Seminar in Theological Research (GTHE 517)

1. Seminar in Theological Research (GTHE 517) Prof. David Hebert E-mail: dhebert@oru.edu; Office Hours: Mon. 1-3 pm; Tue. 1-3:30 pm (Thanks to Dr. James Tollett & Sally Shelton for input for this presentation)

2. Genesis (Beginnings) • Introduce each other (name, where from?, field of study at the Seminary, and perceived giftedness to the Body of Christ) • Wisdom for the day (brief devotional) • Pray (the Word and in the Spirit) • Outline Course (purpose, method and content) • Form Groups

3. Consider These Statistics!(According to The Barna Research Group) • Only 9% of “born-again” adults in America have a biblical worldview (January 12, 2004) • Only 50% of those associated with the Christian faith rate themselves as “absolutely committed” to it (March 19, 2004) • Of 601 Senior Pastors (a random cross-section of Protestant churches), only 51% have a biblical worldview (January 12, 2004), and • Among “born-again” American Christians: • 10% believe that people are reincarnated after death • 29% believe it is possible to communicate with the dead • 50% believe a person can “earn” salvation based on good works (October 21, 2003)

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

5. Foundational Devotion (cont.)Therefore; • 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 4:3-4, regarding “deceptive spirits, doctrines of demons, myths, & old wives’ tales;” which amounts to false doctrine/heresy & the statistics above) • 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 Let us pray!

6. The Purpose resides in the Title of the Course • 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)

7. Seminars = Group discussion/work/collaboration+ • 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) • 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.

8. Rationale for Writing Assignments • Writing contributes to intelligence by requiring analysis and synthesis of information. • Writing develops initiative by requiring writers to develop a thesis, find research materials, and reflect upon and communicate findings independently • Writing develops courage by requiring that writers 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.

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

10. Standard/Canon/Measuring Stick—Official School of Theology and Missions 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.

11. Additional Textbooks Vyhmeister, Nancy Jean. Quality Research Papers: For Students of Religion and Theology. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008. Fee, Gordon D., and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.

12. From the Purpose flows the Method • The need for Small Groups of 4 preferably (Leader, Observer, Encourager, & Recorder) for this semester’s journey • Using Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12:12-27; & 1 Pet 4:10-11 (Body of Christ Giftedness) as aModel, 1 Cor 13 & Rom 12:9-16 (Love) as the Motivation/Action, & 1 Cor 14:26 & Eph 4:3-16 (Unity of the Spirit, Bond ofPeace of the Mature Body of Christ) as the Goal • General Format(subject to modification as necessary) for the Seminar will be: • 30 minutes—Meet in Groups to pray and have devotion • 30 minutes—Lecture on Content Topic for the day • 15 minutes—Break • 75 minutes—Finish Lecture or adjourn to the Library for Research, with break(s) as necessary

13. Small Group Cooperative Learning • Based on four elements: • Positive Interdependence • Face-to-face Interaction • Individual Accountability& Evaluation • Appropriate use of interpersonal, small-group skills • Contributing ideas, asking questions, expressing feelings, actively listening, expressing support/encouragement, summarizing, checking for understanding, relieving tension, and giving direction • All these skills may be broken down into four positions within the Group (which are rotated each class meeting):

14. Four Members of the Group • Leader(Responsible for: Summarizing Ideas, Checking for understanding, Relieving tension, Giving direction, Asking questions,Contributing ideas, Expressing feelings, Actively listening, and Expressing support/encouragement) • Observer(Responsible for: Monitoring & Evaluating how well the Group is doing,Actively listening, Contributing ideas, Asking questions, Expressing feelings, and Expressing support/encouragement) • Recorder(Responsible for: Recording the Group’s work, Keeping track of time,Actively listening, Contributing ideas, Asking questions, Expressing feelings, and Expressing support/encouragement) • Encourager/Researcher/Runner(Responsible for: Expressing support & encouragement, Gathering materials, Communicating with other Groups & Professor as necessary,Contributing ideas, Asking questions, Expressing feelings, and Actively 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.

15. Five Members of the Group • Leader(Responsible for: Summarizing Ideas, Checking for understanding, Relieving tension, Giving direction, Asking questions,Contributing ideas, Expressing feelings, Actively listening, and Expressing support/encouragement) • Observer(Responsible for: Monitoring & Evaluating how well the Group is doing,Actively listening, Contributing ideas, Asking questions, Expressing feelings, and Expressing support/encouragement) • Recorder(Responsible for: Recording the Group’s work, Keeping track of time,Actively listening, Contributing ideas, Asking questions, Expressing feelings, and Expressing support/encouragement) • Encourager(Responsible for: Expressing support/ encouragement,Contributing ideas, Asking questions, Expressing feelings, and Actively listening) • Researcher/Runner(Responsible for: Gathering materials, Communicating with other Groups & Professor as necessary,) Contributing ideas, Asking questions, Expressing feelings, Actively 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.

18. T E A M T - Together E- Everyone A - Accomplishes M - More

19. Following the Method, remains the Content & Course Assignments – Content Eight Steps to Producing a Research Strategy Elements of Writing That Produce Great Research Papers

20. Eight Steps to Producing a Research Paper 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

21. Step ONE: Select the Topic • Topics are usually broad in scope and may be found through your theological reading, asking questions of yourself, peers and professors, and in an area which you have an avid interest and would like to pursue further while at the Seminary. • Select a topic that will hold your interest throughout the entire process, and if you plan to do a Thesis for your degree, one that relates to your proposed Thesis topic. • Begin doing preliminary research to make sure the topic is a viable one.

22. Elements of Writing that Produce Great Research Papers • Content • Clarity • Cohesion • Order/ Organization • Creativity/ Originality • Word Choice • Precision • Succinctness • Grammar • Spelling • Capitalization • Flow/ Transitions • Formatting • References • Choice • Citation formatting

23. Course Assignments Group Participation - 20% Annotated Bibliography - 10% Book Review on Fee/Stuart - 10% Exegetical Exercise - 10% Research Paper - 40% Final Exam - 10% Take a break & return to form Groups