Resources containing Theological / Biblical research topics list.

Hamilton Ramos
Hamilton Ramos Member Posts: 1,033
edited November 2024 in English Forum

Hi power users:

Are there any resources that have a list of possible theological / Biblical and the like topics for research?

There are some resources that give ideas on topics for research papers, but not a comprehensive list.

A short guide to writing research papers in theology. (2002). Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.

Jones, S., & Lakeland, P. (Eds.). (2005). A Short Guide to Writing Research Papers in Theology. Fortress Press.

A Short Guide to Writing Research Papers on the History of Christianity. (2006). Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.

Vyhmeister, N. J., & Robertson, T. D. (2014). Quality research papers: for students of religion and theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

This one suggests looking at encyclopedias like:

"Textbooks are a good place to start. Dictionaries and encyclopedias may also be helpful. They do not provide topics as such, but they can help to clarify parameters and provide basic information.

The following sources provide a starting place. The first two are good, however dated, general religious encyclopedias. The third and fourth are more up to date:

Hastings, James, ed. Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics. 12 vols. and index. Revised and corrected edition. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1994. (Other editions exist; available online.)

The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge. 12 vols. and index. New York: Funk and Wagnalls, 1908 – 1912; reprint, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1955. (Available online.)

Eliade, Mircea, ed. Encyclopedia of Religion. 16 vols. Reprint of 1987 edition. New York: Simon & Schuster Macmillan, 1996.

This last one is now updated to:

Jones, Lindsay, Mircea Eliade, and Charles Adams, eds. Encyclopedia of Religion. 15 vols. 2nd ed. Detroit: Macmillan, 2005."

 Vyhmeister, N. J., & Robertson, T. D. (2014). Quality research papers: for students of religion and theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

It would be great to have a resource which listed a good amount of possible research papers per area say in Systematic and / or Biblical theology, and maybe some relevant Bible passages, and links to some good resources much like the "Catholic topical index" would do.

That would allow regular sheep to get into particular topics in a auto didactic way using L8.

Thanks for your thoughts on this ahead of time.

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Comments

  • David Taylor, Jr.
    David Taylor, Jr. Member Posts: 4,377 ✭✭✭

    Honestly just the Theology Guides in L8 provide a wealth of topics to do research on.

  • MJ. Smith
    MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 53,762

    Are there any resources that have a list of possible theological / Biblical and the like topics for research?

    I've seen nothing along these lines for any subject. The closest I've seen are short list of open questions.

    Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."

  • Rosie Perera
    Rosie Perera Member Posts: 26,202 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Are there any resources that have a list of possible theological / Biblical and the like topics for research?

    Do a Google search for: theology syllabus research "paper topics"

    You'll find that a lot of professors provide suggested research paper topics in their syllabi. Others provide such lists only upon request.

  • Hamilton Ramos
    Hamilton Ramos Member Posts: 1,033

    Correct David, I just think that many monographs, have a wealth of info that has not been systematically organized.

    If a resource existed that had thousands of topics for research, I would think that many students would be more attracted to L8.

    Who knows, maybe even secular career students if you were to put topics in application also.

    Just a thought.

  • Hamilton Ramos
    Hamilton Ramos Member Posts: 1,033

    Yes MJ, the closest was when you posted preaching themes list in tip of the day, but it would be awesome to have an encyclopedia of research topics available.

    Just listing of topics and maybe some references to best resources, it would facilitate things a lot to many students.

  • Hamilton Ramos
    Hamilton Ramos Member Posts: 1,033

    LOL, teachers know best... thanks Rosie.

    Others provide such lists only upon request.

    If one teacher was to make a resource just listing interesting tentative topics, would probably make some bucks selling it in FL ebks.