Exegesis Research Paper Guidelines1. Select one passage from this list (Matthew 5: 1-12, Matthew 15:21-28, Matthew 25:31-46)and analyze that text using a reading strategy from this list (Liberation Th

Exegesis Research Paper Guidelines

1. Select one passage from this list (Matthew 5: 1-12, Matthew 15:21-28, Matthew 25:31-46)

and analyze that text using a reading strategy from this list (Liberation Theology,

Postcolonialism, or Social Criticism). In the first couple of weeks of class, you should

determine what passage and reading strategy your will use for your paper. This will help you

work on your paper throughout the course and nuance the research you do.

2. This is an academic research paper that should help you understand how to write a basic

academic paper in biblical studies. Making use of a theological library will be incredibly

helpful in this enterprise. If you cannot come to campus to do this, find a good theological

library in your own area and make use of it. Also, learn how to navigate and use the ITC

Library website for your remote research needs. For this paper, there are two important

sources that need to be used:

2.1. Critical Commentaries

Standard critical commentaries may be found in the library’s reference room (with some

duplicate volumes in the main stacks available for checkout. Most of the best

commentaries are included in series. The following series are highly recommended:

New Interpreter’s Bible

Sacra Pagina (SP)

Abingdon New Testament Commentaries (ANTC)

Yale Anchor Bible (AB)

New International Critical Commentary on the New Testament (NICNT)

New Testament Library (NT)

Smyth & Helwys (SH)

Hermeneia

Word Biblical Commentary (WBC)

Pillar New Testament Commentaries (PNTC)

Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (BECNT)

While there are some good commentaries that are not part of a series, please consult with

me before you use them. Also, do not use commentaries that are not academic in nature.

If you have any questions about this, please ask me. An example of such commentaries

is Matthew Henry.

You should use at least 3-4 commentaries for your paper.

2.2. Academic Journal Articles

These are accessible through the ATLA data base on the Union Library site. To search,

you may use passage references (e.g. Luke 6:20-26) or topics (e.g. Feminist reading of

Matthew 15:21-28). 

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There are readily downloadable pdf. versions of many of these articles. Others can be

easily found in the hard copy journals in the library.

You must consult at least 4 academic articles for this paper.

3. The primary focus of this paper is utilize a particular reading strategy to exegete a biblical

passage in order to create meaning around the figure of Jesus in a particular gospel. Don’t

simply describe the text but analyze the text from the point of view of the reading strategy you

are employing. This will help you understand the text and, maybe more importantly, what you

are doing with the text (or what you are doing with the Jesus in the text). How does a reading

strategy significantly impact the meaning/Jesus that is produced from the text/reader?

4. In your last paragraph, describe how your particular reading strategy can be a helpful tool in

sermon preparation, congregational care, etc.

5. The paper should be 1,750-2,000 words in length (7-8 pages, double-spaced, 12 point Times

New Roman font)in length, written as an academic/graduate level, and follow the SBL

Handbook of Style for biblical references and footnotes. Footnotes should include full

bibliographic information in the first citation and then abbreviated form thereafter. No

separate bibliography is required at the end, except if you choose to list some “Works

Consulted” that were not incorporated into your paper.

Here are some basic samples of proper footnote style:

Basic Commentary in a Series

Author First Name, Author Last Name, Title of Book (Series [you may use abbreviation] and

Number [if available]; City of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication), Page Number(s).

Raymond F. Collins, First Corinthians (SP 7; Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2006), 28-

35.

New Interpreter’s Bible (a special case)

Author First Name, Author Last Name, “Article Title of Commentary,” in Long Title of

Entire Volume. Vol. Number of New Interpreter’s Bible (ed. Leander E. Keck; Nashville:

Abingdon Press, Year of Publication of particular volume), Page Number(s).

N. T. Wright, “Letter to the Romans,” in Acts, Introduction to Epistolary Literature, Letter to

the Romans, First Letter to the Corinthians. Vol. 10 of New Interpreter’s Bible (ed. Leander

E. Keck; Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2002), 538- 789.