JOURNAL ARTICLE CRITIQUE of

Skeen, J. Principles of the Heart: Growth of New Life in US. The American Journal of
Theology. (August 2010): 22-32.

THEO 525 LUO (Fall 2011) Systematic Theology I

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary

Nathaniel Jones (ID# L21077684)

November 6, 2011

Summary This article talks about how all Christians are concerned with change, or at least they should be. The author states that, change for the Christian starts with one's basic approach to life from being a selfish person alienated from God to a repentant follower of Christ. A person is brought to this point of basic life change by God's grace through the wooing power of the Holy Spirit.1 The thesis of this paper that Christian change is based on the growth of God's creative act within the interior part, not the self-reformation or self-transformation of what is called the old man (Colossians 3:5-9) or old self (Romans 6:6).2

Critical Interaction The article also talks about how people such as felons and addicts change their lives because they feel that they need to have change in their life. The author believes that evidence from an investigation of the New Testament will reveal that Christian change involves not only human effort but completeness and growth. The author states that the New Testament teaches us that Christ likeness is not accomplished by human effort or ingenuity but it is a gift of God.3 This section should be approximately two paragraphs and notice that the subheading is Christianity has lost its uniqueness and its power. David Kupelian correctly states, Many thoughtful analysts say the church today is more in need of overhaul than it was at the time of the Protestant Reformation. 4

Conclusion Christian change is based on the growth of God's creative act within the interior part, not the self-reformation or self-transformation of what is called the old man (Colossians 3:5-9) or old self (Romans 6:6).2 We as Christians has to embrace and accept change, for without change we cannot truly grow as Christians.

NOTES

Skeen, J. Principles of the Heart: Growth of New Life in US. The American Journal of
Theology. (August 2010): 22-32.
2
3

Ibid Ibid David Kupelian, How Atheism is Being Sold to America, WorldNet Daily, October 11, 2007.