All of the scholarly articles (what’s that?) published in the RealApologetics Theological Journal meet graduate-level writing standards and are peer-reviewed by degree-holding members of the RealApologetics.org staff. We are happy to accept unsolicited manuscripts! No politics, no fee, no membership to a society, and no denominational or seminary connection is necessary for publication! But a number of requirements must be met in order to qualify (see three categories below):
Technical Requirements
The essay must be either an academic essay or a book review. Both kinds of essays must meet the following 12 requirements:
- All text in Times New Roman font and single-spaced.
- All pages letter size and 1 inch margins on all sides.
- 16 point all caps bold, center aligned for essay title.
- 14 point all caps center aligned for the essay subtitle (if it has one) one line below main title.
- 12 point italicized and center aligned for author’s name one line below essay subtitle.
- A 10 point footnoted biography of contributor that is cited after the author’s name.
- 12 point and 1/2 inch paragraph indentations for main body text and block quotes.
- 1/2 inch indentation on left and right sides for block quotes (quotations longer than 2 lines).
- Subtitles and section titles must be organized in Roman numerals (I. II. etc.) in 12 point bold center-aligned, with a space after the number.
- Turabian/Chicago referencing (10 point footnotes). No bibliography or end notes are necessary.
- Scriptural quotations not in the ESV translation must be labeled (e.g. (Mark 1:1, NASB)). General Scripture titles and references must be full (e.g. “John 1:1 says” not “Jn. 1:1 says”) while all Scripture references in parenthesis must be abbreviated (e.g. “John says ‘in the beginning was the Word’ (Jn. 1:1)”).
- Attached as a file in .docx format (Word 2007 and newer) and sent to RealApologetics with “scholarship” as the subject. Essays for the summer (June) publication must be submitted by May 1st to be considered, essays for the winter (January) publication submitted by October 1st to be considered.
Academic essays must be between 3,000 and 10,000 words (not including footnotes). Book reviews must be between 1,000 and 3,000 words (not including footnotes).
Academic Requirements
Academic essays must fall in one or two of the following 7 categories:
- Exegetical Theology (biblical studies)
- Biblical Theology (redemptive historical studies)
- Systematic Theology (topical studies)
- Historical Theology (historical studies)
- Pastoral Theology (practical studies)
- Apologetics (critiques and refutations)
- Philosophical Theology (Christian thought)
The contributor must meet two of the seven following qualifications to be eligible for publication:
- Published books (100+ pages) on relevant topics (one or more of the seven areas of study listed above under academic essay requirements)
- Published research (not review) essays in peer-reviewed journals, magazines, or periodicals on relevant topics.
- Presented research (not review) essays at regional or national university or seminary-sponsored conferences on relevant topics.
- Completed coursework (12+ credits) in the Humanities (e.g. philosophy, biblical studies, theology, history) at the graduate (5xx) level.
- Obtained a four-year college degree or equivalent (96+ credits) in an area in the Humanities.
- Submitted to RealApologetics a 10 page writing sample of original, graduate-level research in a relevant topic and received approval by either Chief Editor or Associate Editor.
- Publicly debated on relevant topics. Note: online forums and online chat debates are not acceptable, but Skype (or other) audio debates are acceptable.
Doctrinal and Spiritual Requirements
The contributor must meet all three of the following doctrinal/spiritual requirements:
- Must be a member of a local church, or seeking membership at a local church.
- Must agree with the three RealApologetics.org distinctives (here).
- Must inform chief editor (email here) if contributor has substantial disagreement with any of the ministry creeds. The editors will determine if the disagreement is substantial enough to disqualify the contributor for writing (e.g. if you deny particular redemption, or perseverance of the saints, etc., you are not allowed to contribute) or disqualify the particular writing of the contributor (e.g. we gladly accept writings from paedobaptists, though it is unlikely an essay will be published if it is primarily written to undermine credobaptism).
Email if you are uncertain about any of this qualifications.