Page 97 - THBI Student Handbook - 2020

While the dissertations do not add study credits, the student cannot pass the graduate degree program
without submitting a successful dissertation or thesis paper.

Why? Because instead of merely answering predetermined questions, the student must start with a
position of faith and not just support that position, but do so in agreement with the spirit and intent of
God’s purposes, plans and priorities as they are clearly made known in the Bible - - and to do so with the
result being that the reader of the student’s paper is benefitted by what is said in that paper.

PRESENTATION COMPARISONS
A. An Essay - - An essay is a "short formal piece of writing dealing with a single subject". It
is typically written to try to persuade the reader using selected research evidence
B. A Treatise - - A formal, systematic article or book on some subject, one in which the conclusions are based on
a detailed consideration of factual evidence or governing principles and explained to a point of understanding.
C. A Thesis - - A treatise advancing an original point of view as a result of research: Beginning with a
statement to be proven or supported by the research presented therein. You are expected only to use the
research of others and provide your own analysis on your discoveries. It demonstrates your level of critical
and analytical thinking and defines the subject that you are most interested in pursuing within your field.
D. A Dissertation - - A treatise advancing a new point of view resulting from research; a requirement
for an advanced academic degree. With a dissertation, you are expected to use the research of others
only to guide you in your own research to come up with a completely new hypothesis.
➢ DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DISSERTATION AND A THESIS - Example:
Thesis on Prayer: A student begins with a proposition that his or her research shall support.
Beginning with the THESIS STATEMENT: “Without prayer, Fellowship with God is not
possible.” This statement is then followed by the research presented in the personal style of the
student which includes the references to the research material used.
Dissertation on Prayer: A student presents a teaching on prayer from personal experience that
has developed his/her original point of view, for instance presenting “I have found that prayer is
an effective way by which to experience intimate fellowship with God because of …”

 At THBI, both the thesis and dissertation are required to exhibit the ability of the
graduate level student to guide or assist the reader into understanding the point of view,
perspective, concerns and conclusions of the paper. Merely stating a position or conclusion
will not be sufficient to meet the requirements of THBI - - while academic ability is vital, the
application is equally or more so - - therefore, the student must be able to help the reader gain
the benefit of personal application of the conclusions of the paper.

It takes time, skill, commitment and sincere effort to formulate, arrange, and polish your ideas and then
to develop and prepare your work. The paper you write is to effectively express yourself in written form.

I. STYLE
A. EXPLANATION: The style or type of graduate paper required for the THBI Graduate Degree is
based on the focus of our Biblical Education - - which is, practical life application!
1. Your studies will (or should) bring you to understand that we are not interested in producing
“Academic” Theologians … nor “academic” anything else! The “Academic” is the one who
is using various techniques to espouse his/her knowledge, often presenting lofty theories …
none of which are very much help in a person’s actual life’s reality!

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