Academic monographs are very specialized treatments that are published into narrowly defined books. Many are chosen as textbooks by leading Seminary class developers; customarily, most Academic monographs are included with at least one generalized survey textbook that offers a foundation upon which the monograph advances. Expectations of Becker Academy faculty usually focuses upon the students efforts to narrow generalized depictions in their class papers by correctly utilizing academic monographs to supplant and increase the depth of their writings. Basically, the deeper you go, the better the grade! More importantly, advanced depth of study through the reading of academic monographs prepare Professional Theologists for their different duties in the real world.
Dr. Heiser shows students how to locate and separate monographs from dictionaries in the LOGOS Bible software program. Follow his lecture steps to see how to find the books written specifically for locating academic monographs; then, do it some more, and then again.
When a student prepares the papers, or the Professional Theologists teaches others, consultation with academic monographs will enhance those learning opportunities. If you don’t know why, how, when, what, where then seek in-depth guidance from academic monographs. Even if that material is too much to include in your simple paper writings or generalized teaching, it will add a degree of depth to the material with a spicing of cultural immediacy, thereby teaching God’s things with a view toward His time of revelation, rather than your time of life. It is at that point in learning the things of God, that His students are often blessed with journeys of discovery that would have never stirred if a concentrated effort toward discovery of the depth of the biblical world was not ventured. That reward, given by God to deep-study students, adds new layers of understanding that directly relate to Scripture and often are stirs added spiritual growth by seeking the deeper things first explained through academic monographs.
But, beware of the tendency often exhibited by Internet armchair wannabe theologists who glum onto some academic monographs to take a superior stance in Scripture interpretation based upon assumptions unproven. Often, academic monographs answer specific, direct questions that have relevance to specific Scripture references. But, when those details are transferred into other parts of Scripture not applicable to the time that the Academic monographs record, then error in Scripture interpretation results. Frequently; it is especially apparent in those untrained into the proper exegesis of Scripture studies. For example, marriage at the time of Solomon was differently organized in the time of Christ. If an academic monograph about the many wives of Solomon was transferred to the worldview of a Second Temple Jew of New Testament times, assumptions might be made that might even lead to the support of modern-day polygamy. The author of the book on Solomon spent many years of research to write about one specific time that held one specific worldview. Worldviews seldom crossover generations; as time marches on, views change, even in Scripture, as God leads man’s awareness and knowledge to higher places than was evident in the beginning of his creation.
Bibliography
Heiser, Michael S. BI101 Lecture Introducing Biblical Interpretation: Contexts and Resources: LOGOS Bible Software.
Links
About the Author
Kathy L. McFarland is President and Founder of Becker Bible Ministries, Inc. and the Becker Professional Theology Academy. She is also a Becker Bible Studies Teacher and author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She has received her Bachelor of Science degree in Religious Studies from Liberty University, is on track for the Master of Divinity (Professional Ministries Track) degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary & Graduate School in 2016 and will be seeking a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Theology and Apologetics beginning in the fall of 2016. She is the originator of the newest theological movement to encourage Christian leaders to minister within the modern-day marketplace as Professional Theologists. She is also the Curriculum Developer for Becker Professional Theology Academy and a teaching faculty member. Kathy's favorite studies to teach include the connections between Old Testament exegesis, Christian Apologetics, and Bible typology and mysteries.
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