6.1 Discussion: The Strength of Our Sources
Background Information
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (English Standard Version, 2016, James 1:2-5)
This Bible passage says when you have a knowledge gap, you should conduct a literature review! OK, so we may be stretching the translation a bit, but the point is that when you are facing troubles, like a difficult problem you are trying to solve for your organization, you need to consult a higher power. Gather the wisdom of the experts who have come before you. That might take the form of reading peer-reviewed works, like an academic journal, or it could come from consulting the Bible!
One of the key differences between scholarly and other published works is its strict reliance on credible sources. This generally means peer-reviewed work. As we learned in Assignment 3.3, the peer review process is the keystone to persuasive science. As researchers, we are expected to support all our assertions, claims, facts, positions, arguments, and theories with good sources.
Some people might be surprised to learn that peer review is a biblical concept. For example, consider these two verses, both written by the wise King Solomon:
Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety (English Standard Version, 2016, Proverbs 11:14).
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another (English Standard Version, 2016, Proverbs 27:17).
Good researchers approach their work with a certain amount of humility. We must recognize we have biases and are fallible, and then open ourselves to criticism. Through the efforts of our peers (iron sharpening iron), we can improve our work. With the support of an abundance of counselors (peer reviewers), we can strengthen our contribution to the world. It is important to remember our work becomes a platform that others build upon, so future scholars and problem solvers are relying on us to get it right!
Similarly, Christians rely on the Word of God as communicated through the eyewitness testimony and wisdom published in the Bible. The Bible is a primary source that has been tested and refined by experts over hundreds of years. The historical events in the Bible have been cross-referenced to many other primary and secondary sources, supporting the validity of the Bible’s version of events. For instance, Jesus is mentioned in numerous other historical records dating as far back as 52 AD. Translations have improved dramatically. Existing books in the Bible have been updated as ancient records, like the Dead Sea Scrolls, surfaced. Whole books, like Epistle of Barnabas, were effectively discarded by experts when their veracity could not be confirmed.
Instructions
Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
Review the background information provided and seriously consider how it applies to your confidence in relying upon sources like academic journals or the Bible.
Access the discussion below and respond to the following questions:
A lot has been said about the fact some of the eyewitness accounts of the same events in the Bible don’t exactly match. Does the fact the sources we rely upon, academic and scriptural, were written by real human beings, with all their faults, make you feel better or worse about them? Why?
Does the fact your own work will be heavily critiqued by many expert counselors make you feel better or worse about your research?
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