Research Project:
Paper Assignment Instructions
Overview
This assignment is the culmination of the research, planning, and pre-writing you have compelted thus far in the course. The end product of this paper is a final draft of your paper for review by your instructor. Ultimately, this paper will answer the research question you identified in the first module by presenting you conclusions in the form of an organized argument that is supported by scholarly research. The instructions below explain precisely what is expected of the paper.
*The research paper should be between 2,000–2,500 words.
This minimum and maximum are the range for the paper. You have flexibility within that range, but you must be within it. This range does not include the Title Page, Bibliography, or Footnotes. Any words accumulated for those Turabian elements are additional to the minimum/maximum word count.
*The paper should include these basic elements of a paper:
An Introduction paragraph that introduces the problem within the scholarly context and offers the thesis as the last sentence of the first paragraph. This paragraph should be about 10% of the length of the paragraph. The Body of the paper should be the supporting paragraphs represented by the outline the student submitted.
*Each paragraph of the Body should include a topic sentence, research to support the claim, and a statement that explains how the research relates back to the thesis.
*The Conclusion of the paper should summarize the main points of the argument without introducing and new information. This paragraph should be about 5-10% of the length of the paper.
The paper must include at least 8 scholary references in addition to the Bible.
*These sources should reflect the previous submissions you have used in this course with any recommended changes.
*Sources are introduced with signal tags in the body of the paper.
*Sources that are not scholarly or are tertiary will not count toward the minimum scholarly research requirement.
*The Bible, while certainly an important source, is not scholarly and should not be included on the Bibliography.
The paper must be formatted in correct Turabian style using the Notes-Bibliography style. Please see the sample, guide, and template provided through School of Divinity Writing Guide to ensure you format the elements of the paper correctly.
The paper should not use headings and subheadings as these are typically reserved for longer papers (20+ pages required, or 10+ pages recommended). Since we are less than those guidelines for this course, we will not use them.
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Research Project: Topic and Question Assignment
Paper Topic
Jesus’ “I am” saying in John as they relate to Jesus’s deity and the Old Testament.
Preliminary Research
I examined the “I am” statements attributed to Jesus in the Gospel of John, consulting reputable
sources like “The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church” and “The New International
Dictionary of New Testament Theology.” The debate surrounding this topic primarily centers on
interpreting these declarations in relation to Jesus’s divine nature and their connections to the
Old Testament.
Research Question
In what ways do the ‘I am’ declarations in the Gospel of John illuminate the divinity of Jesus and
their correlation with the Old Testament?
…
Research Problem.
My revised research question centers around investigating the correlation between Jesus’s “I am” sayings in the Book of John, his divine nature, and their association with Old Testament scriptures.
In my preliminary research, I focused on examining the “I am” statements attributed to Jesus in the Gospel of John. To gain a comprehensive understanding, I consulted reputable sources such as “The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church” and “The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology.” These sources provided valuable insights into the debate surrounding this topic, which primarily centers on interpreting these declarations in relation to Jesus’s divine nature and their connections to the Old Testament.
Research Question: In what ways do the ‘I am’ declarations in the Gospel of John illuminate the divinity of Jesus and their correlation with the Old Testament?
Since the inception of Christianity, theological scholars have exhibited a profound interest in phrases that commence with “I am.” This continuous discourse still has relevance today as scholars are diligently scrutinizing the effects of these sayings to interpret Jesus’s divine nature. Some academics assert that certain statements offer robust proof of Jesus’s divinity linking closely with Old Testament texts, while others suggest a more metaphorical or symbolic reading. Regardless of their contrasting views, these scholars confidently defend their interpretations, providing compelling arguments backing their stances. In the history of the Church, the persisting argument about the importance of the “I am” declarations carries considerable weight.
Research Question: In what ways do the ‘I am’ declarations in the Gospel of John illuminate
the divinity of Jesus and their correlation with the Old Testament?
Working Bibliography
1. Bauckham, Richard. “The ‘I Am’ Sayings and the Date of John’s Gospel.” Journal of
Theological Studies 48, no. 1 (1997): 67-91.
2. Carson, D.A. The Gospel According to John. Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 1991.
3. Köstenberger, Andreas J. “I Am the Bread of Life”: Sustaining Christological Identity in John
6.” Bulletin for Biblical Research 15, no. 1 (2005): 97-120.
4. Morris, Leon. The Gospel According to John. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1971.
5. O’Day, Gail R. “John 6: A Commentary on the Gospel of John, Chapters 6-12.” Hermeneia—A Critical and Historical Commentary on the Bible. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1998.
6. Tuckett, Christopher M. “The Current State of the ‘Johannine Question.’” New Testament
Studies 43, no. 3 (1997): 361-386.
7. Beasley-Murray, George R. John. Word Biblical Commentary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson,
1999.
8. Lincoln, Andrew T. The Gospel According to Saint John. Black’s New Testament
Commentary. London: Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2005.
*Instructions Format: Remember to use hanging indent for each entry instead of using numbers. For hanging indent, the first line is aligned with the margin and the subsequent lines are indented (opposite of a paragraph).
*Titles: As a reminder, titles of articles and book chapters go in quotations; titles of books, journals, and other periodicals go in italics.
Format: Remember to organize source citations in alphabetical order.
Research Project: Thesis and Outline Assignment
Research Question: In what ways do the ‘I am’ declarations in the Gospel of John illuminate
the divinity of Jesus and their correlation with the Old Testament?
Thesis: The ‘I am’ declarations in the Gospel of John not only assert Jesus’ divinity but also
resonate with the Old Testament’s depiction of God, establishing a direct correlation that
positions Jesus as the personification of the divine ‘I am’ within a first-century Jewish context.
Outline
I. The ‘I am’ declarations in the Gospel of John explicitly project the divinity of Jesus.
A. Jesus’ use of ‘I am’ harkens back to God’s self-identification in Exodus 3:14, where He reveals His name to Moses as “I AM.”.
1. The phrase ‘I am’ in John’s Gospel is a deliberate echo of the divine name revealed at the burning bush.
2. The context of each ‘I am’ statement in John demonstrates a thematic link to the attributes and actions of God in the Old Testament.
B. The seven metaphorical ‘I am’ statements in John’s Gospel each reveal an aspect of Jesus’ divine identity and mission.
1. “I am the bread of life” connects Jesus to the provision of manna in the wilderness, reflecting sustenance and divine provision.
2. “I am the light of the world” parallels the pillar of fire that guided the Israelites, symbolizing guidance and revelation.
II. The Johannine‘I am’ statements assert Jesus’ eternal existence and preeminent authority.
A. Jesus’ predication of “I am” without a predicate asserts His existence before Abraham and his eternal nature.
1. The statement “Before Abraham was, I am” directly claims preexistence and aligns Jesus with the eternal God of Israel.
2. The reaction of the Jewish audience to this claim indicates an understanding of its blasphemous implications unless true.
B. The ‘I am’ declarations serve as a cornerstone for Christological reflection on Jesus’ divine sovereignty and unity with the Father.
1. “I am the good shepherd” demonstrates Jesus’ authority over life and death, resonating with God’s shepherding imagery in the Old Testament.
2. “I am the way, the truth, and the life” encapsulates the fullness of Jesus’ divine role and His unique mediation of salvation.
III. The ‘I am’ declarations affirm Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and
typology.
A. Jesus fulfills the expectations of a coming prophet like Moses, who would speak the words of God directly to the people.
1. The ‘I am’ statements collectively signify Jesus as the prophet whose words carry divine authority and revelation.
2. The analogy of Jesus with Moses reinforces His role as mediator of a new covenant,
as Moses was for the old.
B. The narrative context of the ‘I am’ sayings in John’s Gospel demonstrates their role
in fulfilling the messianic hopes rooted in Jewish tradition.
1. Jesus’ declaration “I am the resurrection and the life” during the raising of Lazarus aligns with Jewish beliefs in the resurrection connected to the Messiah.
2. “I am the true vine” symbolizes Israel’s hoped-for restoration, which Jesus embodies and fulfills as the true source of life and fruitfulness.
Introduction Paragraph.
The intricate terrain of Christian theological discourse is profoundly influenced by persistent debates about the perplexing character of Jesus Christ, igniting both fascination and dispute among academic circles. At the heart of these discussions lie the enigmatic “I am” declarations recorded in the Gospel of John, captivating the minds of theologians and the faithful for generations. These statements are crucial in unfolding the identity of Jesus, creating a bridge to the honored traditions found in the Old Testament. In the historical context of first-century Judea, these “I am” assertions echo the divine self-disclosure given to Moses at the burning bush, when God revealed His name for all ages. The academic dissection of these scriptural accounts is greatly enhanced by thorough investigations that are historical, literary, and theological in nature, uncovering a rich tapestry of meanings and interpretations. This exploration delves into the profound connections between the “I am” expressions in the Gospel of John and the depictions of God in the Old Testament, suggesting that these phrases not only solidify the divine nature of Jesus but also are congruent with the descriptions of God in the Hebrew scriptures. This congruence paints Jesus as the corporeal embodiment of the divine presence, integrally situated within the religious milieu of first-century Jewish life.
