Possible Research Paper Topics
Here are a few crucial things to remember when researching for and writing your paper:
 Remember that these are theological papers; therefore you should not spend your whole paper
interpreting a couple Scripture passages. Also, do not fill your paper with biblical quotations.
Most often a biblical reference will suffice for a biblical quotation; therefore, biblical
quotations should be relegated to the footnotes (or left out) unless they are substantial for your
argument. Lastly, please remember that theology is more than doing a word study on a topic
mentioned in the Bible.
 One of the best ways to do theology is through dialogue. That is, discuss the issue you want to
address by critiquing/conversing with two or more theologians whose views differ from each
other. This will cause you to think more deeply and critically, rather than possibly turning your
brain off and simply finding a theologian whom you agree with in everything she/he says.
Dialoguing with theologians whom you both agree and disagree with will make you understand
the issues more clearly and, therefore, sharpen your own understanding and faith.
 These are only suggested topics and readings to get you started. You do not have to use these
titles or even these readings, but you are welcome to use them.
 The questions given after the topics are not outlines for your paper and would likely be poor
outlines.
 Make sure you clearly present your thesis statement (be specific, don’t generalize) and that
your whole paper is somehow working to support your thesis (this includes considering ideas
opposed to your thesis).
 I welcome the opportunity to discuss your paper with you.
1. Theological Heresy Paper
Choose one heresy that is discussed in your textbook. Consider the following questions (and
others you find appropriate): What is this heresy? When did this heresy arise in history? Why did
the heretics make this assertion? Why did the Church at that time label this belief a heresy? What
theological issues are at stake/ what are some of the theological implications of this heresy?
What are the orthodox beliefs that contrast with this heresy?
2. Historical Theology Paper
Doctrine/theology always arises in a historical context. Choose a time period/person and a
doctrine to study. Discuss (among other relevant issues): Who were some of the key players?
What were/are the theological issues discussed/at stake and how were they resolved? What
problems made this/these theologian(s) address this issue? What is your own take on this
theological issue?
3. Theological Traditions Paper
Choose a topic and compare and contrast two theological traditions on the topic (e.g., Roman
Catholics and Baptists on Baptism). Be sure you clearly describe each theological position and
the theological reasons for it. You should also make clear what your own position is on the
theological issue under discussion.
4. A General Theological Research Paper or a Theological Response Paper
Choose one of the paper topics below. You may wish to start with my suggested reading and
focus on the broad issue, creating your own dialogue and thesis, or you may wish to make your
paper a response to one of the readings that are listed with a * . If you do a response paper, be
sure to clearly describe the position you are critiquing before you critique it (both strengths and
weaknesses).
1
CHURCH
-“Models of the Church” –Is there one appropriate structure for the Church?
-Start with M. Volf, After His Likeness (* ch 6).
-“The Trinitarian Basis for Christian Mission” –Why do mission? What is the goal?, etc.
-Start with J. Thompson, ch 4 “The Triune God and Mission” in his Modern Trinitarian
Perspectives.
JESUS
-“Spirit Christology” – How does Jesus’ relationship with the Spirit affect one’s Christology?
What implications might it have for Christian living?
-Start with *C. Pinnock, ch 3 “Spirit and Christology” in his Flame of Love.
-“Kenotic Christology” – What are some of the implications that Jesus was truly God and
yet truly human? Can we speak of a ‘kenosis’ of God?
-Start with R. Aldwinckle, ch 7 “Kenosis or Divine Self Limitation” in his More Than
Man.
SALVATION
-“Interpreting the Meaning of the Cross” – What did the cross achieve? Explore and critique one
of the atonement theories (moral influence, penal substitution/satisfaction, Christ the
Victor). -Start with H. Boersma, Violence, Hospitality, and the Cross or G. Aulén,
Christus Victor.
-“Who does God Elect?” (or something else from TULIP)
-Start with Why I am not an Arminian or Why I am not a Calvinist.
ESCHATOLOGY
-“When Will Jesus Return?” –Explore the significance of either the rapture or millenium
debates. What significance do they have? What factors lead to the various interpretations
regarding this idea (or one interpretation of it)?
-Start with (* any chapter) The Millennium: Four Views, or Three Views on the
Millennium or C. C. Hill, “Appendix: Not Left Behind” in his In God’s Time: The Bible
and the Future.
-“Is Hell Eternal?” –What is the nature of hell? What are the theological or practical
implications?
-Start with W. Crockett (ed., * any chapter), For Views on Hell.
5. Contemporary/Pastoral Theological Issues Paper
Choose one of the topics below. You may wish to start with my suggested reading and focus on
the broad issue creating your own dialogue and thesis, or you may wish to make your paper a
response to one of the readings that are listed with a *. Begin by describing what theological
issues are at stake and how this is the case (e.g., soteriology, doctrine of God, etc.). In your
paper you will likely want to include various proposals that might be possible and how/why you
would critique or agree with these possible proposals. You should conclude with (and your thesis
statement should be) your own theological response to this issue.
SALVATION
-“Can Babies Be ‘Saved’?” –How have theologians discussed infant salvation? What
doctrines are important in this discussion?
-Start with *T. Tiessen, “Can Infants be Saved?” ch 10 in his Who Can be Saved?.
2
-“Christ and the Other Religions” –Is it possible to be saved by Christ but be a part of
another religion? -Start with Okholm and Phillips (ed., * any chapter), Four View on
Salvation in a Pluralistic World.
“The Cross and Violence.” –Does the central place that the cross plays in Christian
soteriology (i.e., we are saved through violence) perpetuate violence in society or in the
Christian community? What role does violence have in salvation?
-Start with H. Boersma, Violence, Hospitality, and the Cross and M. Volf, Exclusion and
Embrace.
CHURCH
-“Theological Reasons For/Against the Ordination of Women”-What are the theological
arguments people make in favor of or against the ordination of women? Evaluate and
critique these, making clear which side of the debate you fall on and why.
-There are now at least 3 ‘views’ books on women in ministry. (be careful that your paper
remains a theology paper)
ESCHATOLOGY
-“A Theological Evaluation of the Left Behind Series” -Begin by outlining the theology
implicit/explicit in the Left Behind books. Critique this theology (or one aspect of the
theologies) using theological resources and arguments.
-there are a number of articles/essays written responding to these books, but do not
neglect the books that provide the substance of any critique; i.e., works on eschatology in
general.
LAST WORDS:1
-Do not use no double negative.
-Verbs has to agree with their subjects.
-Make each pronoun agree with their antecedent.
-Do not write run on sentences since they are hard to follow and understand for those who are
reading your thoughts and seeking to gain from your insights born of experience and careful
reflection in this academic endeavor we rightfully treasure highly, as well we should.
-About them sentence fragments.
-Ones apostrophe's should be used correctly.
-Don't use contractions in a formal essay.
-Please sure be to grammar check.
-Corect speling iz eesencheal. Withot it yure righting iz hard to reed and givs the empresheeon
that yu do not no wat yu ar doeeng.
-Do not trust your spelling checker, even if you think: “It plane lee marks four my revue miss
steaks aye can knot sea. Weather eye am wrong oar write, it shows me strait a weigh.” (MSWord
did not correct any of these words.)
1
Adopted from and quoting Prof. James Peterson of McMaster Divinity College (never forget to footnote your
source, even if you don’t quote them word for word!)
3