Writing and Research: A Guide for Theological Students

by Kevin Gary Smith

Written in a simple yet engaging style, Dr Kevin Smith applies his years of experience and expertise in scholarly writing and research in this one-volume guide. Perfect as an introduction for new and continuing undergraduate or postgraduate students, this publication provides helpful guidelines and illustrations on all the elements that go into producing an academic work. Combining specific instruction on researching and preparing an academic work, as well as practical advice for task management, makes this an ideal go-to guide for students and supervisors alike.

219 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2016

Reviews

[Robbie Deacon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book succinctly equips the reader to write and research well in a seminary context. I personally found it quite dry, but that’s because I’m an undergraduate student who doesn’t need to apply the more complex research strategies described. It wouldn’t be fair to fault it; this is very valuable for those interested in doing Theological research and writing at the Masters or PHD level

[Sanjuro · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have, so far, used this as a textbook in my biblical exegesis research methods course. It is mostly helpful, but is held back considerably by a few unnecessary declarations in the middle of the book. These unhelpful declarations have caused me to begin looking at other options for a textbook.

The book covers all the main issues: methods for interpretation, finding sources, footnotes, structuring essays, etc. In most respects, this material is well organized and helpful.

However, beginning on pg. 131, in the section that covers exegesis, the author unhelpfully lays out his own convictions, such as that the Bible is "inerrant," as well as his rejection of reader-response theories and symbolic meanings in texts. Some of his convictions stated here would wreak havoc on our readings of all sorts of texts, such as parables or apocalyptic material. I had to spend 30 minutes of my class qualifying this whole section for my class, and it's time I'd rather have spent on other things.

[Tung · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is no reason for anyone to ever read this book unless it is required reading for a seminary class – which it was in this case. Essentially, this is the MLA Guide for seminary students: a how-to guide on how to do citations, structure papers, and create bibliographies. It’s readable and does it’s job, which is why it earns a 3; in terms of whether someone who isn’t taking seminary classes should read it, it’s a 0.

[Preston Young]

Indispensable for anyone writing a theological master’s thesis or PhD