From Topic to Thesis: A Guide to Theological Research

Does exactly what it’s intended- it’s a step by step aide for developing a basic (but well done) research paper. One that’s quite small and easy to keep in the backpack for quick reference as you check back for each phase of research and writing. Practical and quick to read through- even if you procrastinated and are panicking because you’re behind, it’s worth starting here to calm some nerves and plug away at the process, even if you feel like you don’t have enough time.

The author recommends going through his book as you work through a research project. I read it straight first, and can only imagine it's increased benefit as a resource alongside an actual project timeline. Excellent advice, well written. I feel like I've been visiting with a trusted mentor, and walked away encouraged and confident to tackle a project. It's a short book, but it is clear and concise in ways that are truly helpful.

If you are a beginning theological student, you must own and read this book. I teach an Introduction to Theological Research course at an evangelical Seminary in the United States and this book will be assigned to my students beginning in the Fall semester of 2016. Kibbe offers a clear, concise guide to theological research that will help students understand the expectations of theological faculty. Especially helpful is the chapter on identifying and using sources. The excursus on mistakes that students make in using research sources is worth the price of the book. Also note the appendix on navigating the ATLA Religion Database, one of the most essential resources for theological research.

Dr. Michael–Mike–Kibbe has done a tremendous job providing this short yet mighty work for budding seminarians (like me!). He is honest and encouraging at what might seem elitist to some, baffling to others, and daunting and invigorating to theological students. His witty jokes and illuminating examples are true to Dr. Kibbe. I’ve had the honor of sitting down with once while he was finishing up his Ph.D dissertation at Wheaton College: he’s well loved amongst his students, peers, and supervisors. Highly recommended for any starting or current seminarian (or undergraduate Bible/Theology/Religious students).[...]

I thought this was going to be one of those super boring books that you're professor makes you read because he has to but this book was SUPER helpful and entertaining. If you're new to theological writing or just need a brush up this is a great book.

I am currently in school for a degree in leadership and minstery. This is a must have book for anyone who will be writing papers in a biblical way. I rented this book for my English class then bought it on here for me to have as a reference.

Wonderful deal, Great product

It has been far too long since I have had to write an “academic” paper, and certainly not one for the humanities! Dr. Kibbe’s work provides a good step-by-step framework for getting organized around a topic, doing your research, and assembling what you need to make a coherent thesis and defend it. I feel like I’m a little better prepared for my new academic journey!

Given the finite amount of time and energy that undergraduateand graduate students have to learn effective research and writingskills, alongside the limited amount of resources that facultyoften have to cover these same fundamentals, many have undoubtedlydesired a clear, succinct manual to accurately explainthe mechanics of theological/biblical studies research. FromTopic to Thesis: A Guide to Theological Research is a userfriendlyguide whose goal is to “take students directly from a researchassignment to a research argument—in other words, fromtopic to thesis” (back cover, emphasis original).In addition to a brief introduction, conclusion, subject index,and six helpful appendices, From Topic to Thesis is divided intofive chapters, each of which cover one of the five steps involvedin moving from topic (assignment) to thesis (argument), namely:(1) “Finding Direction,” (2) “Gathering Sources,” (3) “UnderstandingIssues,” (4) “Entering Discussion,” and (5) “EstablishingPosition.” The volume is intentionally designed to be read asa step-by-step hand-book for how to ‘assemble’ a quality researchpaper for students of religion, Bible, and theology.Kibbe statesLike an instruction manual, this book is designed to be as short aspossible—complete step one, step two, etc., then stand back and admireyour finished product. Theological research isn’t quite as simpleas assembling a piece of furniture, but the basic idea is the same: takecertain steps involving these pieces and not those pieces, in this orderand not that order, and when you’re done you’ll have a product youcan be proud of (13).Each chapter provides insightful and helpful tips on how topractically complete each of the five main steps noted above. Atthe end of each chapter is a summary of the preceding material inspecially framed and shaded boxes that draw attention to themain elements of that specific chapter. In order to help illustratethe “practical realities” of the step at hand, the author also providesshort, personal descriptions of two research papers that hewrote as a student (50). Given that the volume’s target audience(Christian university/bible college/seminary students) usuallytake some combination of biblical and theological courses, theauthor has prudently chosen to offer one example from each oneof these two disciplines.The biblical studies example involves a seminary course onthe Gospels in which the author was assigned an eight to tenpage research paper on the Kingdom of God within the Gospelof Mark. Throughout the book, in a clear (but not overly simplistic)step by step manner, the author explains what he did in orderto write the paper: what worked well for him, certain challengesthat he faced, and a few specific mistakes/errors that he alsomade (so as to warn future researchers not to repeat any of hismissteps). The theological studies example came from a graduatecourse on the doctrine of God in which the professor requestedtheir students write a fifteen to twenty page paper that pertainedto the course subject matter. The delineation of how the authorapproached these two (quite different) assignments will most assuredlybe of service to the readers of this book.Throughout the volume, the author makes clear the differencesamong and the inherent research value of primary, secondary,and tertiary sources. The author explicitly states: “Researchis first and foremost about primary sources” (64, see too page74). There are also numerous (but not overwhelmingly many)personal stories and shared experiences of the author’s own personaljourneys (both for ill and for better) in these areas. Oneshould also mention the two extremely useful excursus that theauthor provides, which are helpfully set-off from the rest of thetext with special formatting and shading for ease of use.These two short excursus (which, regrettably, are not clearlynoted in the table of contents) are as follows: (1) “CommonResearch Mistakes With Sources,” wherein the author highlightsthe dangers of using various internet and non-scholarly sourcesand discusses how to exercise a judicious use of sources, includingthe importance of noting using only one type of source (suchas being overly reliant on commentaries) or focusing too narrowlyon only one element of a (sub)discipline in one’s research(such as focusing on the historical elements of a particular topicto the neglect of it’s literary or theological aspects, etc.). Withinthis excursus the author also notes the necessity of engaging withsources that one does not necessarily agree with, stating, “presentingand interacting with the evidence against your thesis is acritical part of a research paper” (62–emphasis original). (2)“Common Research Mistakes in Interaction,” wherein the authornotes the ineffectiveness of depending too much on tertiary andsecondary sources (to the neglect of primary sources), as well asthe need to curb the amount of direct quotations that one uses intheir paper. The author maintains: “if you can say it in your ownwords, do so . . . if you can’t say it in your own words, study ituntil you can . . . You should only quote when you value how ascholar says something; if only the content itself is valuable, paraphrase”(74–emphasis original).As noted above, the book also includes six appendices thatcover a variety of topics. Appendix A delineates ten things thatone should never do in a theological research paper, such as forgettingto identify your thesis or making personal attacks onscholars that one disagrees with. Appendix B is something of anannotated bibliography of five key books that one is encouragedto have on hand during the research and writing process, namelythe SBL Handbook of Style 2nd ed. by Collins et al., eds. (SBLPress, 2014), A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses,and Dissertations 8th ed. by Turabian (University of ChicagoPress, 2013, 9th ed. 2018), The Chicago Manual of Style 16th ed.(University of Chicago Press, 2010, 17th ed. 2017), The Craft ofResearch 3rd ed. by Booth et al., (University of Chicago Press,2008, 4th ed., 2016), and Your Guide to Writing QualityResearch Papers by Vymeister 2nd ed. (Zondervan, 2008, 3rded. 2014). One notes, however, the conspicuous absence ofRobert Hudson’s The Christian Writer’s Manual of Style 4th ed.(Zondervan, 2016). Appendix C is a partial list (briefly annotated) of some scholarlytheological resources that one may find helpful in the researchprocess. Appendix D delineates how to navigate theATLA religion database and Appendix E highlights how to usethe Zotero bibliography software. Lastly, Appendix F provides asuggested timeline for theological research papers—assuming asixteen-week course.By the way critique, I must be clear that I have very few quibbleswith this handbook. Its clear and ‘to the point’ writing style,combined with the author’s highly engaging (even entertaining)prose, make it an easy and enjoyable read. The accurate and upto date recommendations with respect to source materials andother tools are also highly commendable. That being said, however,it would have, perhaps, behooved the author to have at leastnoted some of the annotated bibliography volumes that wereavailable to him at the time of publication so as to help ease theburden of the fledgling student.Also, as with many of these types of books, one can alwaysnote a few particular resources that perhaps should also havebeen included as well. Two volumes, in particular, should havebeen noted under the section of resources for “ancient Near Easterntexts,” namely (1) Kenton Spark’s Ancient Texts for theStudy of the Hebrew Bible: A Guide to the Background Literature(Baker, 2010) and (2) Bill T. Arnold and Bryan E. Beyer’sReadings from the Ancient Near East: Primary Sources for OldTestament Study (Baker, 2002). Lastly, one may perhaps wonder if the author ‘sings the praises’ of Zotero too highly as compared to other bibliographic/reference-management devices (like Endnote, Bookends, Mendeley,Qiqqa, and Sente).To conclude, the author states that “my hope is that this thisbook not only enables you to do theological research but also toenjoy it” (90). With Kibbe’s From Topic to Thesis: A Guide toTheological Research in hand, the process can indeed be madeless painful. Its primary users will be theological/biblical studiesstudents. For faculty who are looking for a good text that pertainsspecifically to the areas of research and writing (either for acourse that is specifically dedicated to those fields or perhaps toadd as a supplement to another course) From Topic to Thesis is asolid choice.

Very useful guide to kick start study

Great book. Good price

Clear path to follow on the thesis journey.

Excellent guide for undergraduate course assignments as well as graduate theses in Theological studies. Pairs perfectly with courses such as Gordon-Conwell CT490 Basic Writing Enhancements and CT500 Introduction to Theological Research (both taught today by Dr. Bob Mayer). I am a 2009 Gordon-Conwell alumnus and a 1991 M.A.(University of Manitoba).