Theology professors may want to assign this new little book as required reading:

Michael P. Jensen. How to Write a Theology Essay. London: Latimer Trust, 2012. 78 pp.

Each of the twenty chapters (titles in bold below) ends with a bullet-point summary:

1. How not to lose heart before you start

• The topics of theology really matter
• The knowledge of God is not the preserve of the very clever
• Starting to write theology is a challenge that can be fun!

2. What is theology in any case?

• Theology is a species of reason, subject to the Word of God
• Theology is a form of speech
• Theology is evangelical: it about God and his deeds
• Theology is evangelistic: it is an invitation to submit to the Lordship of Christ

3. What is a theology essay?

• An essay is an invitation to persuade
• The object of the theology essay is to say true things about God
• The theology essay deals with ideas and concepts
• It is not merely a summary of Scripture

4. The responsibility of theology

• Theology is answerable to God and must be done with prayerful reverence
• Theology is best done in service to God and his people

5. Choosing the question

• Choose a topic that interests you, but look carefully at the question
• Avoid a topic that is a contemporary church controversy where possible
• Consider what others are doing

6. Analysing the question

• What higher level task am I being asked to do, explicitly or implicitly?
• Am I being asked to find a cause or a purpose, or trace a connection, or describe something?
• What is the measure I am being asked to use, explicitly or implicitly?
• Where is my question located in the context of the ongoing theological conversation?
• Are there any extra features of the question that I have to take into account?

7. Beginning to think about it

• Get your brain moving early on
• What different ways of answering the question are there?
• Do some preliminary quick reading to orient yourself to the topic

8. Brainstorming

• Get everything you can think of down on paper in no particular order
• What thinkers might be relevant? Especially look for potential opponents
• What passages of Scripture might be worth investigating?

9. How to read for theology essays (and what to read)

• Read to gain basic information
• Read to gain nuance and subtlety
• Read to develop arguments
• Read to find stimulating conversation partners and ‘surprising friends’
• Read to find out what the opposition says

10. Using the Bible in theology essays

• You have to read Scripture as a whole to do theology biblically
• Orthodoxy helps you to read Scripture theologically
• Avoid prooftexting and word studies

11. How to treat your opponents

• Treat your opponents with respect
• Avoid cheap shots and caricature

12. Some advice on quoting

• Use quotations sparingly
• Quote if:
  • The author nailed it
  • You want to prove your opponent really does say that
  • You are expounding a view to learn from it
• Quote SHORT
• Quote faithfully to the author

13. Types of argument for your essay

• Volume knobs, not on/off switches

14. The classic introduction

• Your introduction should set the scene and frame the question
• Your introduction should state your answer to the question
• Your introduction should give an indication of how you are going to answer the question

15. Why presentation matters, and how to make it work for you

• Presentation does matter
• The essential principle: don’t distract your reader

16. How to write well in a theology essay

• Be a reader of great writing
• Don’t be afraid of metaphors
• Learn the simple rules of English punctuation
• Be clear, and avoid vague words

17. The art of signposting

• Use headings
• Use summative sentences
• Use questions that flow

18. Bringing home the bacon

• Your conclusion should add nothing new
• Make sure you have fulfilled any promises you have made
• If you do have some space, consider the implications of your essay for other areas of theology

19. What to do with it now

• Don’t be shy about thinking of ways in which your essay could have a second life

20. A footnote about footnotes

• Use footnote commentary sparingly
• Don’t hide extra words in your footnotes
• Take care that the footnote relates clearly to the text
• Use footnotes to protect yourself by showing that you have read widely

Related: 10 Issues I Frequently Mark When Grading Theology Papers