomplishes
• M - More

19
Following the Method, remains the Content
Course Assignments Content
Eight Steps to Producing a Research Strategy
Elements of Writing That Produce Great Research
Papers
20

Eight Steps to Producing a Research Paper

1. Select the Topic
2. Research in Authoritative Summaries
3. Narrow the Topic
4. Build the Working Bibliography
5. Take Notes
6. Construct the Rough Draft
7. Rewrite and Polish the Rough Draft
8. Prepare the Final Copy

21

Step ONE Select the Topic

• Topics are usually broad in scope and may be
  found through your theological reading, asking
  questions of yourself, peers and professors, and
  in an area which you have an avid interest and
  would like to pursue further while at the
  Seminary.
• Select a topic that will hold your interest
  throughout the entire process, and if you plan to
  do a Thesis for your degree, one that relates to
  your proposed Thesis topic.
• Begin doing preliminary research to make sure the
  topic is a viable one.

22

Elements of Writing that Produce Great Research
Papers

• Content
• Clarity
• Cohesion
• Order/ Organization
• Creativity/ Originality
• Word Choice
• Precision
• Succinctness

• Grammar
• Spelling
• Capitalization
• Flow/ Transitions
• Formatting
• References
• Choice
• Citation formatting

23
Course Assignments

Group Participation - 20 Annotated
Bibliography - 10 Book Review on Fee/Stuart -
10 Exegetical Exercise - 10 Research
Paper - 40 Final Exam - 10 Take a break
return to form Groups