Apologetics Term Paper-Fall 2016

A well written term paper will persuasively present the student’s conclusion from research in an area of study. Every term paper must have a clearly written thesis statement that usually appears at the end of the introduction. The thesis statement will make an arguable claim about the topic, and the main sections of the paper should support this thesis. Strong thesis statements inform the reader how you will interpret the information to follow and create a roadmap for you to follow. Furthermore, you should attempt to grab the reader’s attention and make them want to finish your work.

Sometimes students struggle with finding qualify resources for their topic. Because of that, I have included a few suggestions under each topic. Keep in mind that this does not indicate that I necessarily agree with the authors, but that information from that source could help you write your paper. Be sure to use our new digital libraries as you research. Of the five kinds of sources described below, your paper should primarily or entirely use the last two types.

  • Unpublished resources, especially blogs, webpages, and Wikipedia should generally be avoided.
  • Popular resources are book that are written to a general audience. In Bible study, these would include devotional, Christian living, or commentaries like those of John Phillips. These resources can be used lightly, but not extensively and should not be used to support a major point in your work.
  • Non-scholarly secondary sources like encyclopedias can be used, but usually should be paraphrased, not quoted.
  • Scholarly resources include articles in academic and peer-reviewed periodicals, or books written by people with professional expertise in a specific field. These are often written to an audience that has some understanding already on the topic. Scholarly books and articles should be a major category in your bibliography, and can be paraphrased or quoted.
  • A primary resource would refer to the actual source documentation. These are eyewitness accounts, ancient documents, and works by classic scholars.

Here are some types that a student should remember when writing:

  • Use only Times New Roman at 12-point font size and double space between lines. Indent paragraphs, but do not give an additional space between them.
  • Include a proper title page and follow Turabian formatting.
  • Block quotes are quotes that extend past three lines of text. These should also be indented and single-spaced to set them apart from the body of the paper.
  • Since all good writing includes rewriting, be sure to have someone else proofread your paper so you can make any necessary corrections before submitting your work.
  • Avoid first or second person personal pronouns.
  • Avoid contractions-write out the words entirely.

Topics

  • Genetic Tendencies and Sin
  • Is it possible that genetics contribute to a person’s tendency for alcoholism, homosexuality, depression, or other behaviors that could be sinful?
  • If so, how can God condemn someone for behaving in a way that they are predisposed toward?
  • Ferrell, W. Lyman. “Alcoholism: The Drinking Man’s Disease.” Faith and Mission 9 no. 2 (Spring 1992): 74-91
  • Stanton, Glenn and Bill Maier, Marriage on Trial. Downers Grove, IL: InterVaristy Press, 2004.
  • Tillman, William M. “The Church’s response to Homosexuality: Biblical Models for the 21st Century.” Review and Expositor 98 no. 2 (Spring 2001): 241-56.
  • The Writing of the New Testament
  • When was the New Testament account recorded? What are the key argument for and against your view, and how do your support what you believe?
  • Geisler, Norman and William Nix, From God to Us: How We Got Out Bible. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2012.
  • Kent, Homer A. Jr. “How We Got Our New Testament.” Grace Journal 08 no. 2 (Spring 1967).
  • Common Grace and Apologetics
  • England, Tobi. “Natural Theology and Paul’s Address on Mars Hill” Journal of Biblical Ministry 6 no. 1 (Fall 2014): 14-25.
  • Murray, John. “Common Grace.” Westminster Theological Journal 05 no. 1 (November 1942).
  • Vliet, Jan van. “From Condition to State: Critical Reflections on Cornelius Van Til’s Doctrine of Common Grace.” Westminster Theological Journal 61 no. 1 (Spring 1999): 71-100.
  • Fine Tuning and the Existence of God
  • Ostrander, Hal. “General Revelation and the Anthropic Cosmological Principle: Reasons for Optimism that God has Made Himself ‘Known’ to everyone.” Christian Apologetics Journal 2 no. 1 (Spring 1999), 7-21.
  • Ross, Hugh. Why the Universe Is the Way It Is. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2008.