Writing a Dissertation for a PhD in Biblical Studies: Guidance, Expectations, and Northwestern Christian University’s Distinctive Approach

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Introduction

Writing a doctoral dissertation in Biblical Studies is both a scholarly and spiritual journey. It is the culminating work of a PhD program, representing years of study, research, and critical reflection on Scripture and related disciplines. For many candidates, the dissertation is the most ambitious intellectual project they will ever undertake. It not only demonstrates competence in research and writing but also establishes the scholar’s voice within the academy and the church.

Most universities have well-established expectations for what a dissertation should include: an original thesis, a comprehensive literature review, critical engagement with sources, clear methodology, and a well-structured argument. Traditional PhD programs in Biblical Studies often require dissertations between 80,000 and 100,000 words, with narrow guidelines on topic selection and methodological approach.

Northwestern Christian University (NCU), while holding the highest academic and spiritual standards, distinguishes itself by offering candidates a degree of freedom and flexibility not often found elsewhere. At NCU, dissertations must be at least 60,000 words, include a complete index, and demonstrate excellent writing. Candidates are given more freedom in topic selection, enabling them to pursue areas of genuine passion and calling while still adhering to rigorous academic standards. This combination of high standards and flexibility creates a context where creativity and faith can flourish side by side.

This article provides detailed guidance on writing a dissertation in Biblical Studies, examining both general academic norms and NCU’s distinctive expectations. It will walk through topic selection, research design, writing strategies, structural components, and qualities of excellence, concluding with practical advice for crafting a dissertation that is faithful, rigorous, and impactful.

The Nature and Purpose of a Dissertation in Biblical Studies

A Culminating Work

A dissertation is the capstone of doctoral study. It represents not only the mastery of a subject area but also the ability to contribute original knowledge to the field. In Biblical Studies, this often involves examining texts, traditions, or theological concepts with fresh insight, engaging with existing scholarship while moving the conversation forward.

The dissertation should be:

  • Original – offering a new argument, interpretation, or synthesis.
  • Comprehensive – engaging with the full breadth of relevant literature.
  • Methodologically sound – demonstrating clarity in approach, whether historical-critical, literary, theological, sociological, or interdisciplinary.
  • Well-argued – presenting claims logically, persuasively, and with evidential support.
  • Communal in scope – written not just for the author, but for the academic and faith communities it will serve.

Standard Academic Expectations

In most institutions, a Biblical Studies dissertation is expected to:

  1. Fall within a word range of 80,000–100,000 words.
  2. Choose a narrowly defined topic (often tied closely to faculty expertise).
  3. Follow strict formatting guidelines (e.g., Turabian/Chicago, SBL style).
  4. Include specific components: abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, main chapters, conclusion, bibliography, and sometimes appendices.
  5. Demonstrate contribution to the field—showing how the work builds upon or challenges existing scholarship.

This framework has produced countless influential works, yet it can also be constraining, particularly for scholars who wish to address broader or more creative questions, or who write with the church as well as the academy in mind.

Northwestern Christian University’s Distinctive Expectations

Word Count and Scope

At NCU, dissertations are required to be at least 60,000 words. This is shorter than many traditional programs but remains substantial enough to allow for rigorous argumentation and comprehensive coverage. The reduced minimum reflects NCU’s belief that quality and clarity matter more than verbosity. A focused, well-crafted 60,000-word dissertation can often achieve more impact than a sprawling 100,000-word work.

Freedom of Topic Selection

Unlike many institutions that constrain students to faculty-driven specialties, NCU allows candidates more freedom in topic selection. Students are encouraged to pursue areas where their research intersects with their calling, church life, or personal interest, provided the project maintains scholarly rigor. This flexibility opens the door for dissertations that engage practical theology, emerging global issues, or interdisciplinary approaches, while still maintaining the highest standards of academic excellence.

Required Components

NCU emphasizes the following:

  1. Length – Minimum of 60,000 words.
  2. Index – A comprehensive index must be included, demonstrating careful organization and utility for future readers.
  3. Quality of writing – Dissertations must be clear, well-structured, and stylistically polished. Grammar, clarity, and rhetorical excellence are non-negotiable.
  4. Highest academic standards – Despite greater flexibility, dissertations must still demonstrate rigorous engagement with sources, careful methodology, and significant contribution to knowledge.

By combining flexibility with excellence, NCU creates space for scholars to craft dissertations that are both academically credible and spiritually meaningful.

Steps to Writing a Successful Dissertation

1. Choosing a Topic

At most universities, topic selection is tightly bound to faculty expertise. At NCU, the candidate has greater freedom, but with freedom comes responsibility. A good topic must be:

  • Significant – addressing an important question or gap in scholarship.
  • Researchable – with sufficient primary and secondary sources available.
  • Manageable – narrow enough to treat thoroughly in 60,000+ words.
  • Personally meaningful – aligned with the candidate’s vocation, interests, and calling.

Examples of strong dissertation topics might include:

  • A theological analysis of Pauline paradigms of justice and their application to modern civil society.
  • Literary features of Hebrew wisdom literature and their relevance for contemporary pedagogy.
  • A historical-critical study of early church liturgies and their influence on Reformation worship.
  • Cross-cultural hermeneutics: interpreting the Gospels in the context of global Christianity.

2. Conducting Research

Biblical Studies dissertations must integrate primary sources (Scripture, ancient languages, historical documents, archaeological findings) with secondary sources (commentaries, peer-reviewed articles, monographs).

Key practices:

  • Mastery of biblical languages – Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, and sometimes Latin or Coptic.
  • Familiarity with major scholarly debates – identifying where consensus and disagreement lie.
  • Use of digital tools – databases like ATLA, JSTOR, Logos Bible Software, and open-access repositories.
  • Engagement with interdisciplinary resources – history, sociology, anthropology, literary criticism.

3. Structuring the Dissertation

While NCU grants flexibility, a strong dissertation often follows a recognizable structure:

  1. Abstract – A concise summary of the thesis, method, and contribution.
  2. Acknowledgments – Recognizing those who supported the project.
  3. Table of Contents – Including chapters, subheadings, and appendices.
  4. Introduction
    • Statement of the problem
    • Research questions or hypotheses
    • Significance of the study
    • Overview of methodology
    • Chapter outline
  5. Literature Review – Comprehensive survey of existing scholarship.
  6. Methodology – Description and justification of the approach used.
  7. Chapters of Argument – Presenting the research, analysis, and findings.
  8. Conclusion – Summarizing findings, contributions, and implications.
  9. Bibliography – Complete and accurate references.
  10. Index – Required by NCU, enhancing usability and scholarly rigor.

4. Writing with Excellence

At NCU, clarity and excellence in writing are paramount. Candidates should aim for prose that is:

  • Precise – avoiding ambiguity.
  • Concise – eliminating unnecessary words.
  • Engaging – demonstrating passion as well as scholarship.
  • Balanced – presenting differing views fairly before offering critique.
  • Polished – carefully proofread for grammar, style, and formatting.

What Sets an Excellent Dissertation Apart

Whether written at NCU or elsewhere, certain qualities distinguish a merely adequate dissertation from an outstanding one:

  1. Originality – Offering new insight rather than recycling existing arguments.
  2. Integration of scholarship and faith – Particularly at NCU, where dissertations may address theological concerns with academic rigor.
  3. Methodological transparency – Clearly explaining how conclusions were reached.
  4. Engagement with counterarguments – Demonstrating fairness and intellectual maturity.
  5. Contribution to both academy and church – Speaking to scholars and practitioners alike.
  6. Lasting impact – Creating a work that will be cited, used, and remembered.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  1. Overly broad topics – A dissertation should be deep, not wide.
  2. Insufficient engagement with primary texts – Biblical Studies requires direct textual analysis.
  3. Neglect of scholarly conversation – A dissertation must situate itself within existing debates.
  4. Weak organization – Poorly structured arguments undermine credibility.
  5. Sloppy writing – Grammar and style reflect scholarly care.

Practical Tips for NCU Candidates

  • Plan early – Create a research and writing schedule.
  • Write consistently – Aim for steady progress (e.g., 500–1,000 words daily).
  • Seek feedback – Share drafts with advisors and peers.
  • Revise thoroughly – Expect to rewrite multiple times.
  • Use the index requirement to your advantage – Begin noting keywords early.
  • Pray through the process – Let the dissertation be a work of devotion as well as scholarship.

Conclusion

Writing a dissertation in Biblical Studies is a demanding yet rewarding process. At traditional institutions, the task often involves rigid requirements, word counts nearing 100,000, and narrowly defined topics. Northwestern Christian University (NCU), while maintaining the highest academic standards, offers a distinctive model: dissertations must be at least 60,000 words, include a comprehensive index, and exhibit excellent writing. More importantly, students are given the freedom to pursue topics aligned with their calling and interests, resulting in projects that are both scholarly and spiritually significant.

A successful NCU dissertation will be well-researched, methodologically sound, original in contribution, and polished in presentation. It will serve not only as an academic credential but also as a gift to the church and the wider scholarly community.

For the doctoral candidate in Biblical Studies, the dissertation is both a challenge and an opportunity: to explore deeply, to write faithfully, and to leave a legacy of scholarship that glorifies God and equips others.

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