PhD Tips: Ideas for Dissertation Topics #2

Introduction

Throughout my dissertation work I sometimes run across ideas for potential dissertation topics.  I wanted to share one such dissertation topic example in this post. (Again, I make no claims about the actual viability of this idea as a dissertation topic.)

In addition, while my focus is Biblical Studies and particularly the Book of Acts, those in other disciplines may find the approach or methodology of these ideas a useful springboard for topics in your field of study.

Elders in the New Testament

In studying the Miletus Speech (Acts 20:17-38), I have had to look up all of the New Testament passages that deal with Christian “elders,” since they are the recipients of Paul’s instructions.

The term “elders” (presbuteros), which is used to denominate a Christian leader, appears in the following New Testament books.

  • Acts
  • 1 Timothy
  • Titus
  • James
  • 1 Peter
  • 2 John
  • 3 John
  • Revelation

Remember! The Question is King

Finding a viable dissertation topic involves asking a good question from the available sources and then providing an answer that makes a contribution to the field.  (See my post The (dreaded) dissertation topic: 2 of 3.)

So the question that comes to mind as I look over the list of books above is, Why does the term “elder” appear only in these particular books?  (There are many theories as to why the term does not make an appearance in the undisputed Pauline literature.  Your study could interact with those theories, for example.)

Is there a geographical connection perhaps related to the city of Ephesus?  (Many of the books above have a link to Ephesus and in the case of Acts (20:17-38) have Ephesus as a focus.)

Indeed if Ephesus plays some role in the use of this leadership term, is there some aspect of Ephesus’ material culture which could account for this “concentration” among the biblical literature?  Was the role of the civic elder more prominent here than other places?

Is there a date connection?  Some of these books were written later in the church’s first century (2 and 3 John and Revelation). Acts, 1 Tim and Titus are also considered later writings by many scholars.

Contribution to scholarship

The potential contributions to scholarship would be in the areas of New Testament ecclesiology, development of the canon, New Testament literary tradition, Pauline studies (as they relate to ecclesiology) and to the study of specific books affected by your findings.

Well that’s about all for now.

Til next time, happy researching!

NOTE:

Greetings from Medellín, Colombia!

I’m sorry I haven’t written a post in the last few months but I’m finally getting settled after my family and I relocated to South America.

I am now working at the Biblical Seminary of Colombia as a professor of New Testament.  I will continue writing my dissertation from here in addition to making additions to my PhD Tips and Advice blog.

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3 Responses to PhD Tips: Ideas for Dissertation Topics #2

  1. sean says:

    If you don’t mind me asking, what is the process of finishing your dissertation while working abroad at a seminary and not in residence? Do most schools allow this or just some, if so do you know which ones? Did your school or most schools have residency requirements that make you stay at the school until you finish? Is there a certain point in your research/writing process that a school allows you to work from a distance or does this vary from school to school? One reason I wonder this is because I was considering a PhD at a UK university but did not necessarily want to stay there the full three years. Any input or advice would be appreciated. I have already benefited from much of your PhD advice. Thank you and God bless.

    • Sean:

      There are very few schools that will allow you to complete your research off-site. The London School of Theology, which has a partnership with Middlesex University happens to be one of them.

      To be honest, it is not ideal since off-site researchers miss out on the networking and academic opportunities that are an ongoing part of any university setting (not to mention the wonderful regional / national conferences you can attend or present in…)

      I know of universities in South Africa (University of Pretoria) who have a similar arrangement to my school. You show up for orientation, meet with your supervisor, map out a strategy for meeting (via skype) and basic deadlines, and then you pretty much have control of your own research life.

      Mixing ministry and research is probably one of the slowest ways to go about finishing the PhD. Still, it’s possible. If you are ministering outside the U.S., then it is likely you will have to travel back to a U.S. library at some point (unless you purchase a ton of books or know someone who would be willing to ship you books for extended periods of time). Finding stuff on the Internet is still more of a dream than reality, especially when you go outside of the English language.

      In my case, I had to take the year off from my research to get settled and get started in my teaching. I’ll be heading back to Boston in October and staying through March to try to whack away on the dissertation. I’ve been at it now for two years part-time (with a third idle), so again, it’s a slow road to completion.

      I don’t know how young you are, whether married or not, with kids or not or your financial situation. But if you can swing it, I would try to tough it out in the UK for the length of time needed to finish your dissertation. You’ll have plenty of time for ministry and you can spend a lot of quality focused time (which is your best friend in trying to finish).

      Regardless, if you can do a large part somewhere else, then you are likely looking at a school that allows you to do all of it somewhere else. The big ones, Cambridge, Oxford, St. Andrews and the like, no way. You are probably looking at second or third tier schools for the flexibility and then you’ll have to factor in quality, potential supervisors, long-term goals, etc.

      In my case, I wanted to minister in a cross-cultural context right away, I didn’t need a top tier school and I had time to complete my research (besides, I’m hitting my late 40s and have a wife and children). Thus for me, this approach is perfect. Research is research and I am enjoying the process immensely and learning quite a bit.

      Shoot me an e-mail if you want to talk more in detail (gkarakey@unisbc.edu.co).

      Blessings,

      Gustavo

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