conversions Flashcards
What does conversion mean
comes from the latin word ‘converter’ meaning ‘to turn around’ or change direction
In the NT was does conversion mean
renouncing the past and embracing a new way of life
how does William James describe a conversion
UNIFYING OF INNER SELF
‘unified and consciously right, superior and happy, in consequence of its firmer hold on religious beliefs’
what should a conversion do
- help strengthen a person
- bring new faith
- new connection with god
- the will to change their lives and this will be visible to everyone around
key features- William James
- gradual or sudden
- self-surrendering
- passive or active
- transfroming
7 stages of conversion according to L.Rambo and R. Fachadian
- context- social, cultural etc
- crisis- event may cause upheaval to his or her existing way of life eg. near death experience
- quest
- encounter between converter and convert
- interaction- develop new behavioural patterns
- commitment- can be gradual or sudden
- consequences- short and long term effects, can be taken as a measure of validity of the conversion
from no faith to faith
e.g. Augustine- in his book CONFESSIONS he write ‘ it was as though the light of confidence flooded into my heart and all the darkness of doubt was dispelled’
from one faith to another
Sunda Singh was raised as a Sikh, then became Hindu and later became Christian. he accounts that the light filed the room and he saw an image of Jesus
Examples of modern day conversion
Nicky Cruz- gangster to charity worker
Sauls conversion
Saul is travelling to Damascus. On the road, suddenly a bright light appeared, so he fell to the ground and shouted ‘who are you, lord?’ and God replies ‘I am Jesus, why are you persecuting me?’. When he opened his eyes he could no longer see. He was helped back to Damascus and for three days he was without sight. He would not eat or drink. Ananias is called by god to go to Straight street in Damascus to place his hands on Saul. However he is resistant because Saul’s reputation is famous. However God explain to him that he has great plans for Saul. Ananias goes to Saul and touches him. Saul regains his sight and is baptised. Saul spends the rest of his life traveling the world preaching about the gospel and dies for his beliefs.
Story of Saul- 7 key stages of conversion
- Saul is travelling to Damascus to arrest Christians, he is a religious Jew- Pharisees.
- Crisis of faith and identity= ‘who are you, lord?”
- He became a preacher
- Bright light, spoken to by Jesus, goes blind
- He is baptised and starts preaching in Damascus and becomes a disciple.
- He starts preaching with disciples.
- Positively affects those around him, stops persecution.
Caroline franks davis explains conversions as
‘regenerative experiences’
william james on conversion
religious experience leads to consistency and stability
conversion bible
Saul- sudden
Moses- gradual
augustine
modern day conversions
Nicky cruz
ian mcdowell
