Download Citing Biblical Sources in Chicago Style: Footnotes and Short Form and more Study notes Theology in PDF only on Docsity!
Chicago Format: Citing Biblical Sources in Chicago Style (Footnotes in Short Form)
This handout provides sample citations for the most frequently used Biblical sources. For full details on Chicago style, see The Chicago Manual of
Style ( CMS ) in the Clark Library reference collection (Z253 .U69 2003) or online.
Footnotes & Short Form:
According to section 14.14 of The Chicago Manual of Style , if the bibliography includes all cited works, than all footnotes can use short form.
Short form usually includes: Last name of author, Shortened form of title, Page number (see CMS sections 14.24 – 14.28)
For online resources that don’t have page numbers: only cite the author and title (you don’t need to include the URL).
Author tips: Title tips:
Omit abbreviations such as ed. or trans.
Cite last names for works with 2 or 3 authors. For works with
4 or more authors, cite the first author followed by et al.:
Jones et al.
Omit initial articles such as A , An , The.
Titles that contain more than 4 words should be shortened;
the order of words in the title should not be changed.
Formatting Footnotes:
In Microsoft Word 2007, go to the References tab, look for the Footnotes group, and choose Insert Footnote. Note: MS Word does not indent
footnotes correctly; the first line of the footnote needs to be indented ½ inch (5 spaces). You will need to fix this.
Footnotes should be the same font type and size as the rest of your paper. It is important to be consistent.
Choosing the best sources:
Follow your professor’s guidelines.
Use current sources: for theology it is preferable to use sources published in the past 20-30 years.
Avoid using internet sources, except for articles in library databases (ATLA Religion Database, Religion & Philosophy Collection).
Commentaries (see CMS sections 14.69 – 14.132)
Footnote example: (^) Bibliography example: Tips:
Single- volume commentary
- Perkins, “Gospel According to John,” 945.
Perkins, Pheme. “The Gospel According to John.” In The New Jerome Biblical Commentary , edited by Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, and Roland E. Murphy, 942-85. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1990.
The chapter author is usually listed at the beginning of a chapter on a book of the Bible.
Always include the city of
publication; add the state abbreviation if the city is not well known.
Multi-volume commentary
- Boring, “Gospel of Matthew,” 8:94. Boring, M. Eugene. “The Gospel of Matthew.” In The New Interpreter’s Bible , edited by Leander E. Keck, vol. 8, 89-505. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1994.
The New Interpreter’s Bible Table of Contents will list the author of the chapter on your book of the Bible. Only cite the chief/head editor.
First line of a footnote is indented .5” Subsequent lines are not indented.
Book-length commentary of 1 book of the Bible
- Bright, Jeremiah , 60. Bright, John. Jeremiah. The Anchor Bible. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1965.
Include the series title (e.g. The Anchor Bible) after the book title. The series title is not italicized.
Book-length commentary with series number
- Donahue and Harrington, Gospel of Mark , 195.
Donahue, John R. and Daniel J. Harrington. The Gospel of Mark. Sacra Pagina, no. 2. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2002.
Include the series number, if known. Series editor is usually omitted.
Other Biblical Reference Sources (see CMS sections 14.247 – 14.248)
Footnote example: (^) Bibliography example: Tips: Bible dictionary
- Anchor Bible Dictionary , s.v. “Exodus, Book of.”
Sarna, Nahum M. “Exodus, Book of.” In Anchor Bible Dictionary , edited by David Noel Freedman, vol. 2, 689-700. New York: Doubleday, 1992.
Use s.v. (Latin for “sub verbo”), followed by the entry title, for dictionaries in alphabetical order (plural form is s.vv.).
Biblical History source
- Thompson, Handbook of Life, 83. Thompson, J.A. Handbook of Life in Bible Times. Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1986.
Online Biblical reference source
- Oxford Guide, s.v. “Moses.” Hayes, John H. “Moses.” In The Oxford Guide to People and Places of the Bible. Accessed August 6, 2013. https://login.ezproxy-eres.up.edu/login?url= http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acre f/9780195146417.001.0001/acref- 9780195146417 - e- 214.
Use s.v. (Latin for “sub verbo”), followed by the entry title, for articles in online reference sources. Online reference works should include access dates, since they may be updated frequently. Encyclopedia (print)
- New Catholic Encyclopedia , s.v. “Ephesus.”
Camelot, P. T. "Ephesus." In The New Catholic Encyclopedia , edited by William J. McDonald, vol. 5, 457-458. New York: McGraw Hill, 1967.
Encyclopedia (online)
- New Catholic Encyclopedia , s.v. “Red Sea.”
Hunt, M. J. "Red Sea." In The New Catholic Encyclopedia. Accessed August 6, 2013. https://login.ezproxy- eres.up.edu/login?url= http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CC X3407709364&v=2.1&u=port18814&it=r&p=GVR L&sw=w.
Publication details (publisher, volume number, date, etc.) may be omitted for online reference works.
Citing the Bible (continued)
Footnote example: (^) Bibliography example: Tips: Chronological Table in a Bible
Map in a Bible
- Wansbrough, “Chronological Table,” 2070.
- Wansbrough, “Map 3,” Supplements.
Wansbrough, Henry, ed. “Chronological Table.” In The New Jerusalem Bible, 2055 - 2074. New York: Doubleday, 1990.
Wansbrough, Henry, ed. “Map 3: Palestine of the Old Testament.” In The New Jerusalem Bible, Supplements. New York: Doubleday, 1990.
Journal Articles (see CMS sections 14.170 – 14.198; 14.271)
Footnote example: (^) Bibliography example: Tips:
Full-text article from ATLA
- Kilgallen, “Elder Son,” 187. Kilgallen, John J. “The Elder Son.” Expository Times 115, no. 6 (2004): 186-89. https://login.ezproxy- eres.up.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.co m/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN= 5&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
For the URL, cite ATLA’s “Permalink” (linked from the screen with the article’s abstract), NOT the URL from your browser. Access dates are not needed for articles from library databases.
Article from print journal
- Fewell and Gunn, “Boaz, Pillar of Society,” 46.
Fewell, Danna Nolan, and David M. Gunn. “Boaz, Pillar of Society: Measures of Worth in the Book of Ruth.” Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 45 (1989): 45-59.
If you cite an issue number, you can omit the month/season. Bibliography: If an article has more than 10 authors cite the first seven, followed by et al. Footnote: If an article has more than 4 authors, cite the first author, followed by et al.
Article retrieved from online source
- Booij, “Psalm 141,” 100. Booij, Thijs. “Psalm 141: A Prayer for Discipline and Protection.” Biblica 86, no. 1 (2005): 97-106. http://www.bsw.org/Biblica/Vol- 86 - 2005/Psalm- 141 - A-Prayer-For-Discipline-And- Protection/130/.
Access dates are only needed for web sites that may be updated frequently.
Citing Web Sites (see CMS sections 14.243 – 14.246):
Footnote example: (^) Bibliography example: Tips: Web site: 1. White, “Apocalyptic Literature.” White, Michael. “Apocalyptic Literature in Judaism and Early Christianity.” Frontline. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/a pocalypse/primary/white.html.
Include: author, page title, title or owner of the site, and URL in web page citations.
Web site (pastoral statement):
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, “Renewing the Earth.”
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. “Renewing the Earth: An Invitation to Reflection and Action on Environment in Light of Catholic Social Teaching, A Pastoral Statement of the United States Catholic Conference, November 14, 1991.” United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. http://www.usccb.org/issues-and- action/human-life-and-dignity/environment/ renewing-the-earth.cfm
Include: author, page title, title or owner of the site, and URL in web page citations.
Web site that may be updated frequently
- Association of Religion Data Archives, “Religious Tradition.”
Association of Religion Data Archives. “Religious Tradition.” The Association of Religion Data Archives. Accessed May 20, 2009, http://www.thearda.com/ quickstats/qs_58.asp.
Include access dates only for sources that may be updated frequently
YouTube video
- Enuma Elish. Enuma Elish to Genesis. YouTube Video, 8:20. Posted by heterodoxism2, October 13, 2010. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyZ8POCaHp M.
Cite the author if you know who created the video. Do not list the person who posted the video online as the author.
Citing unpublished sources for your papers from the Chicago Manual of Style (see CMS sections 14.224 – 14.231):
Footnote example: (^) Bibliography example: Tips:
Item from Theology 205 Course Booklet:
- G. Gray, "Biblical Traditions and Cultures” (course booklet), 16.
Gray, George. "Biblical Traditions and Cultures: Assignments, Readings, Charts, Guidelines." Course Booklet, Theology 205 C & E, University of Portland, Fall 2008.
Titles of unpublished works should be put in quotation marks and not italicized.
A Sample Paper:
- C. Gray, "The Historical Background of Acts 7" (sample paper), 3.
Gray, Chauncie. "The Historical Background of Acts 7." Sample paper, Theology 205, University of Portland, May 16, 2007.
Include first name or initial if you cite 2 or more authors with the same last name.
Notes or other items on course website:
- “Babylonian Creation Story," course website.
"The Babylonian Creation Story (Enuma Elish)." Accessed September 19, 2007. Theology 205 E course website.
Style Sheet for Biblical Citations
Theology Department
Students should check with each instructor for specifics appropriate to the assignments!
General Guideline
Once you have determined which translation of the Bible will be your default translation (e.g. New American
Bible translation as used in the College Study Bible ), it is customary to use “in line” references with
parentheses, for example (John 4: 5-6). To inform the reader which translation will be default, the first time you
cite the Bible in this way, insert a footnote at that point indicating, “The New American Bible translation will be
used throughout this paper” or the like. Please note that the direction for citing the Bible in A Writer's Resource
(2007) 378, Section 35/c/9 is a general rule that may apply for papers in courses other than Theology but is
not to be used in Theology courses. If at any time you choose to use a translation different from the default to
make a specific point, then you are to indicate that in the narrative of your text or in a footnote.
Titles of Bible books
If you are referring to a book or a chapter of a book, but not specific verses, you need to write out the name of
the book in full. Abbreviations are customary for citing book and chapter with specific verses. It is not
customary to use periods after abbreviated book names, but do put spaces between the abbreviations and
chapter numbers. Thus: Romans or Romans 9, but: Rom 9:2.
Citation of books, chapters, verses
Use colons between chapter and verse numbers. [Matt 13:12 means verse 12 of chapter 13 of Matthew’s
Gospel. FYI: Europeans use a different format, putting commas here.]
Use commas between verse numbers of the same chapter [Mark 2:13, 17 means chapter 2, verses 13 and
17 only] and between chapter numbers, but only if no verses are given [Rev 1, 4 means chapters 1 and 4
of the Book of Revelation].
Use semicolons between references that give chapter and verse numbers from different chapters [2:13; 3:
means the two verses 2:13 and 3:6 only].
Use a single dash between verses to indicate "from-to" within one chapter [Mark 2:13-17 means chapter 2,
from verse 13 to verse 17] or between chapter numbers without verses [Genesis 1-4 means chapters 1, 2,
3, and 4 of the Book of Genesis].
[For recognition only - not common in the U.S: Sometimes you will see a double dash to indicate "from--to"
between different chapters (with or without spaces, does not matter much).]
Summary Chart
Matt 13:12 means verse 12 of chapter 13 of Matthew’s
Gospel
Romans 9 means all of chapter 9 of Paul's Letter to the
Romans
Rev 1, 4 means chapters 1 and 4 of the Book of
Revelation
Genesis 1-4 means chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the Book of
Genesis
Mark 2:13, 17 means chapter 2, verses 13 and 17 only Mark 2:13-17 means chapter 2, from verse 13 to verse 17
2:13; 3:6 means the two verses 2:13 and 3:6 only 2:13 - 3:6 means the whole section from 2:13 to 3:
(sometimes seen as 2:13 – 3:6, using the double dash)
Created by: Fr. Rutherford
Love God and Your Neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40)
Sample Paper with Footnotes
According to Matthew 22:36-37, when Jesus is asked “which commandment in the law is the greatest” he
indicates “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”^1
This verse has connections to several other passages in the Bible, including Deuteronomy 6:5.^2 In this Old
Testament verse, love refers not to “a feeling but covenant fidelity, a matter of willing and doing.”^3 The
command to love God is part of the Shema, which habitually begins with a confession of the oneness of God; it
is not clear why this statement is not reflected in Matthew.^4
Jesus follows the command to love god with his pronouncement a second commandment, which is “You shall
love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt 22:39). However, the translation from the Hebrew indicates that these two
commands are of equal importance: “One cannot first love God and then, as a second task, love one’s
neighbor. To love God is to love one’s neighbor, and vice versa.”^5 This love is an ongoing task: “one obeys the
great commandment as one shows love towards those one meets daily.”^6
Jesus concludes “on these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matt 22:40). Jesus’ unified
command to love God and love is described as “the hermeneutical key for interpreting all the divine revelation
- not only the Law, but the Prophets as well.”^7 According to the rabbis, the world hangs on Torah, Temple
service, and deeds of loving-kindness (or, on truth, judgment and peace.)^8 In this statement in Matthew, the
law instead depends on deeds of love.^9 Jesus’ statement does not discount the law or set the law in opposition
of the command to love; rather it sums up the law.^10 Thus, it becomes “not only the supreme expression of the
law, but the guiding principle for its interpretation.”^11
1. The New Revised Standard Version translation will be used throughout this paper.
2. Viviano, “Gospel According to Matthew,” 666.
3. Ibid.
4. Boring, “Gospel of Matthew,” 8:424.
5. Ibid., 426.
6. Anchor Bible Dictionary , s.v. “Love (NT and Early Jewish).”
7. Boring, “Gospel of Matthew,” 425.
8. Viviano, “Gospel According to Matthew,” 666.
9. Ibid.
10. Senior, Matthew , 253.
11. Ibid.