Theology Term Paper
Format MLA
Volume of 1700 – 1900 words (7 pages)
Assignment type : Term paper
Description
There are 9 topics you can pick from to write about. Pick your choice of ONE TOPIC, it does not matter Which one.
1. A Christian Theologian
Write a Paper on a modern Christian theologian (e.g. K. Barth, K. Rahner, P Tillich, J. Moltman, B.F. Lonergan, J.B. Metz, H. U von Balthazar, H. de Lubac, Elizabeth Schlussler Fiorenza, G. Gutierrez or one approved by the instructor). Situate the theologian in his/her historical context; indicate something of his/her biography as relevant to his/her theology; what is the method of the theologian; what is his/her main theological significance/contribution? Give some overall evaluation. Explain this to a modern, non-theological audience which preserving theological content.
2. Vat II
Indicate the occasion and agenda of Vat II; briefly outline the history and theological evolution of the Council; examine a particular text of Vat II – what is the significance of this text; how does it break new ground and also stand in continuity with previous tradition. Any significant post-Vat II developments? Explain this to a modern, non-theological audience which preserving theological content.
3. Christian Feminist Theology
What is Christian Feminist Theology and what are its concerns? This is not a Paper on feminism per se. How does it do theology? Indicate different feminist theological approaches – radical and reform in particular. Reference the issue of the gendering of God. While remaining within the RC tradition (out of which feminist theology emerged) reference briefly Christian Feminist theology influence or parallels with feminist theology in other religions. Critique feminist theology. Explain this to a modern, non-theological audience which preserving theological content.
4. Christian Liberation Theology
What is the background, method and characteristics of Liberation Theology? Indicate the historical development of Liberation Theology. Relate the method and agenda of Liberation Theology and ‘traditional theology’. Critique Liberation Theology. Explain this to a modern, non-theological audience which preserving theological content.
5. Christian Eschatology
Give a Christian understanding of Eschatology – ‘last things’ (death, judgment, heaven/hell). Distinguish between individual and general eschatology Situate Christian Eschatology in the context of Christ’s death and resurrection. Is eschatology relevant only to the end of life or can it be integrated into our now experience of living? Explain your understanding to a modern, non-theological audience. No more than a brief paragraph or a footnote should be given to Millennialism. Explain this to a modern, non-theological audience which preserving theological content.
6. Christian Salvation
What ‘content’ would you give to the concept salvation in the Christian tradition? With reference to theological positions, indicate how significant theologians demonstrate the Christ-event as salvific. Indicate and evaluate a model for understanding the death and resurrection of Jesus as a salvific event. Explain this to a modern, non-theological audience which preserving theological content.
7. Scope of Christian Salvation
From a Christian perspective is salvation available outside the Christian experience? Indicate the inclusive and exclusive attitudes regarding the scope of Christian salvation. Indicate and critique K. Rahner’s theory of the anonymous Christian. What is the Vat II position on the question of the scope of salvation (refer to Vat II texts)? Explain this to a modern, non-theological audience which preserving theological content.
8. Original Sin
Distinguish ‘original sin’ from ‘personal sin’. What is ‘sin of the world’ (not Jn 1:29 –see Henri Rondet), ‘structural sin’? Does original sin impact on how one understands the universal human condition? What implications for salvation does original sin raise? Explain this to a modern, non-theological audience which preserving theological content.
9. Comparative Religion/theology
If you background is non-Christian, trace leading comparisons and differences between the faith belief of your religion and Christianity (avoid the obvious and simplistic, do not avoid contemporary issues).
10. Other
A paper title is possible upon prior approval of the Professor – such alternatives must be presented in typed form well in advance of the due date. A non-approved Paper topic will be not be accepted.
An initial bibliography (not exhaustive) to help you get going…
Consult St. John’s Library Web page for resources. There you can find a resource link for Theology as a subject. Also available are databases for book, journals and e-texts.
A good reference will also contain further useful bibliographies. Visit the Campus bookstore and browse through textbooks in Theology. These textbooks are college level and could act as good sources as well and giving further bibliographical references.
Try also the following:
Some web sources — I can not vouch for all content on these websites and their various links, use at your discretion
Do NOT use:
Wikepedia.com and it spin-offs
Thinkchristian.com and its spin-offs
General
http://www.wabashcenter.wabash.edu/Internet/front.htm
http://www.shc.edu/theolibrary/theology.htm
http://www.shc.edu/theolibrary/
http://www.island-of-freedom.com/index.htm
http://www.usccb.org/ United States Catholic Conference of Bishops
http://www.catholic-forum.com/members/ccfjeff/#Church%20Documents%20 Catholic Resource
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/ – early Christian resources
http://www.library.yale.edu/div/bibleref.htm source for Bible
http://www.library.yale.edu/div/ntbi.htm source for NT
http://www.vatican.va/ – official Vatican website, check CDF (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith)
General Bibliography
The New Dictionary of Theology ed. D. Lane;
Dictionary of Theology ed. K. Rahner;
A Concise Dictionary of Theology ed. G. O’ Collins;
Dictionary of feminist Theologies ed. L. Russell;
Dictionary of Fundamental Theology ed. Laouterelle;
Dictionary of Historical Theology ed. T. Hart;
The Creed B. Marthaler;
Living Faith E. Flynn;
The Christian Theological Tradition ed. C. Cory, D. Landry.
See also the Cambridge Companion to… e.g. Feminist Theology and other various topics in theology
What are they saying about ….. Salvation, sin etc.
Specific areas (use in combination with above)
Method in Theology and Theologians
The Modern Theologian David Ford
http://www.theology.ie/theologs.htm
Vatican II
From http://www.factmonster.com/ce6/society/A0850544.html – a bit dated
See H. Küng, The Council, Reform, and Reunion (tr. 1962); H. Daniel-Rops, The Second Vatican Council (tr. 1962); D. C. Pawley, An Anglican View of the Vatican Council (1962, repr. 1973); W. M. Abbot, ed., Documents of Vatican II (1966); A. Gilbert, The Vatican Council and the Jews (1968); X. Rynne, Vatican Council II (1968); A. Flannery, ed., Vatican Council II: Constitutions, Decrees, Declarations (repr. 1996) and Vatican Council II: Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents (2 vol., repr. 1996)
http://www.utoronto.ca/stmikes/library/research_guides/rgvatican2.htm
Frank Holland, “Dei Verbum: Its historic break from curial ‘theology’ and its subsequent official use” in Vatican II: Forty Years Later (New York: Orbis Press, 2006).
Christian Feminist Theology
A. Clifford, Introduction to Feminist Theology;
E. Fiorenza, Bread not stone;
R. Reuther, Sexism and God-Talk
S. Shneiders, Beyond Patching;
A. Baňuelas, ed., Mestizo Christianity, esp. chapters 10 and 11 – a Latina Theology;
Kimel, ed. Speaking the Christian God (Michigan: Eerdmans, 1992) – a largely negative critique on Feminist Theology;.
Christian Liberation Theology
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19840806_theology-liberation_en.html – CDF statement on Liberation Theology
C. 0′ Donnell, “Liberation theology and ecclesiologies”
“Poor” – texts available from me by request;
R. Brown, Liberation Theology ;
McGovem, Liberation Theology and its Critics;
See John Paul II. “John Paul II at Puebla” http://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP791228.htm
Christian Eschatology
D. Lane, Keeping Hope Alive ;
M. Hellwig, What are they saying about Death and Christian Hope? ;
Check Dictionaries etc under ‘Heaven’, “Hell’, ‘Death’, ‘Judgment’, ‘Purgatory’, ‘Parousia’, ‘Reincarnation’.
Christian Salvation and scope of Christian Salvation
Check references to ‘Redemption’, ‘Soteriology’, ‘Anselm and his Theory of Satisfaction’; Rahner – ‘theory of the anonymous Christian’;
Fitzmyer, A Christological Catechism ;
B. Hill, Jesus the Christ ;
G. 0′ Collins, Christology ;
J. Fullenbach, The Kingdom of God;
Vat II – Lumen Gentium 14-16 ; Gaudium et Spes 22 ; Nostra Aetate;
Original Sin
P. Schoonberg, Man and Sin: a Theological view;
H. Rondet, Original sin: The patristic and theological background;
Stephen Duffy. “Our Hearts of Darkness: Original Sin. Revisited,” in Theological Studies 49 (1988): 597-622;
http://www.innerexplorations.com/chtheomortext/human.htm
http://www.firstthings.com/ftissues/ft9811/articles/oakes.html
Comparative Religion/theology
Consult with me if you are doing this topic.
Research Paper – Holland
All written work must be submitted in accordance with the rubrics and requirements of www.turnitin.com
Writing a Research Paper is an opportunity for the student to deepen an appreciation of one area of the course or to gain some knowledge of a new area.
Pay attention to instructions such as format of Paper: 1700 words minimum; excluding title page and Bibliography.
The Title page must contain the Title, your name, class and section, and date submitted. A complete and accurate Bibliography is also required.
The Paper takes its lead from the Title. There is absolutely no point or gain in writing on a topic that is not requested. Make sure you understand what the Title implies, if you are not sure – ask. An F will penalize a Paper that is not on a topic related to the course or not approved.
You could in the Introduction to the paper in a sentence or two indicate how you understand the Title and show how you intend to deal with it. A good structure is to have an introduction, main argument and conclusion. The introduction sets the topic in perspective. It is the first thing that the examiner reads and it should impress. But it needs to follow through into the main body of the Paper. The conclusion should round off the paper and summarize your argument.
Most topics are multi dimensional. There is rarely only one approach. Your argument must indicate that there are different valid approaches. Even if you are taking one line of thought, you must indicate at least an awareness of other arguments. See other views/opinions as dialogue partners to whom you must respond.
On the other hand, it is not sufficient to merely list different viewpoints without trying to form your own conclusion/interpretation – this is mere pasting. Two-thirds of the Paper should be original i.e. only one third (and preferably less than a third) should be direct quotation and/or strict paraphrasing
The examiner should have a sense that you are in control of your material and sources at all times. Being in control means that you are in charge of the information and that the information is not controlling you. You must show that the material you are using is understood by you. Never incorporate material into your Paper that you cannot demonstrate that you understand. If you don’t understand it simply don’t use it. If you do use material that you cannot show that you understand, this will be severely penalized.
Papers are in the realm of public discourse. As such there is an appropriate style. Slang/colloquial expressions or spellings (e.g. tho for though etc.)are not permitted. Never allow emotional outbursts to creep into your style. If you decide to disagree with a viewpoint, be sure you can substantiate your disagreement. If you can’t support your viewpoint, you have lost credibility and balance. Be temperate in your own argument lest you set yourself up for a fall.
You may make sense of what you wrote but don’t assume it is obvious to the reader/examiner. Get a friend/family member to read through it to check clarity of expression. Please proof read your paper. Bad syntax, sloppy presentation, lack of clarity will lose you marks.
The student is expected to offer a full and accurate bibliography, indicting works consulted and cited. Failure to fully acknowledge sources will be penalized to the point of automatic failure if necessary. The ratio between hard sources and online sources should be no less than 3:2.
Unless you indicate otherwise, your paper must express your own words, style and form. Obviously you must clearly acknowledge citations (indicating the reference text and page) but unacknowledged paraphrasing or summarizing of material will also be penalized. Moreover such paraphrasing must be in your own words, style and form. For example never use a word or concept in your paper that you do not understand or cannot explain if so required (and I may require such explanation).
References in your Bibliography are only acceptable if in fact they impact upon your paper by citation or by influencing your argument. I require you to indicate how the texts in your bibliography that are not used for citation purposes make their presence felt. In your paper you must indicate that the following paragraph or point is based on pp. s z of “Article A” or Book B on pp. s z states that… I must be easily able to distinguish between your ‘voice’ and those of your sources. Plagiarism will be rewarded with an automatic F (=0%) for the Paper, and insofar as other sanctions are available, these too will be applied to the utmost. It is up to the student to inform themselves as to what constitutes plagiarism. The burden is on you to understand what constitutes Plagiarism.
Footnotes or endnotes should be part of your manner of presentation, not just in citing sources but in developing points that may not be appropriately expressed in the body of the essay.
