Exegesis Research Paper Guidelines
1. Select one passage from this list (Matthew 5: 1-12, Matthew 15:21-28, Matthew 25:31-46)and analyze that text using a reading strategy from this list (Liberation Theology, Postcolonialism, or Social Criticism). In the first couple of weeks of class, you should determine what passage and reading strategy your will use for your paper. This will help you work on your paper throughout the course and nuance the research you do.
2. This is an academic research paper that should help you understand how to write a basic academic paper in biblical studies. Making use of a theological library will be incredibly helpful in this enterprise. If you cannot come to campus to do this, find a good theological library in your own area and make use of it. Also, learn how to navigate and use the ITC Library website for your remote research needs. For this paper, there are two important sources that need to be used:
2.1. Critical Commentaries Standard critical commentaries may be found in the library’s reference room (with some duplicate volumes in the main stacks available for checkout. Most of the best commentaries are included in series. The following series are highly recommended: New Interpreter’s BibleSacra Pagina (SP)Abingdon New Testament Commentaries (ANTC)Yale Anchor Bible (AB)New International Critical Commentary on the New Testament (NICNT)New Testament Library (NT)Smyth & Helwys (SH)Hermeneia Word Biblical Commentary (WBC)Pillar New Testament Commentaries (PNTC)Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (BECNT)While there are some good commentaries that are not part of a series, please consult with me before you use them. Also, do not use commentaries that are not academic in nature. If you have any questions about this, please ask me. An example of such commentaries is Matthew Henry. You should use at least 3-4 commentaries for your paper.
2.2. Academic Journal Articles These are accessible through the ATLA data base on the Union Library site. To search, you may use passage references (e.g. Luke 6:20-26) or topics (e.g. Feminist reading of Matthew 15:21-28). 10There are readily downloadable pdf. versions of many of these articles. Others can be easily found in the hard copy journals in the library. You must consult at least 4 academic articles for this paper.
3. The primary focus of this paper is utilize a particular reading strategy to exegete a biblical passage in order to create meaning around the figure of Jesus in a particular gospel. Don’t simply describe the text but analyze the text from the point of view of the reading strategy you are employing. This will help you understand the text and, maybe more importantly, what you are doing with the text (or what you are doing with the Jesus in the text). How does a reading strategy significantly impact the meaning/Jesus that is produced from the text/reader?
4. In your last paragraph, describe how your particular reading strategy can be a helpful tool in sermon preparation, congregational care, etc.
5. The paper should be 1,750-2,000 words in length (7-8 pages, double-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font)in length, written as an academic/graduate level, and follow the SBL Handbook of Style for biblical references and footnotes. Footnotes should include full bibliographic information in the first citation and then abbreviated form thereafter. No separate bibliography is required at the end, except if you choose to list some Works Consulted that were not incorporated into your paper.
Here are some basic samples of proper footnote style:
Basic Commentary in a Series Author First Name, Author Last Name, Title of Book (Series [you may use abbreviation] and Number [if available]; City of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication), Page Number(s).Raymond F. Collins, First Corinthians (SP 7; Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2006), 28-35.New Interpreter’s Bible (a special case)Author First Name, Author Last Name, Article Title of Commentary, in Long Title of Entire Volume. Vol. Number of New Interpreter’s Bible (ed. Leander E. Keck; Nashville: Abingdon Press, Year of Publication of particular volume), Page Number(s).N. T. Wright, Letter to the Romans, in Acts, Introduction to Epistolary Literature, Letter to the Romans, First Letter to the Corinthians. Vol. 10 of New Interpreter’s Bible (ed. LeanderE. Keck; Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2002), 538- 789.