Purpose and Structure of a Literature Review

Introduction

At the doctoral level, the literature review is far more than a survey of existing scholarship. It is a critical, analytical, and synthetic exercise that situates the student’s research within the wider scholarly conversation. Its purpose is to demonstrate mastery of the field, identify gaps in existing knowledge, and justify the significance of the dissertation. Without a strong literature review, even an original project risks being dismissed as uninformed or redundant.

This article explores the purpose and structure of the literature review in doctoral research. We will discuss its academic and theological significance, its role in research design, the ways it integrates originality, rigor, and contribution, and the common pitfalls students must avoid. We will also provide practical strategies, biblical resonances, and case studies to equip doctoral students in Biblical Studies to craft literature reviews that are both methodologically robust and theologically responsible.

The Purpose of a Literature Review

Demonstrating Mastery

A literature review demonstrates that the student is conversant with the scholarship relevant to their field. This does not mean citing every source ever written, but showing familiarity with major voices, debates, and methodological approaches. For example, a dissertation on Pauline justification must engage with E. P. Sanders, James D. G. Dunn, N. T. Wright, and their interlocutors.

Identifying Gaps

The literature review is not simply descriptive; it is diagnostic. It identifies where scholarship falls short, where debates remain unresolved, or where evidence has not been fully considered. These gaps form the foundation for the dissertation’s originality.

Justifying the Research

By engaging the literature, the review justifies why the dissertation matters. It demonstrates that the student is not reinventing the wheel but is addressing a genuine scholarly need.

Integrating Theological Responsibility

In Biblical Studies, the literature review also has a theological dimension. It acknowledges that the interpretation of Scripture has a long and complex history, and situates the dissertation as part of the ongoing task of faithful interpretation.

The Structure of a Literature Review

Organizing Principles

A well-structured literature review avoids the pitfalls of a mere annotated bibliography. Instead, it is organized thematically, methodologically, or historically to show how scholarship has developed and where the dissertation fits.

• Thematic: Grouping works according to shared topics (e.g., Pauline law, Pauline grace, Pauline eschatology).

• Methodological: Grouping works by approaches (e.g., historical-critical, rhetorical, socio-rhetorical, theological).

• Historical: Tracing the development of interpretation over time (e.g., Reformation readings, modern critical approaches, contemporary debates).

The Flow of Argument

A literature review should have a narrative arc. It moves from broader scholarship to narrower debates, setting up the specific space where the dissertation will make its contribution. Each section should end by highlighting what remains unresolved, leading naturally to the next.

The Role of Critique

Description must always be paired with critique. For example:

• Sanders’s “covenantal nomism” provided a groundbreaking paradigm, but later critics argued it flattened diversity within Second Temple Judaism.

• N. T. Wright reframed justification in covenantal terms, yet his interpretation has been critiqued for underemphasizing forensic dimensions.

This kind of evaluative language shows that the student is not passively reporting but actively engaging with the literature.

Biblical Resonance

The literature review reflects the biblical principle of listening before speaking. James exhorts believers to be “quick to hear, slow to speak” (Jas. 1:19). In scholarly terms, this means engaging deeply with what others have said before offering one’s own contribution. Proverbs 18:13 warns, “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.” The literature review ensures that doctoral students listen carefully to the scholarly tradition before speaking their own voice.

Case Studies

Example 1: The New Perspective on Paul

The literature reviews in dissertations engaging the New Perspective often begin with Sanders’s Paul and Palestinian Judaism, move through Dunn’s articulation of the “New Perspective,” and then engage critics like Seyoon Kim and Stephen Westerholm. The structure highlights how each voice shaped the debate, where tensions remain, and how the dissertation will contribute.

Example 2: Feminist Biblical Interpretation

A dissertation in feminist hermeneutics might structure its literature review around three waves: early critiques of androcentric scholarship, the development of feminist theological method (e.g., Fiorenza), and contemporary intersectional approaches. This structure highlights both historical progression and methodological diversification.

Practical Guidelines

1. Map the Field: Begin by identifying major works, key journals, and landmark debates.

2. Be Selective: Focus on sources most relevant to your question; do not attempt to summarize everything.

3. Synthesize, Don’t Summarize: Group sources, highlight patterns, and point to debates rather than listing book by book.

4. Engage Critically: Always pair description with evaluation.

5. Signal the Gap: End each section by noting unresolved issues that point toward your dissertation.

Assignments

1. Mini Literature Review (3,000 words): Write a review of scholarship on a chosen biblical theme (e.g., apocalyptic imagery in Revelation). Structure it thematically, critique key works, and identify gaps.

2. Comparative Exercise: Select two dissertations in your field. Analyze their literature reviews for structure, depth, and effectiveness. Write a 2,000-word critique highlighting strengths and weaknesses.

3. Reception History Integration: Choose one biblical passage (e.g., Romans 13). Trace how it has been interpreted in at least three eras (Reformation, modern critical, contemporary). Write a 2,500-word literature review section modeling how historical reception can be integrated.

Conclusion

The literature review is the foundation upon which the dissertation is built. Its purpose is not merely to demonstrate that the student has read widely but to show mastery, discernment, and critical engagement. Structurally, it must be organized, coherent, and evaluative, always pointing toward the gap the dissertation will fill. For students of Biblical Studies, the literature review is both an academic and a theological exercise, a way of listening carefully to the voices of tradition and scholarship before adding one’s own voice to the conversation.

References

Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., & Williams, J. M. (2016). The craft of research (4th ed.). University of Chicago Press.

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE.

Fiorenza, E. S. (1983). In memory of her: A feminist theological reconstruction of Christian origins. Crossroad.

Phillips, E. M., & Pugh, D. S. (2010). How to get a PhD: A handbook for students and their supervisors (5th ed.). Open University Press.

Sanders, E. P. (1977). Paul and Palestinian Judaism. Fortress Press.

Swetnam, D., & Swetnam, R. (2009). Writing your dissertation: The bestselling guide to planning, preparing and presenting first-class work (3rd ed.). How To Books.

Wright, N. T. (2013). Paul and the faithfulness of God. Fortress Press.