12.06.2005

What next?

I submitted my dissertation today at about 2:05 PM PDT. Now comes the anxiety-ridden waiting game. We don't have oral defenses, which to my mind would be more concentrated stress but less drawn out anxiety. Instead, I submit the dissertation, which then goes to my primary reader, who has been involved with the writing all along. The primary reader must pass it, then it goes to my secondary reader. At any point in the process the readers could send it back to me for minor or major revisions, or they could refuse to pass it because it is beyond repair. After both readers, who are internal to my school, pass it, the dissertation goes to an external reader. I will not know who this is. The dissertation then has to be approved by the external reader, who can send it back to me for more revisions or refuse to pass it altogether. I am told that there are at least 2-3 dissertations each year that do not get passed by the external reader. I know of someone who had to make serious revisions based on comments by the external reader. This friend's completion was delayed by at least a year because of this. So, this is where I stand. It is out of my hands for a while. I hope the worst-case scenario does not play out. I think at worst I will be asked to make some major revisions. At best, I could be all but done right now. What makes me a bt anxious is the fact that my dissertation is not a traditional NT dissertation. Rather, it is more in the realm of hermeneutics. It is also not a pragmatic argument, but rather a conceptual one. I'll have to wait and see how this is received by my readers who are probably more used to reading standard, practical dissertations. Feel free to pray!

BTW - The dissertation's title is THE MEANING OF SCRIPTURE: THINKING THEOLOGICALLY ABOUT SCRIPTURAL INTERPRETATION WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO STEPHEN E. FOWL AND KEVIN J. VANHOOZER

11 comments:

Chris Spinks said...

My husband is incredibly wonderful. Chris, I am so proud of what you've accomplished thus far and know that there will be much more to look forward to along the way!

donna said...

that last comment looks awesome...considering chris wrote it to himself...about himself. ;)

seriously chris, there is NO WAY that you will see the worst case scenario play out. please, put that option out of your head. i certainly hope that you can call this thing "done" in less than a year. i can't believe that it is finally out of your hands...after so many years. congratulations!!!!

Chris Spinks said...

Let it be known that the first comment was typed by my lovely wife (thanks honey!), but she forgot to sign me out of blogger and sign in under her own identity.

Anonymous said...

way to go chris! i'm sure it will be a refreshing difference for those readers. who wants to read the same type of dissertation all the time? can't wait to see you later this month.

Anonymous said...

whoah, lots of readers both internally and externally. Dude, you got no problem with this dissertation business. And good point lardawg, Donna, do you work?

bet(h) said...

congrats, chris! whew. i can't wait to hear the good news, i am confident will come. may you find plenty of other relaxing, fun things to do in the meantime. i look forward to seeing you guys.

hannah said...

congrats on such a big accomplishment! i say since it is out of your hands, might as well put it out of your mind as well and enjoy the amazing amount of time this must free up! eating all types of asian foods perhaps?? cant wait to see you guys in kc!

donna said...

i wrote up an entire post about how i don't need to work because of a sugar daddy funding my lifestyle...but then i got really creeped out by my own words...so i'm just going to stop now...

Anonymous said...

big P, little h, big D.

Anonymous said...

that's what she said

Anonymous said...

that's what she said