BIBL 450

RESEARCH PAPER INSTRUCTIONS

Two research papers are required by all students in this course. Each paper should be 810 double-spaced pages in length, although you should consider this as a general guideline (longer papers will not be penalized, and a shorter paper, if very well done, could be an "A" quality paper). Each paper is a research paper, meaning that quality of research does impact the grade of the paper. You should plan ahead in developing a strategy for securing resources for each paper. Internet sources, while not forbidden, are generally discouraged as they are often of dubious quality. With this in mind, you should aim to use at least five quality sources for each paper, including, but not limited to, commentaries and journal articles. Papers will be graded based upon the clarity and style with which they were written, quality of research, the strength of the arguments made, and the depth of support provided through scripture. All sources should be cited through footnotes. Bible references may be cited in-text. Papers should also include a proper bibliography of all sources cited (besides the Bible, which is not considered a bibliography source). Each paper must be completed in Turabian format and using Microsoft Word. Research Paper 1: After researching material on Daniel 9:24-27, you will write an exegetical/expositional research paper detailing your own verse-by-verse, point-by-point interpretation of this important prophetic text. In this paper you will need to describe your own approach to Daniels Prophecy of Seventy Weeks, but in doing so, you must also interact with the various approaches that have been suggested by individual commentators and broader eschatological/theological systems. Specifically, be sure to describe the details pertaining to the fulfillment of this prophecy, the starting time and event for the prophecy, the division of the weeks within the prophecy, and the purpose of the prophecy. Research Paper 1 is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of Module/Week 5. Research Paper 2: After researching material on the 1000 years of Revelation 20:1-6 (the millennium), write a paper supporting the millennial view that you believe is best supported by scripture. Because this topic is both exegetical (in reference to Revelation 20:1-6) and theological (in reference to millennial systems), you may extend your biblical research beyond the confines of the book of Revelation. Specifically, be sure to describe the details pertaining to the nature of the millennium, the timing of the millennium (in relation to the Second Coming of Christ), the duration of the millennium, the occupants of the millennial kingdom, and the relationship of Israel and the church to the millennial kingdom. In the process of writing your paper, make sure that you interact with the other views (other than your own), and make sure that you provide some reasons why you do not support alternate viewpoints. If you believe that there are strengths in each viewpoint, you are free to reference those strengths; if you do not believe that you can be conclusive at this point in time, you can take an undecided position. Whatever your conclusions might be, the key to writing a quality paper is that you interact with the arguments for each position and provide clear exegetical/theological rationale for the position that you hold. Research Paper 2 is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday of Module/Week 8.