Seminar in Theological Seminar in Theological Research (GTHE 517)Research (GTHE 517)

Prof. David HebertProf. David Hebert

E-mail: E-mail: dhebert@oru.edu; Office ; Office Hours: Mon. 1-3 pm; Tue. 1-3:30 Hours: Mon. 1-3 pm; Tue. 1-3:30 pmpm

(Thanks to Dr. James Tollett & Sally (Thanks to Dr. James Tollett & Sally Shelton for input for this Shelton for input for this presentation)presentation)

Genesis Genesis (Beginnings)(Beginnings)

Introduce each other (name, where Introduce each other (name, where from?, field of study at the Seminary, and from?, field of study at the Seminary, and perceived giftedness to the Body of perceived giftedness to the Body of Christ)Christ)

Wisdom for the day (brief devotional) Wisdom for the day (brief devotional) Pray (the Word and in the Spirit)Pray (the Word and in the Spirit) Outline Course (purpose, method and Outline Course (purpose, method and

content)content) Form GroupsForm Groups

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

Only 9% of “born-again” adults in America Only 9% of “born-again” adults in America have a biblical worldview (January 12, 2004)have a biblical worldview (January 12, 2004)

Only 50% of those associated with the Only 50% of those associated with the Christian faith rate themselves as “absolutely Christian faith rate themselves as “absolutely committed” to it (March 19, 2004)committed” to it (March 19, 2004)

Of 601 Senior Pastors (a random cross-section Of 601 Senior Pastors (a random cross-section of Protestant churches), only 51% have a of Protestant churches), only 51% have a biblical worldview (January 12, 2004), andbiblical worldview (January 12, 2004), and

Among “born-again” American Christians:Among “born-again” American Christians: 10% believe that people are reincarnated after death10% believe that people are reincarnated after death 29% believe it is possible to communicate with the 29% believe it is possible to communicate with the

deaddead 50% believe a person can “earn” salvation based on 50% believe a person can “earn” salvation based on

good worksgood works(October 21, 2003)(October 21, 2003)

Foundational Foundational DevotionDevotion

2 Tim 3:16/Prov 6:232 Tim 3:16/Prov 6:23 – – Scripture is “God-breathed” & Scripture is “God-breathed” & profitable for: Teaching, Reproof, Correction, profitable for: Teaching, Reproof, Correction, Training/Instruction in RighteousnessTraining/Instruction in Righteousness (Scripture is (Scripture is foundational and applies to all areas of our Christian lives foundational and applies to all areas of our Christian lives to help keep us on the “right way/path”)to help keep us on the “right way/path”)

Psalm 1Psalm 1 – Delight in the law of the Lord/meditate on it – Delight in the law of the Lord/meditate on it constantly and be planted like a tree by the streams of constantly and be planted like a tree by the streams of living water living water (Feed the spirit—be rooted in and stay (Feed the spirit—be rooted in and stay connected to God by spending time alone with Him—Quiet connected to God by spending time alone with Him—Quiet Time of reading, studying and meditating on the Word with Time of reading, studying and meditating on the Word with prayer)prayer)

What is each of our own unique “member/part” or purpose What is each of our own unique “member/part” or purpose in the Body of Christ? in the Body of Christ? ((Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12:12-30; Eph Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12:12-30; Eph 4:7-16; 14:7-16; 1 Pet 4:10-11Pet 4:10-11—So that each of us may know and —So that each of us may know and function in it fully to become a built up, unified and maturefunction in it fully to become a built up, unified and mature—pure & spotless—Body of Christ for which He shall return —pure & spotless—Body of Christ for which He shall return at the Rapture of the Church)at the Rapture of the Church)

((Caution!!!Caution!!!) ) Proverbs 19:2Proverbs 19:2 – Rushing ahead without – Rushing ahead without knowledge is not goodknowledge is not good

Foundational Devotion Foundational Devotion (cont.)(cont.)

Therefore;Therefore; 2 Tim 2:152 Tim 2:15 – “Earnestly Study” to show yourself approved to God – “Earnestly Study” to show yourself approved to God

as a workman able to “rightly divide the Word of Truth” 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, (especially in the times in which we live & in light of 1 Tim 4:1-2, 7 & 2 Tim 4:3-4, regarding “deceptive spirits, doctrines of 7 & 2 Tim 4:3-4, regarding “deceptive spirits, doctrines of demons, myths, & old wives’ tales;” which amounts to false demons, myths, & old wives’ tales;” which amounts to false doctrine/heresy & the statistics above)doctrine/heresy & the statistics above)

Proverbs 1:7Proverbs 1:7 – The “ – The “fear of the Lordfear of the Lord” is the beginning of ” is the beginning of knowledge knowledge (The reverent, awestruck, holy respect for The Triune (The reverent, awestruck, holy respect for The Triune God of the Universe should be our attitude)God of the Universe should be our attitude)

Proverbs 1:23; 23:12Proverbs 1:23; 23:12 – “Turn back at my warning; behold, I will – “Turn back at my warning; behold, I will pour out my Spirit to you; I will make my words known to you” 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 and “Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge” knowledge” (Maintain a tender heart and a teachable soul)(Maintain a tender heart and a teachable soul)

Proverbs 20:27Proverbs 20:27 – The “human spirit” is the “lamp of the Lord” – The “human spirit” is the “lamp of the Lord” (Illuminated by the power of the (Illuminated by the power of the ParakletosParakletos—the Comforter, One —the Comforter, One called alongside to help, the Holy Spirit—In our spirit, called alongside to help, the Holy Spirit—In our spirit, listen to the listen to the Holy Spirit and pray in the Holy Spirit)Holy Spirit and pray in the Holy Spirit)

IfIf we fulfill our part of this we fulfill our part of this Conditional PromiseConditional Promise; ; thenthen the result the result will be: will be: Proverbs 2:6Proverbs 2:6 – For the Lord will then give: wisdom, – For the Lord will then give: wisdom, knowledge, understanding, & protection to those who fear Himknowledge, understanding, & protection to those who fear Him

Let us pray!Let us pray!

The Purpose resides in the The Purpose resides in the Title of the CourseTitle of the Course

SeminarSeminar – A small group of students in – A small group of students in Graduate School engaged in original Graduate School engaged in original research or intensive study (Webster)research or intensive study (Webster)

TheologicalTheological – from “ – from “TheosTheos,” meaning ,” meaning God in Greek and “ology,” from God in Greek and “ology,” from legolego or or logoslogos in Greek, meaning to relate in words in Greek, meaning to relate in words or something said (including the thought or something said (including the thought and idea); by impl., a topic, subject or and idea); by impl., a topic, subject or discourse (Strong’s)—a course of study discourse (Strong’s)—a course of study about God (specifically, from a Christian & about God (specifically, from a Christian & biblical view—the Triune God of the Bible)biblical view—the Triune God of the Bible)

ResearchResearch – scholarly or scientific – scholarly or scientific investigation or inquiry requiring close, investigation or inquiry requiring close, careful study (Webster)careful study (Webster)

SeminarsSeminars = Group = Group discussion/work/collaborationdiscussion/work/collaboration

++

Provide a Provide a safesafe environment for environment for learninglearning

Provide illumination and Provide illumination and insightinsight Provide enhancement: Provide enhancement: value addedvalue added

= = “something . . . that has been added to a “something . . . that has been added to a product . . . to warrant a markup in the retail product . . . to warrant a markup in the retail price”price” ((Random House Unabridged Random House Unabridged DictionaryDictionary))

Provide opportunities to Provide opportunities to think think togethertogether, to share the fruit of our , to share the fruit of our theological research & reflection 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 Rationale for Writing Writing AssignmentsAssignments

Writing contributes to Writing contributes to intelligenceintelligence by requiring by requiring analysis and synthesis of information. analysis and synthesis of information.

Writing develops Writing develops initiativeinitiative by requiring writers by requiring writers to develop a thesis, find research materials, and to develop a thesis, find research materials, and reflect upon and communicate findings reflect upon and communicate findings independentlyindependently

Writing develops Writing develops couragecourage by requiring that by requiring that writers give up anonymity. writers give up anonymity.

Writing increases the writers’ Writing increases the writers’ personal personal knowledgeknowledge. .

Writing contributes significantly to Writing contributes significantly to improvement improvement in reading skillsin reading skills..Donald H. Graves’ "Balance the Basics: Let Them Write," a 1980

Report to the Ford Foundation.

Purpose Purpose StatementStatement

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

Standard/Canon/Measuring Stick—Standard/Canon/Measuring Stick—Official School of Theology and Official School of Theology and

Missions Style ManualsMissions 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.

Additional Additional TextbooksTextbooks

Vyhmeister, Nancy Jean. Vyhmeister, Nancy Jean. Quality Research Quality Research Papers: For Students of Religion and Papers: For Students of Religion and TheologyTheology. 2. 2ndnd ed. Grand Rapids: ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008.Zondervan, 2008.

Fee, Gordon D., and Douglas Stuart. Fee, Gordon D., and Douglas Stuart. How to How to Read the Bible for All Its WorthRead the Bible for All Its Worth. 3. 3rdrd

ed. ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.

From the Purpose flows the From the Purpose flows the MethodMethod

The need for Small Groups of 4 preferablyThe need for Small Groups of 4 preferably (Leader, (Leader, Observer, Encourager, & Recorder) Observer, Encourager, & Recorder) for this semester’s for this semester’s journeyjourney

Using Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12:12-27; & 1 Pet 4:10-11Using Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12:12-27; & 1 Pet 4:10-11 ((Body of Christ GiftednessBody of Christ Giftedness) ) as aas a ModelModel, , 1 Cor 13 & 1 Cor 13 & Rom 12:9-16Rom 12:9-16 ( (LoveLove) ) as the as the Motivation/ActionMotivation/Action, , & 1 & 1 Cor 14:26 & Eph 4:3-16Cor 14:26 & Eph 4:3-16 ( (Unity of the Spirit, Bond ofUnity of the Spirit, Bond of Peace of the Mature Body of ChristPeace of the Mature Body of Christ)) as the as the GoalGoal

General FormatGeneral Format (subject to modification as necessary) (subject to modification as necessary) for the Seminar will be:for the Seminar will be:

30 minutes—Meet in Groups to pray and have devotion30 minutes—Meet in Groups to pray and have devotion 30 minutes—Lecture on Content Topic for the day30 minutes—Lecture on Content Topic for the day 15 minutes—Break15 minutes—Break 75 minutes—Finish Lecture or adjourn to the Library for 75 minutes—Finish Lecture or adjourn to the Library for

Research,Research, with break(s) as necessarywith break(s) as necessary

Small Group Cooperative Small Group Cooperative LearningLearning

Based on Based on four elementsfour elements:: Positive InterdependencePositive Interdependence Face-to-face InteractionFace-to-face Interaction Individual AccountabilityIndividual Accountability & Evaluation& Evaluation Appropriate use of interpersonal, small-group Appropriate use of interpersonal, small-group

skillsskills Contributing ideas, asking questions, expressing Contributing ideas, asking questions, expressing

feelings, actively listening, expressing feelings, actively listening, expressing support/encouragement, summarizing, checking for support/encouragement, summarizing, checking for understanding, relieving tension, and giving directionunderstanding, relieving tension, and giving direction

All these skills may be broken down into four positions All these skills may be broken down into four positions within the Group (which are rotated each class within the Group (which are rotated each class meeting): meeting):

Four Members of the Four Members of the GroupGroup

LeaderLeader ((Responsible for: Summarizing Ideas, Checking for Responsible for: Summarizing Ideas, Checking for understanding, Relieving tension, Giving direction, Asking understanding, Relieving tension, Giving direction, Asking questionsquestions,, Contributing ideas, Expressing feelings, Actively listening, and Contributing ideas, Expressing feelings, Actively listening, and Expressing support/encouragement)Expressing support/encouragement)

ObserverObserver (Responsible for: Monitoring & Evaluating how (Responsible for: Monitoring & Evaluating how well the Group is doingwell the Group is doing,, Actively listening, Contributing ideas, Asking Actively listening, Contributing ideas, Asking questions, Expressing feelings, and Expressing support/encouragement)questions, Expressing feelings, and Expressing support/encouragement)

RecorderRecorder (Responsible for: Recording the Group’s work, (Responsible for: Recording the Group’s work, Keeping track of time,Keeping track of time, Actively listening, Contributing ideas, Asking Actively listening, Contributing ideas, Asking questions, Expressing feelings, and Expressing support/encouragement)questions, Expressing feelings, and Expressing support/encouragement)

Encourager/Researcher/RunnerEncourager/Researcher/Runner (Responsible for: (Responsible for: Expressing support & encouragement, Gathering materials, Expressing support & encouragement, Gathering materials, Communicating with other Groups & Professor as necessary,Communicating with other Groups & Professor as necessary,

Contributing ideas, Asking questions, Expressing feelings, and Actively Contributing ideas, Asking questions, Expressing feelings, and Actively listening)listening)

From Johnson, Johnson, Johnson-Holubec, and Roy’s Circles of Learning: Cooperation in the Classroom (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 1984), 8, 25, 30-1, 35.

Five Members of the Five Members of the GroupGroup

LeaderLeader (Responsible for: Summarizing Ideas, Checking for (Responsible for: Summarizing Ideas, Checking for understanding, Relieving tension, Giving direction, Asking understanding, Relieving tension, Giving direction, Asking questionsquestions,, Contributing ideas, Expressing feelings, Actively listening, and Contributing ideas, Expressing feelings, Actively listening, and Expressing support/encouragementExpressing support/encouragement))

ObserverObserver (Responsible for: Monitoring & Evaluating how (Responsible for: Monitoring & Evaluating how well the Group is doingwell the Group is doing,, Actively listening, Contributing ideas, Asking Actively listening, Contributing ideas, Asking questions, Expressing feelings, and Expressing support/encouragement)questions, Expressing feelings, and Expressing support/encouragement)

RecorderRecorder (Responsible for: Recording the Group’s work, (Responsible for: Recording the Group’s work, Keeping track of timeKeeping track of time,, Actively listening, Contributing ideas, Asking Actively listening, Contributing ideas, Asking questions, Expressing feelings, and Expressing support/encouragement)questions, Expressing feelings, and Expressing support/encouragement)

EncouragerEncourager (Responsible for: Expressing support/ (Responsible for: Expressing support/ encouragementencouragement,, Contributing ideas, Asking questions, Expressing feelings, Contributing ideas, Asking questions, Expressing feelings, and Actively listeningand Actively listening))

Researcher/RunnerResearcher/Runner (Responsible for: Gathering (Responsible for: Gathering materials, Communicating with other Groups & Professor as materials, Communicating with other Groups & Professor as necessarynecessary,,) ) Contributing ideas, Asking questions, Expressing feelings, Contributing ideas, Asking questions, Expressing feelings, Actively listening, and Expressing support/encouragementActively listening, and Expressing support/encouragement

From Johnson, Johnson, Johnson-Holubec, and Roy’s Circles of Learning: Cooperation in the Classroom (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 1984), 8, 25, 30-1, 35.

TT EE AA MM

TT -- TogetherTogether

EE -- EveryoneEveryone

AA -- AccomplishesAccomplishes

MM -- MoreMore

Following the Method, remains Following the Method, remains the Content & Course the Content & Course Assignments – Assignments –

ContentContent

Eight Steps to Producing a Research Strategy

Elements of Writing That Elements of Writing That Produce Great Research Produce Great Research PapersPapers

Eight Steps to Eight Steps to Producing a Research Producing a Research

PaperPaper

1.1. Select the TopicSelect the Topic

2.2. Research in Authoritative Research in Authoritative SummariesSummaries

3.3. Narrow the TopicNarrow the Topic

4.4. Build the Working BibliographyBuild the Working Bibliography

5.5. Take NotesTake Notes

6.6. Construct the Rough DraftConstruct the Rough Draft

7.7. Rewrite and Polish the Rough Rewrite and Polish the Rough DraftDraft

8.8. Prepare the Final CopyPrepare the Final Copy

Step ONE: Select the Step ONE: Select the TopicTopic

Topics are usually broad in scope and may be Topics are usually broad in scope and may be found through your theological reading, found through your theological reading, asking questions of yourself, peers and asking questions of yourself, peers and professors, and in an area which you have an professors, and in an area which you have an avid interest and would like to pursue further avid interest and would like to pursue further while at the Seminary.while at the Seminary.

Select a topic that will hold your interest Select a topic that will hold your interest throughout the entire process, and if you plan throughout the entire process, and if you plan to do a Thesis for your degree, one that to do a Thesis for your degree, one that relates to your proposed Thesis topic.relates to your proposed Thesis topic.

Begin doing preliminary research to make Begin doing preliminary research to make sure the topic is a viable one.sure the topic is a viable one.

Elements of Writing that Elements of Writing that Produce Great Research Produce Great Research

PapersPapers

Content Content ClarityClarity CohesionCohesion Order/ Order/

OrganizationOrganization Creativity/ Creativity/

OriginalityOriginality Word ChoiceWord Choice

– PrecisionPrecision– SuccinctnessSuccinctness

GrammarGrammar SpellingSpelling CapitalizationCapitalization Flow/ Flow/

TransitionsTransitions FormattingFormatting ReferencesReferences

– ChoiceChoice– Citation Citation

formattingformatting

Course Course AssignmentsAssignments

Group ParticipationGroup Participation - - 20%20%Annotated BibliographyAnnotated Bibliography - - 10%10%Book Review on Fee/StuartBook Review on Fee/Stuart - - 10%10%Exegetical ExerciseExegetical Exercise - - 10%10%Research PaperResearch Paper - 40%- 40%Final ExamFinal Exam - 10%- 10%

Take a break & return to form Take a break & return to form GroupsGroups