Apologetics Term Paper-Fall 2017

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  • Unpublished resources, especially blogs, webpages, and Wikipedia should generally be avoided.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

  • The Problem of Evil
  • If God is good and omnipotent, why is there suffering in the world?
  • Copan, Paul. Is God a Moral Monster? Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2011.
  • D’Souza, Dinesh. Godforsaken: Bad Things Happen. Is There a God Who Cares? Yes. Here’s Proof. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 2012.
  • Lewis, C. S. The Problem of Pain. New York, NY: Harper Collins, 1940.
  • Hines, Tony. “The Atheistic Explanation for Evil: Houston, We Have a Problem.” Conservative Theological Journal Volume 7, 2003.
  • Stoffer, Dale R. “The Problem of Evil: An Historical Theological Approach Evil.” Ashland Theological Journal Volume 24, 1992.
  • The Apologetic Value of Miracles
  • Scripture affirms that God has used miracles to help identify spiritual truth.
  • Craig, William Lane. Reasonable Faith : Christian Truth and Apologetics. Rev. ed. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 1994.
  • Eichhorst, William. “The Gospel Miracles—Their Nature and Apologetic Value” Grace Journal Volume 9 (Fall 1968), 9-21.
  • Geisler, Norman L. Miracles and the Modern Mind: A Defense of Biblical Miracles. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1992.
  • Larson, Mark J. “Three Centuries of Objections to Biblical Miracles.” Bibliotheca Sacra 160 (2003).
  • Classical or Presuppositional Apologetics
  • Geisler, Norman L. Christian Apologetics. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1976.
  • Gundry, Stanley N., and Steven B. Cowen, eds. Five Views on Apologetics. Zondervan Counterpoints Collection. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000.
  • McCune, Rolland D. “The New Evangelicalism And Apologetics.” Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal Volume 6, 2001.
  • Payne, Michael W. “Epistemological Crises, Dramatic Narratives, and Apologetics: The Ad Hominem Once More.” Westminster Theological Journal 64, no. 1 (2002): 95–117.
  • Historical Reliability of the Book of Acts
  • Janeway, Brian. “Is the Acts of the Apostles Historically Reliable? Part 1 of 2.” Chafer Theological Seminary Journal Volume 5, 1999.
  • _____, Brian. “Is the Acts of the Apostles Historically Reliable? Part 2 of 2.” Chafer Theological Seminary Journal Volume 5, 1999.
  • Ommeren, Nicholas M. van. “Was Luke an Accurate Historian?” Bibliotheca Sacra 148 (1991).
  • Polhill, John B. Acts. Vol. 26. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992.