Revised Oct 2010
1
Guidelines for Theological and Exegetical Papers
Ohio Valley Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in America
Re: BCO 21-4
1. General Guidelines
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
Length: between 10 and 20 pages, double-spaced
The pages should be numbered
The paper should have a header with the candidate’s name in the upper
left hand corner of each page.
There should be a Bibliography at the end, with at least 6 references from
printed (not internet) material
There must be an average of two footnotes per page, though not
necessarily that many quotations.
Papers with spelling and/or grammatical errors will be returned for
correction before being considered by the committee.
Examinations for licensure and ordination are undertaken, in part, to
determine whether a candidate is “apt to teach” (1 Tim 3:2). With respect
to papers, this means that arguments made referring to Greek or Hebrew
grammar (as well as theological terms) should be sufficiently explained so
that those without seminary training can clearly understand the point being
made.
Use the latest editions of either Turrabian, MLA, or The Chicago Manual
of Style. Format and style should be consistent throughout the paper.
Papers must be submitted 60 days prior to the committee meeting where
they will be examined.
2. Theological Paper
According to BCO 21-4b, one of the requirements for ordination is the submission of a
thesis or theological paper. However, because not every candidate has had the same
training when it comes to the fulfilling of this requirement, the following guidelines have
been adopted as the standard against which the Ohio Valley Presbytery will evaluate all
submissions.
A.
Your paper can either be extensive or intensive.
1. An extensive paper is dealing with a subject in broad strokes. For example,
you might want to write an “overview” of current evangelical thought on the
atonement.
2. An intensive paper has a much more narrow focus such as “Answering
Objections to Limited Atonement: 5 Key Objections and their Refutation.”
Revised Oct 2010
B.
2
Each theological paper should have three “faces”: a critical, exegetical and
practical face. It is not necessary that each “face” be given equal proportion in
your paper.
1.
Critical Face: This is your interaction with what is out there. What have
other Christians and/or non-Christians said about your topic?
2.
Exegetical Face: This is your idea as to how the “problem/topic” ought to
be dealt with as a result of sound biblical exegesis.
3.
Practical Face: This is how your study ought to be applied to life and
ministry.
3. Exegetical Paper
According to BCO 21-4b, one of the requirements for ordination is the submission of an
exegetical paper. However, because not every candidate has had the same training when
it comes to the fulfilling of this requirement, the following guidelines have been adopted
as the standard against which the Ohio Valley Presbytery will evaluate all submissions.
The goal of an exegetical paper is representing the text of scripture accurately. An
exegetical paper therefore must formulate the main points of the passage, note what is
problematical in the passage, identify key words or concepts, list all other historical,
literary, and theological problems in the text, prepare a tentative outline for the passage in
keeping with the "overall context," refer to Biblical passages where ideas similar to those
found in the text appear, and record in a set of notes any wider implications the text may
have.1
A. The Contents of an Exegetical Paper – In light of what constitutes an exegetical
paper, the following should be reflected in the candidate's work:2
1. A Preface which introduces the reader to the text and raises a question that the
text will address.
2. A Translation of the text (Textual Analysis). This should include a copy of the
Biblical text in question in its original language and an annotated translation
defending the candidate's choice of translation.
3. An analysis of the historical setting of the passage (Historical Analysis). Here,
particular attention should be paid to the time and place in which the passage
1
Suggested by Otto Kaiser and Werner Georg Jummel, Exegetical method: A Student's
Handbook.
2
This section is taken largely from Douglas Stuart's Old Testament Exegesis and Walter Kaiser's
Toward An Exegetical Theology.
Revised Oct 2010
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was written, its sources, if any, the events, dates, persons, and places mentioned
or implied in the text, and whatever else aids the reader in understanding the
historical context of the passage. The goal in this section is the writing of a
chronological narrative of pertinent events, revealing where possible the nature
and interconnection of the events surrounding and included in the text.
4. An analysis of the author of the passage together with the grammar, choice of
words, and the meaning of the words of the particular passage (Literary
Analysis). This section should include not only an analysis of the author, but
also an outline of the text, and an analysis of the words used in the original as to
their form, use, and purpose in the text.
5. An explanation of what the passage contributes to the "theology" of Scripture
(Theological Analysis). This section seeks to determine how the text comports
with its narrow and broad context, where the text is cited or alluded to elsewhere
in scripture, and what specific concerns the text raises in the context of
redemptive history.
6. A conclusion in which the question raised in the preface is briefly shown to be
addressed by the passage just analyzed.
Conclusion
Any submission which falls below the above standards for theological or exegetical
papers will be returned with the request for further study on the part of the candidate.
May the Lord bless you in your continued work.