From Topic to Thesis: A Guide to Theological Research

Michael Kibbe

Dec 2015 · InterVarsity Press

About this ebook

While courses in Bible and theology typically require research papers, particularly at the graduate level, very few include training in research. Professors have two options: use valuable class time to teach students as much as they can, or lower their standards with the understanding that students cannot be expected to complete tasks for which they have never been prepared. From Topic to Thesis: A Guide to Theological Research offers a third option. This affordable and accessible tool walks students through the process, focusing on five steps: finding direction, gathering sources, understanding issues, entering discussion and establishing a position. Its goal is to take students directly from a research assignment to a research argument—in other words, from topic to thesis.

About the author

Michael Kibbe (PhD, Wheaton College) is assistant professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute-Spokane in Spokane, Washington, where he teaches Greek and hermeneutics. He is the author of Godly Fear or Ungodly Failure? Hebrews 12 and the Sinai Theophanies and has published articles in the Journal of Theological Studies, Biblica, the Journal of Theological Interpretation and the Journal for the Study of Paul and His Letters. His research interests include the Epistle to the Hebrews, the use of the Old Testament in the New, the doctrine of the atonement, theological exegesis, Second Corinthians and the reception history of Exodus and Deuteronomy. He lives in Spokane, Washington, with his wife Annie and their two children.