THEME ESSAY INSTRUCTIONS
TRACING A THEOLOGICAL THEME THROUGH THE OLD TESTAMENT
By the time you begin this essay, you should have accomplished the following:
1. Written two “Methods Decisions” essays that set the foundations of your approach.
2. Proposed a rough plan for the theme you wish to research to the course coordinator/teacher for approval.
3. Submitted an annotated bibliography which indicates at least 10 resources you are using and how those resources will serve your process.
Using the plan approved in step 2 above and the decisions made and resources collected in steps 1 and 2, you will write a final essay that traces your chosen theological theme as it develops through the Old Testament. You will address issues such as:
1. Where does the theme first appear? This may be when it first appears in the OT chronology, or when it appears in the OT composition history, which depends on your chosen approach (i.e. synchronic vs. diachronic (and) criticism vs. canonical). Where does it appear after that? How does the theme develop or change through the OT?
2. Are the passages that address your theme unified on the theme? Or are different views presented between biblical texts?
3. How does the theme fit within the larger flow of the OT narrative?
4. How is understanding of the theme bolstered by extra-biblical context (e.g. ancient Near Eastern covenant treaties and the biblical covenants)?
5. What are the various scholarly views on the theme and how do they differ?
The ultimate structure of your paper will depend on your approach/method and the type of information on which you are focusing. For example, with a canonical and synchronic approach it might be best for you to trace the theme canonically through the Old Testament. Or, if you approach it critically and diachronically, it might be better to trace the theme through the history of OT scholarship and a proposed composition-history of the OT.
Requirements
Format: Your paper must be between 2500-3000 words which does not include your bibliography, references, or title page. It must be formatted according to Turabian/SBL standards.
Research: The goal is for you to present your own original argument on the topic, however, this should not just be your observations or opinions. You will need to interact with the scholarly sources from your annotated bibliography and the class textbooks to ground your argument in wider academic discussion. Research must be properly cited in footnotes and the full-source references included in a bibliography page.
Style: The paper must be written in formal academic style. It must contain proper grammar and spelling. Avoid the use of colloquialisms or idioms. The overall argument should have a logical flow, avoid unnecessary information (i.e. be concise), and have thoughts/points organized in proper paragraphs.
