Seminar in Theological
Research (GTHE 517)
Dr. David Hebert
E-mail: dhebert@oru.edu
(Thanks to Dr. James Tollett & Sally
Shelton for input for this presentation)
Genesis (Beginnings)
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Introduce each other (name, where from?, &
perceived giftedness to the Body of Christ)
Introduce Course Material
Tour of ORU Library with Prof. Jane Malcolm
Continue with Course Material
Consider These Statistics!
(According to The Barna Research Group)
 Only 19% of “born-again” adults in America have a biblical
worldview (6 March 2009)
 Of 601 Senior Pastors (random cross-section of Protestant
churches), only 51% have a biblical worldview (12 January
2004)
 Only 15% of those who regularly attend Christian churches
rate God as the highest priority in their life—compared to
70% of pastors who think their congregants rate God as
the highest priority (10 January 2006), and
 Among “born-again” American Christians:
 10% believe that people are reincarnated after death (21 OCT 2003)
 29% believe it is possible to communicate w/the dead (21 OCT 2003)
 53% believe a person can “earn” salvation based on good works (6
MAR 2009)
Foundational Devotion
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2 Tim 3:16/Prov 6:23 – 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”)
What is each of our own unique “member/part” or purpose in the
Body of Christ? (Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12:12-30; Eph 4:7-16; 1 Pet
4:10-11—So that each of us may know and function in it fully to
become a built up, unified and mature—pure & spotless—Body of
Christ for which He shall return at the Rapture of the Church)
(Caution!!!) Proverbs 19:2 – Rushing ahead without
knowledge is not good
2 Tim 2:15 – “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 4:1-2, 7 & 2 Tim 4:34, regarding “deceptive spirits, doctrines of demons, myths, & old
wives’ tales;” which amounts to false doctrine/heresy & the statistics
above)
Foundational Devotion (cont.)
Therefore;
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Proverbs 1:7 – 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 1:23; 23:12 – “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 20:27 – The “human spirit” is the “lamp of the Lord”
(Illuminated by the power of the Parakletos—the Comforter, One
called alongside to help, the Holy Spirit—In 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 2:6 – For the Lord will then give: wisdom,
knowledge, understanding, & protection to those who fear Him
The Purpose resides in the
Title of the Course
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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 (Strong’s)—a course
of study about God (specifically, from a Christian
& biblical view—the Triune God of the Bible)
 Research – scholarly or scientific investigation
or inquiry requiring close, careful study
(Webster)
Seminars = Group
discussion/work/collaboration+
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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)
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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.
Rationale for Writing
Assignments
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Writing contributes to intelligence by requiring analysis
and synthesis of information.
Writing develops initiative by requiring writers to
develop a thesis statement, find research materials, and
reflect upon/communicate findings independently
Writing develops courage by requiring writers to 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.
Purpose Statement
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A Small Group of Graduate Students,
that sets out together on the journey of
conducting scholarly, original, and
targeted investigation leading to a wellconstructed and written Theological
Research Paper that measures up to the
standard/canon
Standard/Canon/Measuring Stick—
Official School of Theology and Missions
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 Textbooks
Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of
Research Papers, Theses, and
Dissertations. 7th ed. Chicago: The
University of Chicago Press, 2007.
Fee, Gordon D., and Douglas Stuart. How to
Read the Bible for All Its Worth. 3rd ed.
Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.
Content
Eight Steps to Producing a
Research Strategy
Elements of Writing That Produce
Great Research Papers
Eight Steps to Producing a
Research Paper
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Select the Topic
Research in Authoritative Summaries
Narrow the Topic
Build the Working Bibliography
Take Notes
Construct the Rough Draft
Rewrite and Polish the Rough Draft
Prepare the Final Copy
Elements of Writing that Produce
Great Research Papers
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Content
Clarity
Cohesion
Order/
Organization
Creativity/
Originality
Word Choice
– Precision
– Succinctness
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Grammar
Spelling
Capitalization
Flow/
Transitions
Formatting
References
– Choice
– Citation
formatting