February 2010 – For Immediate Release
Wittenberg Institute is announcing 15 positions for the 2010-2011 Research M.Th. Degree.
The M.Th. Research option is for the student that has a focused interest and the desire and drive to complete a guided research program. Wittenberg Institute connects students with scholars who provide direction with topic, significance, bibliographic sources, outline, reading, response and final submission and defense. This program is not intended to replace a course based degree program, rather to give another venue for students who have demonstrated competence in their field of study.
Current areas of interest to Wittenberg Institute thesis advisors include: Old/New Testament, Dogmatics, Homiletics, Catechetics, Historical Theology, Reformation History, Missiology, Apologetics and Ethics.
The candidate must submit a Master’s Thesis of 30,000 – 40,000 words (120 – 160 pages), which addresses some topic, subject, or problem in a field of theological inquiry as illustrated above and demonstrates a grasp of the literature and theological aspects required in the treatment of the chosen project. The Thesis should focus upon the required readings and research for the subject of study as determined by their advisor. The Thesis should be analytically reflective of the required reading and research and provide a “unique” perspective on the specific subject being evaluated. The paper should be adequately footnoted and include a comprehensive bibliography and should be suitable for submission to a scholarly publication. All academic work must be completed by March 1st of the intended year of graduation. Your oral defense will be scheduled upon submission of your Thesis and recommendation from your advisor.
Students are required to attend a 2-week course in Research Methodologies and may schedule independent study in areas related to their thesis topic.
Program Requirements
Expected completion time for the research option 12 months, not to exceed 18 months. Students unable to complete this degree within this time period should not apply.
Wittenberg Institute will provide:
- Remote access to JSTOR and Corpus Reformatorum databases.
- In-Residence, two week course in Research Methodologies in Everett, WA.
- Connection to assigned advisor for duration of program.
- Printing and Binding of Thesis
- Selection of best papers to be included in annual bound journal of the institute.
- Faculty panel for public defense of thesis.
Student will provide:
- Books and personal materials required for personal research.
- Travel expenses for all required events
Advisors will provide assistance with:
- Bibliographic sources and research framework
- Clarifying of Thesis topic and description of significance
- Outline and Proofreading of Thesis Chapters
- Preparation of Oral Defense
Research Methodologies Course
This class will teach the techniques for gaining bibliographic ability over the literature and research material of theological subjects, as well as give attention to the planning, preparation, and writing of theses.
The object of the Research Methodologies class is for the student to understand the nature and purpose of research in the theological disciplines. The student should achieve understanding of research methodology applicable to a specific area of theological research study. The student should demonstrate utilization of correct bibliographic forms according to a selected style manual. The student should acquire sufficient knowledge of theological bibliography in various formats to complete appropriate research at the Master’s level Thesis. The student will employ correct thesis format and style according to the standards set by Wittenberg Institute.
Selected Reading List
The University of Chicago Press. The Chicago Manual of Style: The Essential Guide for Writers, Editors, and Publishers. 15th ed. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2003. (Ref LB 2369 .C49x 2003)
Turabian, Kate L. A, Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 7th ed. Revised by Wayne C. Booth, Gregory C. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2007.
James E. Bradley and Richard A. Muller, Church History: An Introduction to Research, Reference Works, and Methods. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995).
John Warwick Montgomery, The Writing of Research Papers in Theology (Canadian Institute for Law, Theology and Public Policy).
Admission Requirements
Interested students should complete the online application and include: quality writing sample, references, thesis proposal (description, significance, preliminary outline and bibliography). Applications will not be considered if incomplete. Final acceptance will depend on aligning one of our research advisors with your intended course of study. Although some applicants and proposals may be worthy, there is no guarantee it will match with our advisors interests. Wittenberg Institute has sole discretion over assignment of advisors.
Wittenberg Institute is committed to providing a quality research based M.Th. degree. This program falls outside normal budgeted expenses of the in-residence program and requires additional administrative costs. To that end, students congregation is required to become a member of the Wittenberg Consortium with a minimum annual contribution of $5000. Wittenberg Institute is supported by this consortium and the benevolence will be applied toward providing continued education programs that meet the academic excellence of our faculty and students. Therefore, a letter of intent to join the consortium and donation to Wittenberg Institute will be required before full acceptance into the program.
M.Th. Research Advisor List
Dr. Michael Albrecht – Historical and Systematic Theology
Michael is pastor at St. James Lutheran Church in West St. Paul, MN and Editor of LOGIA Journal. Michael’s doctoral work was on the writings of Prof J.P. Koehler and the Wauwatosa Theology.
Dr. Adam Francisco – Missiology and Apologetics
Adam is Assistant Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Seminary in Fr. Wayne, IN. Prior to joining the faculty in 2007 where he teaches Islamic studies in the PhD program as well as several graduate electives in Christian apologetics, he served as Assistant Professor of History at Concordia College–New York (2005–2007). Before that, he was the Albin Salton Fellow at University of London’s prestigious Warburg Institute (2004–2005). Dr. Francisco received his BA in Biblical Languages (2000) and MA in Reformation Theology (2001) from Concordia University (Irvine, California) and MSt (2003) and DPhil (2006) in Historical Theology and Christian-Muslim Relations from the University of Oxford.
Dr. Stephen Kennedy – Pastoral Theology and Ethics
Steve holds earned degrees from the University of Southern California (USC) (B.A. and Ph.D.) and Talbot Theological Seminary (M.Div.). Steve has taught at Trinity International Law School Santa Ana, CA; Northrise University Ndola, Zambia; Concordia University, Irvine, CA; Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA and the School of Business Administration, Georgetown University. Steve has also worked as a speechwriter, Policy Analyst and was a Congressional Fellow in Washington D.C.
Dr. Jeff Mallinson – Philosophy of Religion and Epistemology
Jeff serves as Academic Dean and Professor of Biblical Studies at Trinity Lutheran College in Everett, WA. He earned his undergraduate degree in religion from Concordia University, Irvine, and his doctorate from the University of Oxford, where his studies, with advisor Alister McGrath, focused on religious epistemology in Reformation thought.
Dr. Mark C. Mattes – Theology
Mark is Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Grand View College, Des Moines, IA. He is author of The Role of Justification in Contemporary Theology and is also coeditor of A More Radical Gospel: Essays on Eschatology, Authority, Atonement, and Ecumenism. Mark is a highly sought after lecturer and the pre-eminent ELCA scholar in the area of Justification by Faith.
Dr. James A. Nestingen – Historical and Pastoral Theology
Jim is Professor of Church History Emeritus at Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He is a nationally recognized Luther scholar as well as a popular speaker and lecturer. Nestingen is the author of numerous books and studies, including The Faith We Hold and co-editor of Sources and Contexts of the Book of Concord.
Dr. Rod Rosenbladt – Apologetics and Theology
Rod is a Professor of Theology at Concordia University, Irvine in Irvine, CA, and is also well-known among Lutheran, Reformed and Evangelical Christians as the co-host of the nationally syndicated radio program “The White Horse Inn”.
Dr. Stephen Turnbull – Bible and Preaching
Steve serves as the senior pastor at First Lutheran Church in White Bear Lake, Minnesota and as adjunct Professor of New Testament at Biblical Seminary in Hatfield, Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of The College of Wooster (B.A.), Luther Seminary (M.Div.), and Duke University (Ph.D.). Steve’s primary research and teaching interests are in the fields of Biblical Theology and Preaching.
