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
Battleground: Religion [2 Volumes] by Call Number: EbookISBN: 9780313340987Publication Date: 2008
- Contemporary World IssuesBook series on such issues as homelessness, chemical and biological warfare, counter terrorism, environmentalism, AIDS, hate crimes, Christianity and politics, nuclear weapons, racial and ethnic diversity, and religion in the schools
[series title search for Contemporary world issues] - CounterpointsBook series on such topics as apologetics, baptism, eternal security, church growth movement, creation and evolution, hell, law and gospel, messianic movement, moving beyond the Bible to theology, miraculous gifts, New Testament use of the Old Testament, the Rapture, remarriage after divorce, salvation in a pluralistic world, spectrum of evangelicalism, women in ministry, biblical inerrancy, Christian spirituality, divine providence, the Apostle Paul, historical Adam, and the doctrine of the Trinity.
[title search]
Culture Wars in America: An Encyclopedia of Issues, Viewpoints, and Voices by Call Number: EbookISBN: 9780765683021Publication Date: 2013
Debating the Death Penalty: Should America Have Capital Punishment? : The Experts on Both Sides Make Their Best Case by Call Number: HV8699.U5 D635 2004ISBN: 0195169832Publication Date: 2004
Encyclopedia of Bioethics, 5 vols. by Call Number: EbookISBN: 0028657748Publication Date: 2004
Sample Entry: Nursing Ethics
The Evolution-Creation Struggle by Call Number: EbookISBN: 0674016874Publication Date: 2005
- Historical Guides to Controversial Issues in AmericaBook series
[advanced keyword search] - Opposing ViewpointsBook series
[advanced keyword] - Points of View Reference Center
- School Prayer
- Religious High Schools & the Status of Openly Homosexual Teachers
- Ordination of Gay Clergy
- Free Speech & Islam
- Female Priests
- Faith-Based Initiatives
- Church & State Separation
- Christianity in the United States
- Atheism
The Pro-Life/Choice Debate by Call Number: HQ767.5.U5 H467 2003ISBN: 0313317100Publication Date: 2003
- Spectrum Multiview BooksBook series (some print, some electronic)
Topics include faith and reason, biblical hermeneutics, God and morality, justification, and psychology and Christianity. - Taking Sides
Contrasting Views on Theological Topics
Baptism: Three Views by Call Number: BV812 .B37 2009ISBN: 9780830838561Publication Date: 2009
Christian Faith and Social Justice: Five Views by Call Number: BR115.J8 C47 2015Publication Date: 2015
From Exorcism to Ecstasy: Eight Views of Baptism by Call Number: BV811.3 .H35 2007Publication Date: 2007
Grace, Faith, and Free Will: Contrasting Views of Salvation: Calvinism and Arminianism by Call Number: BT751.3 .P53 2002Publication Date: 2002
The Nature of the Atonement: Four Views by Call Number: BT265.3 .N38 2006Publication Date: 2006
Perspectives on Israel and the Church: Four Views by Call Number: EbookPublication Date: 2015
Perspectives on Our Struggle with Sin: 3 Views of Romans 7 by Call Number: BS2665.52 .P448 2011Publication Date: 2011
Perspectives on Spirit Baptism: Five Views by Call Number: BT123 .P43 2004Publication Date: 2004
Predestination and Free Will by Call Number: BT810.2 .P74 1986Publication Date: 1986
Two Views of Hell by Call Number: BT836.2.F83 2000Publication Date: 2000
Understanding Spiritual Warfare: Four Views by Call Number: EbookPublication Date: 2012
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.org This link opens in a new window
- Theological Journals Search This link opens in a new window
- TOPICsearch This link opens in a new window
News & Current Events
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