Exegetical Research
One of the major assignments you will complete in the course RTCH 500 is the writing of a 10-12 page double-spaced approximately 3000 word exegetical research paper using Turabian as the style manual.
You will write the paper in three (3) parts over the 8 weeks of the course. In the past, for some reason, students have had difficulty writing Part 1 because they often forgot to include a context section, even though this requirement was clearly presented in the syllabus, assignment directions, and the assignment grading rubric which students could see before submitting their paper for grading. Therefore, I am providing this Template in the hope that it will reduce the number of students who forget, overlook, or ignore the context requirement for Part 1 of the paper.
Selected passage: Ephesians 4:7–16
Exegetical Research Paper Part 1
This portion of the paper has three (3) required sections that each needs its own elaboration and discussion.
1. An Introduction that, in fact, introduces the reader to the passage you have selected (see course assignment directions for the list of possible passages from which to choose). This section should be approximately one long or two short paragraphs in length.
2. As part of the Introduction, you should state clearly and succinctly your thesis or purpose statement. In addition, this thesis/purpose statement should be highlighted with a highlight color, bolded, or underlined so that it is easy to locate.
3. A separate section of Part 1 is the context portion in which you discuss the literary, cultural, and historical context of the passage you have selected. Context refers to the placement of a text within a particular setting or situation. The literary context identifies the specific literary genre or type of literature (poetry, narrative, parables, etc.). Cultural context refers to the placing of the text within a particular cultural setting such as where the passage was originally written. For instance, if your passage is Ephesians 4, you would want to comment upon the cultural context of the city of Ephesus and its significance for an understanding of your selected passage. The historical context places the passage within a particular time. If, for instance, you have selected a passage from the gospels, you would want to inform the reader about approximately when the events in your passage occurred in the life and public ministry of Jesus.
Exegetical Research Paper Part 2
This portion of the paper has three (3) required sections each with its own elaboration and discussion.
1. Modify, correct, and edit your Part 1 portion of the paper based upon the feedback provided by the professor in the grading rubric itself (be sure to click on “show feedback” in the grading rubric so that you can see comments the professor may have written) or in the paper (be sure to click on the comment bubbles so that you can see what the professor has written).
2. Exegete and analyze the passage selected using the resources you have located in a library or using online databases. This is the heart of the paper and should occupy most of your time and attention.
3. Provide a bibliography with at least ten (10) scholarly and reputable resources from established publishing houses and respected journals. Avoid using a significant number of online websites or popular pastors/Bible teachers. This is a graduate level paper and we expect you to begin learning how to access more substantive and peer reviewed resources to inform your understanding of your selected passage. The Bibliography should be formatted in accordance with Turabian, A Manual for Writers (most current edition).
Exegetical Research Paper Part 3
As in the previous portions, Part 3 has three (3) required portions that need to be included.
1. Modify, correct, and edit Part 2 in response to feedback provided by your professor.
2. Address the significance of the passage and address the application of the passage. The significance of the passage addresses what it meant for the original audience then and the application of the passage addresses what it means for the individual Christians or the church as a whole today.
3. Refine and modify your bibliography based upon previous feedback from the professor to be sure that all aspects of it conform to Turabian style.
Now you have all the information you need to submit an exegetical research paper that meets all of the required elements. Writing quality, use of correct grammar, spelling, and similar components of the paper are addressed in the style section of each grading rubric for each part of the paper. The paper consists of three (3) parts each containing three (3) required components. This makes it easy to double-check your work before you submit it for grading. You should ask yourself as you are reading through your paper one final time, “Have I included all three required elements and are they clearly identified?”
Be sure to provide a School of Divinity approved cover or title sheet. Use this link to see how to conform yours to the expectation set out in the official template.
