Aligns with Course Objectives:

Perform basic academic research tasks toward the completion of various assigned academic work
Write an undergraduate-level essay appropriate for a variety of assigned tasks and topics

Purpose

This paper is designed to help you cultivate research and writing skills as you consider the meaning of the Kingdom in Scripture. Below are the requirements for the paper. The paper will be graded according to the attached rubric of Unit 8: Kingdom Research Paper Final Submission.

Setting the Stage

Each student will be required to write an 8-10 page paper (not including coverage and bibliography) addressing the meaning of the Kingdom of God in Scripture. The final version of the Kingdom Research Paper will consist of cover page, bibliography, and sources from 5 books, 3 journal articles, and 1 entry from a Bible dictionary/encyclopedia (such as the New Dictionary of Biblical Theology, Dictionary of the Old Testament: Prophets, Dictionary of Scripture & Ethics, etc.). Make sure your sources are all of good academic quality e.g. avoid blog posts and study Bibles. Papers will follow the Midwestern Style Manual for formatting. An initial bibliography and preliminary thesis statement will be submitted early in the term to ensure a clear direction, so make sure to check the schedule for due dates. Each section will include a rubric which gives further clarification on expectations.

The final research paper will consist of four distinct sections. The first part will involve writing an introduction, a clear thesis statement, and an outline statement of how your paper will be structured. The second section will involve researching the concept of "Kingdom of God" in the Old Testament. The third section involves exploring the Kingdom in the New Testament. The final section will address the implications of the Kingdom of God for your life and ministry.

Note on Resources:

Joshua Search (for online articles and EBoooks) by The Mark T. Coppenger Library at Spurgeon College/Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary: Mark T. Coppenger Library Website

OT/NT Commentaries (Accessible for Spurgeon College Students through the Mark T. Coppenger Library): Online Commentaries

Schreiner, Patrick. The Kingdom of God and the Glory of the Cross. Wheaton, Il.: Crossway, 2018. ISBN: 978-1433558238. This book is not a required textbook, but is a good resource for this assignment. It is available for free on the Online Commentaries seen above.

Task

Below are explanations of each section's instructions:

Section One (Introduction - 1/2-3/4 page): This section draws your reader in and orients them to the topic and argument that will follow. It will include clearly identifiable thesis statement (“This paper will argue X”) and a brief outline of major sections of the paper. Your thesis statement should state something like: "this paper will argue the Kingdom of God is * based on the biblical evidence from the Old and New Testament, therefore X is the implications of the Kingdom for life and ministry." The thesis statement says what you are going to argue; the outline describes how you are going to argue it. The thesis statement (not the entire introduction) will be submitted separately by Week 4.

Section Two (Biblical/Theological Research on the "Kingdom" in the Old Testament - 2-3 pages): This section will include original research on the kingdom of God in the Old Testament. What is the kingdom of God? Where do we learn about God’s kingdom in the OT? What passages are most relevant for understanding the kingdom in the OT? How does the Bible describe the kingdom in relation to God’s people? Note that the Kingdom is much broader than the exact phrase “Kingdom of God,” so consider how the OT presents the kingship and reign of God more broadly. This section is not simply a long list of verses! You must synthesize your research into a logical progression of thought. You are presenting your conclusions, not the raw data of your research. When analyzing the biblical material, ask the “what, who, when, why, how” of the kingdom of God in the OT. This section should clearly support your thesis statement.

Section Three (Biblical/Theological Research on the "Kingdom" in the New Testament - 2-3 pages): This section will include original research on the kingdom of God in the New Testament. How does the NT portray the kingdom of God? What passages are most relevant for understanding the kingdom in the NT? How does NT’s presentation of God’s Kingdom develop the OT concept? As with the previous section, do not simply include a long list of verses. You must provide a clear and coherent synthesis of your research. When analyzing the biblical material, ask the “what, who, when, why, how” of the kingdom of God in the NT. This section should clearly support your thesis statement.

Section Four (Implications of the Kingdom for Life and Ministry - 2-3 pages) This section will bring the previous sections to bear on your life and calling. How does your understanding of the Bible’s teaching on the kingdom affect how you live and serve? What does it look like for your to be “for the kingdom” where God has placed you? How does the kingdom shape your time at Spurgeon College? How can your vocation flow from your understanding of the kingdom? How does the kingdom shape your involvement in the local church.

Final Paper: Unit 8: Kingdom Research Paper: The Kingdom Research Paper must have a cover page, bibliography, and have sources from 5 books, 3 journal articles, and one entry from a dictionary/encyclopedia. Do not include blogs, webpages, or quotes from your smart friend. You will submit your work as a Word document (.doc or .docx) or PDF under the appropriate link in Canvas. The Unit 8: Kingdom Research Paper is due by the end of Unit 8.

Writing Resources

Don't forget to review the Writer's Studio resources page: Introduction to the Writer's Studio
Online Library resources are available through our Midwestern website: https://www.mbts.edu/current-students/library-databases/

Due Dates

Unit 4: Kingdom Research Paper Thesis
- Unit 4: Kingdom Research Paper Thesis is due by Sunday at 11:59 PM (CT) at the end of Unit 4.
Unit 8: Kingdom Research Paper
- Unit 8: Kingdom Research Paper is due by Thursday at 11:59 PM (CT) at the end of Unit 8.