Thesis Research and Proposal:Beginning the Journey

Writing a thesis is like going on a journey.

First you decide on your destination

It is helpful to have directions so you know how to get there.

Pick a topic you love

The discipline of theology often begins with questions,

not answers.

Scholastic theology may give the image of

“faith seeking understanding.”

That seeking is expressed through questions.

• “Why did God become man?”-Anselm of Canterbury

• “Is there an ultimate end •of human life?”

-Thomas Aquinas

• “What is the right way to speak about God?”-Elizabeth Johnson

Your own theological research may begin with a carefully

formulated research question.

Briefly explain why

this question interests you

and why it might matter

to a wider theological audience.

Researchers must do more than come up with a good research

question. They must also consider:

• Why is this question worth asking?

• How does its answer help us understand some bigger issue in a new way?

Steps to formulating a preliminary research question*

1. Identify your topic

2. Rephrase it in the form of a question3. Extend the relevance of the question into a clause that refines and clarifies it.

*Writing Theology Well, Yaghjian

Or think of your project like this:*

1. I am working on the topic of X

2. Because I want to find out Y

3. So that I can better understand Z

*Turabian, 23

1. I am working on the topic of

The Lord’s Prayer

2. Because I want to find out:

Was the Lord’s Prayer Jewish in its cultural and liturgical context,

or was it a totally new kind of prayer?

3. So that I can better understand:

. . . the historical and cultural background and context of the Lord’s Prayer in light of Old Testament prayer

and Jewish liturgical prayer of the Second Temple Period.

Develop a clear thesis statement

It will determine the direction your paper goes.

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the historical and cultural background and context of the Lord’s Prayer in light of Old Testament prayer and Jewish liturgical prayer of the Second Temple Period in order to penetrate and illuminate the purpose and significance of Jesus’ teaching on prayer, and to apply it to individual and corporate prayer today.

Research more deeply • Remember that research starts with questions, not answers.

• Don’t feel you have to know exactly what you want to know or say.

Enjoy the process—research is exciting!

It’s like a puzzle

. . . or a treasure hunt

Enjoy the process—research is exciting!

. . . or a mystery story

Enjoy the process—research is exciting!

Enjoy the process—Research is exciting!

. . . or an archaeological dig

Read more

Take time to see what positions what scholars are taking

Interact with your reading

See where you will “jump into the conversation.”

Take good notes Write your comments about what you’re reading

Use two columns – one with notes on text, one with your own comments, questions, etc.

Try note cards if you’re writing notes by hand.

Label notes with headings and subheadings

Make an Outline

Use the headings and subheadings on your notes to plug them into your outline.

Write down all bibliographic information

Don’t assume you’ll come back to it or find it again

The one that got away

immediately

Remember that the journey

of theological research and

writing is a

growth process

And while journeys usually start out cheerily . . .

. . . they also have challenges . . .

Expect to encounter some hazards . . .

And unexpected obstructions and delays . . .

But the destination is well worth the effort . . .

Enjoy your journey . . .