Christian Doctrine Theology Research Paper Topics: Sharing Gospel with a Non-believer

Christian Doctrine Research Paper

Part One: Pick a Topic. Form a Question.

Theological questions arise from a variety of sources. We may be curious about a topic, a challenge may arise in the church, or a friend may ask us a question. Personal Bible reading may reveal a topic that we had not considered before. Whatever its origins, we now have a question. What does God teach us about this topic? Or how is the Christian to respond to this issue?



The more specific the question, the more helpful and focused the answer can be. As we formulate the question to be studied, it may become apparent that it really is several questions combined. The various elements of the question may all need to be considered.

Answer these three questions:

1.What Biblical topic are you interested in?

2.What question are you trying to answer?

3.What is your starting suggestion/hypothesis (what answer do you expect to find)?



Write a paragraph which states your chosen research question. Explain why you have chosen this question and give a hypothesis of what answer you expect to find. Send that paragraph to me as the proposed topic for your paper. After it is approved or refined and approved, you may proceed to Part Two.



Part Two: Biblical Research (Paper Preparation)

Make a list of all the passages related to your topic that you intend to at least reference in your paper

List and write out the verses you intend to reference in your paper. Give a simple summary of what the Bible teaches about your chosen topic. Make this at least twenty sentences.



Part Three: Theological Research (Paper Preparation)

Now it is time to gather and selectively read helpful theological sources on your doctrinal topic. Journal articles within Lutheran scholarship can be searched here (type in keywords related to your topic in the search field at the top). You might also check out graduate papers or essays written by someone with a theological education, like a pastor or seminary professor.



Once you have selected your sources create your annotated bibliography (aka “Works Cited”) following MLA format. As you read, make sure that you annotate your bibliography. Take notes! Summarize and analyze the content in each source, citing the page numbers. This will make writing your paper much easier later.



Find at least three other studies that have been conducted on the same topic. One study must come from a book or magazine article. If that book or magazine article is found on-line it is still acceptable. Compare and contrast the differences between the findings of your study and these two studies.

Write a paragraph summarizing what other sources beyond the Bible say about your topic. Ten sentences minimum per reference.



Theology is not a merely academic discipline. We do not research theological issues simply to answer abstract questions. Christian theology is a practical discipline – it is meant to be applied. We are to use the theological insights that have been found” (Called to Believe, Teach, and Confess p. 18).

Write a paragraph explaining how this teaching applies to God’s people in real life. Twenty sentences minimum.



Part Four: Organize Your Findings and Outlining Your Research Paper (Paper Preparation)

Having gathered the relevant biblical materials and theological materials, we next begin to organize the materials into a coherent whole. In this step you will create a robust outline of your paper. Follow the skeletal pattern below as you create your outline:



I. Introduction -- Write a creative introduction to your topic that captures attention and interest. Briefly discuss the significance of the topic in general and its importance for you personally. Finish the introduction with your well-written thesis statement.

A. Thesis Statement – This summarizes the main argument of your paper in a single sentence. This should generally be the last sentence in your Introduction. A well-crafted thesis contains each main point of your argument in a concise, compound sentence. Spend some time here making sure your thesis is solid.

II. Main Point #1 – Start your second paragraph with your first main point.

A. Supporting Details from Scripture

B. Supporting Details from Theological Research

III. Main Point #2

A. Supporting Details from Scripture

B. Supporting Details from Theological Research

IV. Main Points #3, #4, etc. in the same format as #1 and #2

V. Refute a Counter-argument. At some point within your paper it will be good to acknowledge and refute a heterodox view on your doctrinal topic. Use primarily Scripture to do this, drawing from theological support only as it supports clear usage of biblical passages.

VI. Conclusion – Briefly restate your main points that support your thesis. Do not include any new ideas here. The best conclusions bring the Introduction full circle.



Part Five: Rough Draft

Flesh out your outline it out so that you have incorporated your thoughts into the points under the outline headings.



Part Six: Final Paper

This paper should be well-written and coherent reflecting all the work that you put in to this point.

Paper must be spell-checked and grammar checked.

Final Paper should be 6-8 pages.

MLA Format: Times New Roman. 12 point font. Double spaced. 1 inch margins.

Citations on the last page

Christian Doctrine Research Paper

Part One: Pick a Topic. Form a Question.

Theological questions arise from a variety of sources. We may be curious about a topic, a challenge may arise in the church, or a friend may ask us a question. Personal Bible reading may reveal a topic that we had not considered before. Whatever its origins, we now have a question. What does God teach us about this topic? Or how is the Christian to respond to this issue?

The more specific the question, the more helpful and focused the answer can be. As we formulate the question to be studied, it may become apparent that it really is several questions combined. The various elements of the question may all need to be considered.

Answer these three questions:

1. What Biblical topic are you interested in?







2. What question are you trying to answer?







3. What is your starting suggestion/hypothesis (what answer do you expect to find)?

Write a paragraph which states your chosen research question. Explain why you have chosen this question and give a hypothesis of what answer you expect to find. Send that paragraph to me as the proposed topic for your paper. After it is approved or refined and approved, you may proceed to Part Two.

Part Two: Biblical Research (Paper Preparation)

Make a list of all the passages related to your topic that you intend to at least reference in your paper

List and write out the verses you intend to reference in your paper. Give a simple summary of what the Bible teaches about your chosen topic. Make this at least twenty sentences.

Part Three: Theological Research (Paper Preparation)

Now it is time to gather and selectively read helpful theological sources on your doctrinal topic. Journal articles within Lutheran scholarship can be searched here (type in keywords related to your topic in the search field at the top). You might also check out graduate papers or essays written by someone with a theological education, like a pastor or seminary professor.

Once you have selected your sources create your annotated bibliography (aka “Works Cited”) following MLA format. As you read, make sure that you annotate your bibliography. Take notes! Summarize and analyze the content in each source, citing the page numbers. This will make writing your paper much easier later.

Find at least three other studies that have been conducted on the same topic.  One study must come from a book or magazine article. If that book or magazine article is found on-line it is still acceptable. Compare and contrast the differences between the findings of your study and these two studies. 

Write a paragraph summarizing what other sources beyond the Bible say about your topic. Ten sentences minimum per reference.

Theology is not a merely academic discipline. We do not research theological issues simply to answer abstract questions. Christian theology is a practical discipline – it is meant to be applied. We are to use the theological insights that have been found” (Called to Believe, Teach, and Confess p. 18). 

Write a paragraph explaining how this teaching applies to God’s people in real life. Twenty sentences minimum.

Part Four: Organize Your Findings and Outlining Your Research Paper (Paper Preparation)

Having gathered the relevant biblical materials and theological materials, we next begin to organize the materials into a coherent whole. In this step you will create a robust outline of your paper. Follow the skeletal pattern below as you create your outline:

I.     Introduction -- Write a creative introduction to your topic that captures attention and interest. Briefly discuss the significance of the topic in general and its importance for you personally. Finish the introduction with your well-written thesis statement.

A.    Thesis Statement – This summarizes the main argument of your paper in a single sentence. This should generally be the last sentence in your Introduction. A well-crafted thesis contains each main point of your argument in a concise, compound sentence. Spend some time here making sure your thesis is solid.

II.    Main Point #1 – Start your second paragraph with your first main point.

        A.   Supporting Details from Scripture

        B.    Supporting Details from Theological Research

III.   Main Point #2

        A.   Supporting Details from Scripture

        B.    Supporting Details from Theological Research

IV. Main Points #3, #4, etc. in the same format as #1 and #2

V.    Refute a Counter-argument. At some point within your paper it will be good to acknowledge and refute a heterodox view on your doctrinal topic. Use primarily Scripture to do this, drawing from theological support only as it supports clear usage of biblical passages.

VI.  Conclusion – Briefly restate your main points that support your thesis. Do not include any new ideas here. The best conclusions bring the Introduction full circle.

Part Five: Rough Draft

Flesh out your outline it out so that you have incorporated your thoughts into the points under the outline headings.

Part Six: Final Paper

This paper should be well-written and coherent reflecting all the work that you put in to this point.

Paper must be spell-checked and grammar checked.

Final Paper should be 6-8 pages.

MLA Format: Times New Roman. 12 point font. Double spaced. 1 inch margins.

Citations on the last page