Friday, January 15, 2010

FW: Reformation Theology Research Award Announcement

For your scholarly consideration, brothers…

 

Feed: Cyberbrethren Lutheran Blog Feed
Posted on: Friday, January 15, 2010 7:25 AM
Author: Paul T. McCain
Subject: Reformation Theology Research Award Announcement

 

Sponsored by Concordia Publishing House

Goal
To promote the study of Lutheran Confessional theology (16th century to present), its history, and its application in congregational life.

2011 Topic
American theologian, C. F. W. Walther, in honor of the 200th anniversary of his birth

Submissions
Research paper or commemorative sermon and prayer

Cash Award
$1,200 award for the best original research paper; $600 award for the 2nd place paper
$200 award for best commemorative sermon and prayer (May 7 commemoration of C. F. W. Walther, Theologian)

Publication Honors
The award-winning papers, other selected papers, and the best commemorative sermon and prayer will be published with a bibliographic essay on the state-of-the art in research on C. F. W. Walther's service as a theologian. The publication will also include the jurors' list of noteworthy researchers and their research topics so that writers may collaborate for future study.

Term and Conditions (Summary)
Anyone may enter a 25-page research paper with 3–5 pages of bibliography. Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod pastors and divinity students may enter a sermon and prayer. However, each submission must carefully adhere to the terms and conditions of the award (details provided below). Submit your text to:

Rev. Edward A. Engelbrecht, STM

ed.engelbrecht@cph.org

Or:
Rev. Edward A. Engelbrecht
Concordia Publishing House
3558 S. Jefferson Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63118-3968

To maintain objectivity, the senior editor will catalog the entries and remove the names of all authors. A panel of theologians will jury all entries submitted by October 31, 2010. Announcement of award winners will coincide with the publication of the finalist papers in 2011.

Please read the extended entry for the terms and conditions.

Term and Conditions (Details)

Term
The entry period for a submission of: 1) a research paper, or 2) a commemorative sermon and prayer, on C. F. W. Walther begins January 31, 2010 and ends October 31, 2010. No additional submissions will be accepted after the close of the entry period.

Participants
Any individual may submit a research paper and its bibliography. Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod pastors or divinity students may submit a sermon and prayer. Employees of Concordia Publishing House who are or were employed during the term described above, members of the Board of Directors at Concordia Publishing House, and jurors appointed for the award are not eligible to participate. All participants must submit accurate and truthful information about themselves in English. CPH will not reveal identities of participants unless and until they receive awards and publication honors.

Research Paper and Bibliography Format

A paper must present original and previously unpublished research. A paper may not exceed 25 manuscript pages in length (8.5" x 11" page; 12-point Roman font; double-spaced type). Entries must be in MS Word. The body text must be written in English; footnotes may include texts cited from other languages. All annotations must have complete reference information and conform to the CPH Style Sheet. The jury process requires anonymity. Documents written so as to reveal the writer's identity will be disqualified. (E.g., Do not write with personal references to earlier work such as, "In an earlier article, I showed . . . ." A previously published writer should refer to himself in the third person.) A research paper will investigate historical theology by integrating doctrinal history, personal history, and church history within the broader context of civilization. It will present original research and conclusions. Its thesis will be introduced with the words, "The thesis of this paper is . . . ." The paper will include explicit references to passages from the Lutheran Confessions and may include interaction with other theological traditions as appropriate to the topic. The final section of the paper shall have the heading, "Application to Parish Life Today." There you will compare/contrast the paper's historical theology topic with issues faced by people now, concluding with admonition and encouragement for modern readers. Each research paper shall be accompanied by 3–5 pages of bibliography (8.5" x 11" page; 12-point Roman font; double-spaced type). Under the heading, "Primary Resources," the participant will list all primary resource material used. Following a heading, "Secondary Resources," the participant will list all helpful secondary resources used that pertain directly to Walther. (The bibliography should not include general reference works such as lexicons, unless cited for specific arguments in the paper.) Bibliographic entries must be in MS Word, have complete reference information, and conform to the CPH Style Sheet. CPH reserves the right to reject any paper that advocates teachings that are contrary to the Scriptures or the Lutheran Confessions, or which is written by an individual that has publically criticized Concordia Publishing House, or The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Sermon and Prayer Format
The Sermon and Prayer entries will focus on the May 7 commemoration of C. F. W. Walther, Theologian (Lutheran Service Book, p. xii, the hymnal of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod). Each sermon entry must be original and previously unpublished. The entry shall include: (1) the feast day, (2) the title, (3) the biblical text reference, (4) the statement of theme in capital letters, (5) a brief outline, (6) the body of the sermon, and (7) a concluding prayer. The total entry shall not exceed 5–7 manuscript pages (8.5" x 11" page; 12-point Roman font; double-spaced type). For more specific guidelines and examples, participants may consult the "Author's Guidelines: Special Sermons" for Concordia Pulpit Resources.
Jurors will consider the style and content of the sermon and prayer, with special interest in their faithfulness to the biblical text, application of the biblical text, and appropriateness to the life and service of C. F. W. Walther.
The jury process requires anonymity. Documents written so as to reveal the writer's identity will be disqualified. (E.g., Do not write with personal references to earlier work such as, "In an earlier message, I showed . . . ." A previously published writer should refer to himself in the third person.) CPH reserves the right to reject any sermon or prayer that advocates teachings that are contrary to the Scriptures or the Lutheran Confessions, or which is written by an individual that has publically criticized Concordia Publishing House, or The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

Submission of Entries
Entries must include the writer's complete contact information (email address, mailing address, and phone number) in a cover letter or email. They shall be submitted to Rev. Edward A. Engelbrecht, CPH Senior Editor for Professional and Academic Books & Bible Resources. They may be sent by email attached file or standard mail to the following:

ed.engelbrecht@cph.org

Or:

Rev. Edward A. Engelbrecht
Concordia Publishing House
3558 S. Jefferson Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63118-3968

The senior editor or his assistant will acknowledge receipt of each complete submission. Because the jury process requires anonymity, the senior editor will catalog all entries and remove the writer's name from each document before the jury process begins. Documents written so as to reveal the writer's identity will be disqualified (see above).
Judging of Qualifying Entries
A participant shall reasonably cooperate with the senior editor and the jury process in any verification of information about an entry or eligibility.
A panel of jurors will judge each entry based on the conditions of the award as well as personal assessment of the entry's content and style. The jurors will select the best papers. They will make known the first and second place research papers and sermon/prayer to the senior editor in spring 2011. The senior editor will contact the award winners and other writers who submitted entries that will be published.

Cash Awards
$1,200 (USD) will be awarded for the best original research paper, $600 for the second place paper and $200 for the best commemorative sermon and prayer.
Publication Honors
The award-winning papers and the best commemorative sermon and prayer will be published with a bibliographic essay on the state-of-the art in research on C. F. W. Walther's service as a theologian. In addition, other selected essays may be published. Authors of other essays selected for publication will receive a copy of the printed volume. The publication will also include the jurors' list of noteworthy researchers and their research topics so that writers may collaborate for future study.

Additional Terms and Conditions
1) By submitting an entry to the context, each entrant hereby assigns exclusive right in their contribution to CPH for one year from the date of publication. Thereafter, they assign non-exclusive rights to CPH while the book remains in print in any form now know or hereinafter developed, including, but not limited to, electronic rights. CPH and/or its contracted general editor have the right to edit the contributions to suit the requirements of its doctrinal and editorial polices. CPH holds the right to final editorial approval. By submitting a contribution, each entrant certifies that their contribution contains no material, the publication of which would violate any copyright or other personal or property right of any person or entity and CPH may rely on the entrant's representation in publishing their contribution.
2) CPH, as sponsor of the competition, will be the final arbiter of all questions regarding entries, judging, interpretation of the rules, and other aspects of this contest. In the event that there is an insufficient number of qualified entries or if the jurors determine in their absolute discretion that no or too few entries meet the quality standards established to award the prizes, CPH reserves the right not to award the prizes. CPH will not be responsible for incomplete, lost, late or misdirected, or illegible entries for failure to receive entries due to transmission failures or technical failures of any kind.
3) All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. Void where prohibited.
4) By entering, entrants acknowledge compliance with these rules, including all eligibility requirements.
5) Except where prohibited, participation in the contest constitutes entrant's consent to publication of his or her name and image in any media for any commercial or promotional purpose, without limitation or further compensation.
6) Winners agree that CPH, its employees and agents, shall not be liable for injury, loss or damage of any kind resulting from participating in this contest or from any acceptance or use of any prize awarded. Winner is responsible for all federal, state or local taxes that may be due upon acceptance of the award.
7) The prize is non-transferable.


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