On Developing a Thesis for a Research Paper
Identify a burning question and attempt to answer it.
- Example of a burning question: What did Jesus mean when he taught his disciples to pray, "Lead us not into temptation" (Matt. 6:13; Luke 11:4)?
- Ways to approach the problem:
- Exegetical question: What do the Greek words for lead and temptation mean? How does the context in Matthew and Luke help to explain what the Gospel writers understood Jesus to mean? Where else are these words used in Scripture, and where else does Scripture refer to God leading his people into a time of testing? How do these other passages clarify the meaning in Matthew 6 and Luke 11?
- Translation question: In what other way might "Lead us not into temptation" be translated into English that would assist the reader to be less likely to misinterpret Jesus' meaning?
- Theological question: Would a good God tempt his children or deliberately lead them into temptation? How have other theologians attempted to answer this question? What can I learn from their attempts? If I agree with them, why; if I disagree, how?
- Ministry question: How does this theological problem apply to persons or communities that are going through a time of testing?
Issues, Debates & Controversies
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- opens new windowCulture Wars: An Encyclopedia of Issues, Viewpoints, and Voices
- Credo Reference
- opens new windowDebating the Death Penalty: Should America Have Capital Punishment?
- HV8699.U5 D635 2004 LRC-5
- opens new windowEncyclopedia of Bioethics
- Gale Virtual Reference, 3rd ed., 2004, 5 vols.
- opens new windowThe Evolution-Creation Struggle
- BT712 .R88 2005
- opens new windowHistorical Guides to Controversial Issues in America
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- HQ767.5.U5H467 2003 LRC-5
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- opens new windowTaking Sides
- Book series that presents "clashing views" on such topics as bioethics, education, environment, foreign policy, family and personal relationships, human sexuality, politics, moral and social issues, and economics.
Contrasting Views on Theological Topics
Christian Faith and Social Justice: Five Views by
Call Number: BR115.J8 C47 2015Publication Date: 2015From Exorcism to Ecstasy: Eight Views of Baptism by
Call Number: BV811.3 .H35 2007Publication Date: 2007Grace, Faith, and Free Will: Contrasting Views of Salvation: Calvinism and Arminianism by
Call Number: BT751.3 .P53 2002Publication Date: 2002Perspectives on Our Struggle with Sin: 3 Views of Romans 7 by
Call Number: BS2665.52 .P448 2011Publication Date: 2011
Research Starting Points
- CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window
- EagleSearch This link opens in a new window
- Points of View Reference Center This link opens in a new window
- ProCon.orgWeb site
- Theological Journals Search This link opens in a new window
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News and Current Events
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