Defending Truth with Excellence
Research is the careful investigation of a topic to discover truth. As believers, we are called to "prove all things" (1 Thessalonians 5:21) and "be ready always to give an answer" (1 Peter 3:15).
| Topic (Too Broad) | Focused Research Question |
|---|---|
| The Sabbath | How does the Sabbath in Genesis connect to its observance in the New Testament? |
| Evolution | What scientific evidence challenges the theory of macroevolution? |
| Biblical history | What archaeological discoveries confirm the historicity of King David? |
Turn these broad topics into focused research questions:
1. Topic: Biblical creation
Research Question:
2. Topic: The true names of the Creator
Research Question:
3. Topic: Clean and unclean foods
Research Question:
Primary Sources: Original, firsthand accounts
Secondary Sources: Analysis/interpretation of primary sources
| Criteria | Questions to Ask |
|---|---|
| Currency | When was it published? Is it current enough for your topic? |
| Relevance | Does it relate to your research question? Is it the right level? |
| Authority | Who is the author? What are their credentials? Who published it? |
| Accuracy | Is the information supported by evidence? Can you verify it elsewhere? |
| Purpose | Why was it written? To inform, persuade, sell, or entertain? |
Most "mainstream" sources come from an evolutionary, secular worldview. While we can use them for facts, we must recognize their bias. Always:
Find a source on a biblical topic and evaluate it using CRAAP:
Source Title:
Currency:
Authority:
Accuracy:
Purpose:
Would you use this source? Why?
1. Note Cards (Physical or Digital)
2. Cornell Method
3. Outline Method
Topic: Sabbath - New Testament observance
Source: Strong's Concordance, "Sabbath"
"The word 'Sabbath' (G4521 - sabbaton) appears 68 times in the NT, showing continued recognition of the seventh day."
My thought: The early believers clearly still kept the Sabbath - need to find examples in Acts.
Read a short article or Scripture passage and take notes:
Source:
Main idea:
Key quote:
Your paraphrase:
Your thoughts/questions:
Original: "The seventh-day Sabbath was established at creation and confirmed at Sinai as a perpetual covenant between Yahuah and His people."
Plagiarism: The Sabbath was established at creation and confirmed at Sinai as a perpetual covenant. (No citation!)
Plagiarism: The seventh-day Sabbath was set up at creation and reaffirmed at Sinai as an everlasting agreement between Yahuah and His people. (Too similar, even with different words)
Proper paraphrase: According to Smith, the Sabbath's origins in Genesis and its codification in the Sinai covenant demonstrate its enduring significance for Yahuah's covenant people (Smith, 2020, p. 15).
Original text: "Evolution requires millions of years for small changes to accumulate, yet the fossil record shows fully-formed creatures appearing suddenly without transitional forms."
Write a proper paraphrase with citation:
When you quote or paraphrase, include the author's last name and page number:
No author? Use shortened title: ("Sabbath Origins" 12)
Website without pages? Just author or title: (Jones)
Book:
Last, First. Title of Book. Publisher, Year.
Example: Smith, John. Sabbath Truth. Truth Publishers, 2020.
Website:
Author Last, First. "Article Title." Website Name, Publisher, Date, URL.
Example: Jones, Mary. "The Creation Sabbath." Biblical Truth, 15 Mar. 2022, www.example.com/sabbath.
Scripture:
Typically cited in-text: (Genesis 2:2-3) - include Bible version used on Works Cited page
Create a Works Cited entry for:
A book called "Evolution: A Theory in Crisis" by Michael Denton, published by Adler & Adler in 1986.
A website article called "The Firmament" by Dr. Robert Carter on creation.com, published January 10, 2021.
I. Introduction
II. Body Paragraphs (multiple)
III. Conclusion
IV. Works Cited
Write a thesis statement for a research paper on one of these topics:
Topic chosen:
Thesis:
Persuasive writing aims to convince readers to accept your viewpoint or take action. As believers, we must defend truth - and do so with excellence!
1. ETHOS (Credibility)
Establishing trust and authority. Why should they believe YOU?
2. LOGOS (Logic)
Using reason and evidence. Does your argument make sense?
3. PATHOS (Emotion)
Appealing to feelings. Does it move the reader?
Identify which appeal (ethos, logos, pathos) is primarily used:
1. "As a marine biologist who has studied sea creatures for 20 years, I can tell you that the complexity of ocean life points to design."
Appeal:
2. "Imagine a child who will never hear about their Creator because we failed to share truth."
Appeal:
3. "Studies show that 92% of archaeologists confirm the existence of biblical locations."
Appeal:
CLAIM - Your position or argument
"The Sabbath was established at creation, not at Sinai."
EVIDENCE - Facts that support your claim
"Genesis 2:2-3 states that Elohim rested on the seventh day and sanctified it."
REASONING - Explanation of how evidence supports claim
"This passage shows the Sabbath existed before Sinai, before Israel, and even before sin entered the world - making it a universal ordinance, not just a Jewish one."
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Scripture | Direct quotes from the Bible |
| Facts | Verifiable information |
| Statistics | Numerical data |
| Expert testimony | Quotes from authorities |
| Examples | Specific instances that illustrate your point |
| Historical evidence | Records from the past |
Build an argument using Claim-Evidence-Reasoning:
Topic: Why the biblical creation account should be taken literally
Claim:
Evidence:
Reasoning:
A logical fallacy is an error in reasoning that weakens an argument. Learn to recognize them so you can avoid them AND identify them in others' arguments!
Ad Hominem - Attacking the person instead of the argument
✗ "You can't trust what he says about creation - he's not a scientist."
Straw Man - Misrepresenting someone's argument to make it easier to attack
✗ "Creationists believe the earth is flat." (Most don't!)
Appeal to Authority - Claiming something is true just because an expert said it
✗ "Evolution must be true because famous scientists believe it."
Appeal to Majority - Claiming something is true because many believe it
✗ "Most people believe in evolution, so it must be true."
False Dilemma - Presenting only two options when more exist
✗ "Either you believe in science OR you believe the Bible."
Circular Reasoning - Using your conclusion as your premise
✗ "The fossils prove evolution. How do we date the fossils? By assuming evolution."
Hasty Generalization - Drawing broad conclusions from limited evidence
✗ "I met one rude believer, so all believers are hypocrites."
Name the fallacy in each example:
1. "You're either with science or against it."
Fallacy:
2. "Why should we listen to him? He's just a pastor, not a professor."
Fallacy:
3. "We know the earth is old because the rocks are dated as old. We know the dating is accurate because the earth is old."
Fallacy:
4. "Creationists think dinosaurs never existed." (They actually believe dinosaurs and humans coexisted.)
Fallacy:
Strong persuasive writing acknowledges and responds to opposing viewpoints. This shows you've considered all sides and strengthens your credibility.
1. ACKNOWLEDGE - State the opposing view fairly
"Some argue that the Sabbath was only for Jews..."
2. CONCEDE (if appropriate) - Admit any valid points
"It is true that the Sabbath command was given to Israel at Sinai..."
3. REFUTE - Explain why your position is still stronger
"However, Genesis 2:2-3 shows the Sabbath existed at creation, before any nation existed, indicating it was meant for all humanity."
Introducing opposition: Some argue... Critics claim... It might seem... Opponents believe...
Conceding: Admittedly... While it is true that... Although... Granted...
Refuting: However... Nevertheless... On the contrary... Yet... Despite this...
Write a counter-argument paragraph on this topic:
Your position: The clean/unclean food laws in Leviticus 11 still apply today.
Opposition: "Peter's vision in Acts 10 shows that all foods are now clean."
Acknowledge:
Concede (if any):
Refute:
1. Rhetorical Questions
"If Yahuah is the same yesterday, today, and forever, why would His Sabbath change?"
2. Rule of Three
"The Sabbath was created by Yahuah, commanded in the Torah, and kept by Yahusha."
3. Repetition
"It was truth then. It is truth now. It will be truth forever."
4. Analogy
"Changing Yahuah's law is like removing the foundation from a house - the whole structure collapses."
5. Inclusive Language
"We must ask ourselves..." "Together, we can..."
6. Call to Action
"The evidence is clear. The time to act is now. Will you follow truth?"
Write sentences using each technique on the topic of biblical creation:
Rhetorical question:
Rule of three:
Analogy:
Write a persuasive essay (5-7 paragraphs) defending a biblical truth against modern opposition.
Topic:
Thesis:
Body Paragraph 1 - Main Point:
Evidence:
Body Paragraph 2 - Main Point:
Evidence:
Body Paragraph 3 - Main Point:
Evidence:
Counter-Argument to Address:
Your Rebuttal:
Call to Action:
Write your complete persuasive essay on a separate paper or document. Use this workbook as your guide!
Remember: You are defending truth. Do so with excellence, grace, and the power of Yahuah's Word!
Unit 7: 1) ethos, 2) pathos, 3) logos
Unit 9: 1) false dilemma, 2) ad hominem, 3) circular reasoning, 4) straw man