Assuming a person is a Christian . . . Would an "essential change" happen when the Holy Spirit indwells us (see Ch. 4 for definition of "essential change")? Or, will not an "essential change" occur until we are resurrected? Will an "essential change" ever occur to us (whether while we are on earth or in heaven)? You may take these questions in terms of our souls, minds, and/or bodies. What do you think?

As I mentioned in class today, I wonder at if our "souls" ever change when we ask Jesus to be our Savior? Can our souls change? Perhaps our souls become "closer" to God and "farther away" from God depending on if we accept Jesus? What about the theology that once a person is a Christian (i.e. "saved" by Jesus, accepts Jesus as Lord) s/he cannot become a non-Christian? Does this involve an "essential change" in the soul, mind, and/or body? Do you even accept that theology? I'm not sure if I do. Does anyone know verses that support that view? I wonder, if you accepted Jesus as a child (sincerely) and once you were an adult you became a mass murderer (or some such other horrible act) and basically renounced Jesus with your actions, would you still be a Christian because you accepted Jesus as a child? Did that act when you were young cause your soul to have an "essential change"?

OK, I'm confusing myself now. Let me know what you think!