Journal Article Critique
THEO 510
Journal Article Critique Instructions
You will complete 2 Journal Article Critiques in this course. For each, you will read a peer-reviewed, scholarly journal article on a topic covered in this class and write a critique that is a minimum of two full pages and not to exceed 3 full pages, double-spaced critique.
Journal Article Critique 1 is an opportunity for you to critique an article on a topic that is in the biblical theology discipline. Journal Article Critique 1 is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of Module/Week 2.
Journal Article Critique 2 is an opportunity for you to critique an article on a topic that is in the systematic theology discipline. Journal Article Critique 2 is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of Module/Week 5.
Purposes: Besides preparing you for the Research Paper, the critiques have several purposes:
· To expose you to scholarly journal articles.
· To train you to write with clarity and concision.
· To develop your ability to critically analyze scholarly works.
· To teach you how to properly utilize the Turabian format.
· To improve your technical writing skills (e.g., grammar and syntax).
Details: For each critique, find a peer-reviewed, scholarly journal article about 10–20 pages long that covers an area in this course. A few peer-reviewed journals are the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Bibliotheca Sacra, Grace Theological Journal, and the Westminster Theological Journal. Since magazines (e.g., Christianity Today, Visions, etc.) are not considered scholarly, they do not contain appropriate articles to critique. In addition to the journal article being critiqued, one outside source is required. If you need assistance in locating a peer-reviewed scholarly journal article, please use the Online Student Library Services (www.liberty.edu/informationservices/ilrc/library/) website. You may also email the Liberty University Online Librarian at [email protected] for further information.
The following is not an exhaustive list of topics but some you may want to consider for your critiques. Please review Enns’ text for other select topics for biblical and systematic theology.
Biblical Theology
Old Testament Theology
The Doctrine of Revelation in the OT
The OT Doctrine of God
The Works of God in the OT
The Triunity of God in the OT
The Doctrine of Man in the OT
OT and the Doctrine of Soteriology
OT Eschatology
New Testament Theology
The Person of Christ in Synoptic Theology
The Work of Christ
Synoptic Theology: Teachings of Christ (Kingdom of God, God, Man, Salvation)
Doctrine of God in Pauline Theology (Sovereignty of God, Nature of God)
The Deity of Christ in Pauline Theology
Christology in the OT (or in a select period, book)
The Atonement in the OT
The Doctrine of Salvation in Pauline or Johnannine Theology
The Doctrine of Revelation in John’s Theology
Theology of the General Epistles
Systematic Theology
The Doctrine of Revelation (General or Special Revelation)
The Attributes of God
The Deity of Jesus Christ
The Atoning Work of Christ
The Deity of the Holy Spirit
The Work of the Holy Spirit
Angelology: Doctrine of Angels, Satan, and Demons
The Image of God in Man
The Nature of Man: Dichotomy or Trichotomy
Doctrine of Sin
The Total Depravity of Man
Doctrine of Salvation
The Nature of the Church
The Ordinances of the Church
Eschatology: Doctrine of Last Things
Read the article you select and then write your 2 to 3 page critique. You are expected to read the articles with a critical eye and to interact with the author’s theology and worldview. Since you are not considered an authority, you must withhold personal references, opinions, attitudes, and values from the critiquing process. Instead, follow this template when writing each critique:
I. Title Page
II. Contents Page (Section headings should be as follows: Introduction, Brief Summary, Critical Interaction, Conclusion, Selected Bibliography, See T., pp. 397-98)
III. Body of Critique Includes the Following Sections:
A. Introduction (1 paragraph)
1. Provide a purpose statement.
2. Provide a brief overview of the paper’s contents.
B. Brief Summary (1 paragraph)
1. Capture the thesis of the article.
2. Share the overall content of the article.
C. Critical Interaction (1–2 paragraphs): The following questions maybe considered when writing the critique section.
1. The point is not whether you agree with the author’s point of view, but that you recognize what the author is discussing and what theological issues are at stake.
2. It is important for you to document your assessment of the author throughout your critique. If you evaluate the author’s opinion, give an example along with an endnote to designate outside sources where the opinion can be observed.
3. What prompted this theologian to write on this theological/philosophical topic?
4. With what theological and biblical perspectives does he/she approach the subject?
5. What is the author’s goal?
6. Has the author developed his/her thesis logically?
7. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the author’s arguments?
8. What are some applications that arise from this article?
D. Conclusion (1 paragraph)
1. This is where you summarize your research by conveying how well the author achieved his/her goals. Very briefly summarize your evaluations here.
2. Does the author leave you with any questions? If so, what are they?
IV. Selected Bibliography or Works Cited page
The 2 to 3 page requirement refers to the Introduction, Brief Summary, Critical Interaction, and Conclusion sections. It does not include the Title, Contents, or Selected Bibliography pages. If you do not meet the 2 to 3 page requirement for section III, points will be deducted accordingly.
Formatting Requirements: Make sure your critiques are formatted in the following manner:
· Follow Turabian style (as specified in the Turabian manual) for the critique.
· Use footnotes to document research statements.
· Use 1” margins all around.
· Make text double-spaced.
· Use 12-point Times New Roman font.
· Indent the 1st line of a paragraph ½ inch.
· Include section headings in the body of your critique.
· Do not insert any extra lines between paragraphs.
· Include a cover page, following the format of the Journal Article Critique Sample Cover Page found in Blackboard.
Grading: Consult the Journal Article Critique Rubric to see how you will be graded for each critique. Students typically lose the most points in section III, Critical Interaction.
�Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 7th ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003).
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