So, you've signed up for your theological studies; you've weathered the storm of those early weeks of langauge study (and yes, it is still all Greek to me); you've coped with your early forays into biblical exegesis; and you've been given a sketch of the history of the early church. There's been some spiritual highs and some frustrating lows. You can see perhaps just the beginnings of the benefits of the process of theological education creeping into your ministry - such precious minutes of it as you can grab, anyway.
But sensing a deadline looming, you go to the relevant webpage on your seminary website (past all those smiling photos of students from minorities) and discover that a strange beast is lying in wait for you: the theology essay. It might look something like this:
With regard to the doctrine of election, on what basis may a Christian person have personal assurance of salvation?
or this:
But sensing a deadline looming, you go to the relevant webpage on your seminary website (past all those smiling photos of students from minorities) and discover that a strange beast is lying in wait for you: the theology essay. It might look something like this:
With regard to the doctrine of election, on what basis may a Christian person have personal assurance of salvation?
or this:
What would be lost by denying that the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead was bodily?
You have been given 3,000 words in which to form an adequate response. Perhaps you are already aware of the impossibility of what is being asked, and your heart skips a beat. Whereas in, say, New Testament, there is a clear object to be studied - perhaps Paul, or John, or Colossians - here the object is an idea.
You have been given 3,000 words in which to form an adequate response. Perhaps you are already aware of the impossibility of what is being asked, and your heart skips a beat. Whereas in, say, New Testament, there is a clear object to be studied - perhaps Paul, or John, or Colossians - here the object is an idea.
And the scope for answering the question is truly enormous. You have to integrate the whole teaching of Scripture with an awareness of the critical discussions that have been taking place on the matter in recent times; the two millennia of Christian thought lies on the table, running the whole gamut from Irenaeus to Miroslav Volf; you should have an awareness of philosophical challenges to the Christian view; some regard for the great creeds and confessions of the Church; and tie it all up in a tight and cogent argument.
How can anyone even begin to contemplate such a task?
I am hoping in the next series of posts to provide an apprentice's guide to the theological essay.
Here's the proposed outline:
1. What's the point? How not to lose heart before you start
2. What is 'theology' in any case? Isn't it just a summary of the Bible?
3. What is a theology essay?
4. Choosing the question
5. Analysing the question and framing a line of argument
6. How to read theology for essays, and what to read
7. Using the Bible in doing theology
8. Creeds and confessions
9. Standing on the shoulders of giants - and slaying some dragons: interacting with the tradition of Christian thought
10. Choose your enemies carefully - the practice of respectful disagreement
11. Contemporary theology and your essay
12. The place of philosophy and other disciplines
13. Finding people to talk with - making the most of the community experience
14. Three types of theological essay
15. The art of writing well in theological essays
16. Publishing your essay - why not?
17. Turning your theological essay into a sermon
9 comments:
this looks very exciting!! Can't wait
Thank you Michael.
In my Doctrine 2 book review which you marked I began a paragraph, "The primary influences on the book’s thesis are mentioned by Ward himself as John Calvin, Francis Turretin, B. B. Warfield, and Herman Bavinck (20, 180). A lack of familiarity with theses authors prevents me commenting on how much these influences permeate, however there are very few occasions where Ward places himself in outright disagreement, and defends the authors against some of the objections against them (for example 84–85)."
Your comment in response was, "Don't admit this! :-)"
Am I correct then in assuming the thrust of these posts will be fake it 'til you make it?
pretty much.
hi
In all seriousness Izaac:
part of writing an essay, like giving a sermon, is convincing your reader that you have carefully considered the topic and have an authority to speak or write about it. The point is not to be dishonest at all, but to focus my attention on what you DO know as opposed to the things you don't.
A gift for you from the wilderness…Truth. God is precise: It is a woman Rev 12 that delivers the true word John1:1, Rev 12:5, Rev 12:13 who restores Acts 3:21 all things to the world before Christ’s return. This woman exposes the lies of Satan who has deceived the whole world Rev 12:9. This woman creates a new thing in the earth by fulfilling God's promise to Eve Gen 3:15, Jer 31:22, Isa 14:16. Moses and Elijah are together with the word Matt 17:3 they all three are in this one woman. She is like unto Moses Num 12:3. She was raised up Acts 3:22 from the Laodicean church that becomes lukewarm because they refused to hear her Rev 3:14-17. She is bold like Elijah Matt 17:11, Luke 1:17. As Elijah was alone declaring the true God to the people 1 Kings 18:22 so also her witness alone turns the hearts of the fathers to the children Mal 4:5-6 to prepare a people for the Lords return before the great and dreadful day of the Lord Matt 17:3, Luke 9:30. Those who will not hear Acts 3:23 the true word of God she now delivers to the world free of charge, as a witness, at the heel of time from the wilderness Rev 12:6 will not be allowed inside the walls of God’s coming kingdom from heaven Rev 21. This true testimony of the true value of the blood of the Lamb delivers the truth that not one child of God will be put in a hell fire no matter what their sins. It never entered the heart or mind of God to ever do such a thing Jer 7:31, Jer 19:5. God created evil Isa 45:7 to teach his children the knowledge of good and evil Rom 8:7, Gen 3:22 so that at their resurrection they become a god Matt 22:29-30, Ps 82:6 and are placed Ezek 37:26 in God’s world. Prove all things. You cannot rightly judge this unless you read all that has been written by this woman first Pro 18:13. Start here http://minigoodtale.wordpress.com
God has all power, Satan has none. God will not fail at saving anyone 1 Cor 13:8. Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess to God Rom 14:11. When they confess God is just to forgive them and cleanse them from all unrighteousness 1 John 1:9, each in their own order 1 Cor 15:23 according to their hearts of love. Many are called few are chosen to live forever in his coming New Jerusalem Rev 21 on the new earth in the new heaven, none will be lost John 17:12 except one, Satan's son the son of perdition. All of God's children will have a place Ezek 37:26 all will be given new hearts and new minds some justly will be placed in outer darkness Matt 8:12. Outer darkness is not death it is placement on another planet far from the new earth in the new heavens.
Yeah, I totally agree. I thought your marking comment was spot on.
What I took you to be saying is there is no place for humility in theological essays, right?
"What I took you to be saying is there is no place for humility in theological essays, right? "
Please. I hope there is. It's lack of humility that mars most essays let alone theological ones.
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