Thirdmill Online Courses

Instructions for optional Written Project #1

If you are studying the course for some church or academic institution, they may require additional assignments. We suggest the following option. Thirdmill cannot evaluate this assignment; it should be submitted to the institution that requires it.

Developing a Christian Worldview

Write a 6-page (double spaced) project on a Christian approach to a topic in your area of ​​interest. Follow the "Guidelines for Writing an Essay" which can be downloaded from the folder of "Resources to Download." The document should be in the format of a "Word" document or in "Plain Text".

Specific steps

1. Select the topic.

We recommend some possible topics below, but you can select another, as long as it is related to the content of this course. You should not select a topic that is too general, such as the topics of the chapters in Intellectual Integrity. You should try to resolve some question or concern you have. As you prepare the project, seek answers to your questions. You shouldn't use a topic that you used for a project in another Thirdmill course.

Examples of possible topics:

a) A Christian view of current popular music
b) A Christian view of contemporary cinema
c) A Christian view to today's television
d) A Christian approach to psychology
e) A Christian view of public education
f) A Christian approach to poverty in my country
g) A Christian view of the current economy of my country
h) A Christian approach to ecology and the care of the environment
i) A Christian view of the social media
j) A Christian view of current technology
k) A Christian approach to war
l) A Christian approach to abortion
m) A Christian approach to homosexuality
n) A Christian approach to .......

2. Do your research for the essay.

You can download "Recommended Extra Reading" from the folder of "Resources to Download" to help with your research, as well as many other materials found in our Thirdmill Seminary Library Resources.

Write notes from your research, noting bibliographic information and source pages. This is necessary when you directly quote the source and also when you use any idea from the source.

3. Read the "Guidelines for Writing an Essay" found in "Resources to Download."

4. Write the title and organize the essay. Write an outline and some ideas for each section. Select your numbering system and stick with it. Remember that the essay must have an introduction, the main body and a conclusion. The introduction arouses interest, the body develops the theme, and the conclusion summarizes the argument, showing what is most important. The main body normally has several sections. You might want to review the "Guidelines for Writing an Essay" again for possible ways to organize your essay.

The outline might deal with the contents as indicated here:

Introduction (arouse interest, state the topic)
I. The Issue (pose the problem, the question)
II. What Other Authors Say (cite, explain other sources)
III. Biblical Guidelines (explain passages related to the topic)
IV. A Tentative View (submit your view)
Conclusion (make a summary)

5. Write the first version of the essay. Check the paragraphs to be sure they deal with a single topic, that they are complete, and that they are coherent.

6. Write the footnotes and bibliography, following the explanations in the "Guidelines for Writing an Essay."

7. Write the final version of the essay. Read and re-read the essay, modifying it until it flows easily and is clear. Correct any spelling or grammar errors.

8. Submit the assignment following the instructions in the final week of the course.