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Turning to God: Reclaiming Conversion as Unique, Necessary, and Supernatural
Does a person have to "convert" to be a Christian? Or can one merely "follow" Jesus by studying Scripture? Does the Bible ever say that conversion is necessary? Or is it a development of the church? Turning to God explores these fundamental questions about regeneration and conversion, distinguishing Christianity from every other faith as one in which conversion is unique, supernatural, and necessary for salvation. In it you will find a clear, thoughtful, balanced discussion of the Christian conversion experience, including its history, controversy, and scriptural basis. Anyone who has marveled at the mystery of how and why we turn to God, along with those skeptical of religious conversion, will find themselves challenged and encouraged by this thorough treatment of one of the fundamentals of the Christian faith.
189 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
3 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
David F. Wells
43 books97 followersDavid F. Wells (PhD, University of Manchester) is the Distinguished Senior Research Professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
In addition to serving as academic dean of its Charlotte campus, Wells has also been a member of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization and is involved in ministry in Africa.
He is the author of numerous articles and books, including a series that was initiated by a Pew grant exploring the nature of Christian faith in the contemporary, modernized world.
In addition to serving as academic dean of its Charlotte campus, Wells has also been a member of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization and is involved in ministry in Africa.
He is the author of numerous articles and books, including a series that was initiated by a Pew grant exploring the nature of Christian faith in the contemporary, modernized world.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 21, 2014
The author makes some interesting distinctions concerning certain approaches to Conversion. However, the book provides an unfortunately shallow look at the question of conversion. There are enormous amounts of unsupported claims, and the book is filled with Calvinist sounding claims which, due to the fact that they are neither properly supported and not properly nuanced, are false as stated. At best this book could serve as a popular (as opposed to an academic) introduction to the subject from a distinctly Calvinist perspective.
April 14, 2014
This is a theologically rich book that is a devastating critique of the shallow, or more accurately, unbiblical view that broad evangelicalism has of conversion.
A very helpful concept was his point about insider and outsider conversion. An insider is someone who has biblical presuppositions vs. an outsider who has no such foundation or biblical worldview structure.
Here are several main reasons that this book is wroth your read:
First, because of the rich and biblical theology on conversion. Wells is very careful to show that all people are converted by the same gospel and all must pass from death to life. However, the approach to the true reception of the gospel is different for various people (here is where he speaks much of the differences between insiders and outsiders). The following quote illustrates this biblical faithfulness.
"There are multiple routes toward Christ, some slow and some fast, some higher in emotion, others higher in rational content, but all in the end making the same submission, receiving the same grace, and entering the same family of God. On the other hand, this diversity should not be misinterpreted. Diversity of approach is not a diversity of gospel. Different paths toward Christ are not different religious roads to him. Christ i not hidden in secularism, or in Hinduism, or in political action, even that in the interests of the best causes. There are not multiple ways to God. Christ remains the only way, even though persons and cultures differ" (Page 71).
Second, because of the biblical emphasis on true conversion as evidenced by lasting fruit. As Wells aptly puts, "the test of conversion is a life of convertedness" (page 148).
Third, because of the "paragraph zingers." By this I mean there are many quotes that are penetrating and worth reading again and again. The following are examples of these "paragraph zingers."
"the key to key to social alienation (we are not appreciated sufficiently by others) and personal alienation ( we sense ourselves to be adrift, to have no moorings, to have no clear focus, no solid core to our lives) is alienation from God. once we understand that we are alienated from God--that we have substituted ourselves for him, have created our own norms and values in place of his, have seen ourselves as the center of life instead of him-then we easily understand that these inner needs are consequences of our sinful behavior" (72).
"How much knowledge is necessary for conversion? The answer is different for every person and must be formed functionally. We need as much knowledge as will bring us to an awareness of ourselves as sinners, sufficient knowledge to understand how Christ will 'solve' the problem we are sensing, enough knowledge to see how the world will look from within Christ, and enough knowledge to know what is asked of us as we believe the gospel and what will be required of us after we believe it. Providing this knowledge not only establishes the basis for a relationship with Christ but it also prevents evangelism from trading on misapprehension or employing manipulative devices. The convert comes into faith responsibly and the evangelist can be confident that the gospel has not been offered under false pretenses" (77).
"Decisions undertaken in the absence of a sufficient knowledge of God, his truth, and his Christ are decisions that will likely be malformed and so will probably lack direction and hence staying power. Decisions that occur in either of these ways are decisions brought about by pressures that should be considered manipulative: the crowd or circle of friends who exert psychological pressure or the evangelist who does a 'hard sell' and is so charismatic in personality or in presentation that the convert is drawn to the point of decision irresistibly. This person, let it be noted, is also being drawn foolishly and, perhaps, unethically. Decisions are not what counts. What counts are that there are men and women who, knowing themselves to be rebels and alienated from God, have sought in his Christ forgiveness and acceptance and, having sought and trusted, have been renewed by the Spirit and are impelled on to a life of truthfulness and love" (79).
"In line with this conviction, evangelists frequently orchestrate intense pressure point at the close of each meeting of each crusade, seeking to 'draw in the net' and 'reap the harvest.' If, however, 'decision' and 'commitment' mean repentance and faith,and if faith and repentance can occur only as the convicting Spirit of God actually changes the person inwardly, and if the working of the Spirit is no ours to command there is some unreality and some misdirection, as well as some manipulation in making it appear as if coming forward for counseling, or responding with whatever other gesture is asked for, will eternally clinch, here and now, the issue of a person's conversion. Even if it is said from the platform that this is not necessarily so, the procedure itself seems to tell a different story" (95).
"Materialists are of two kinds. Some, like the Marxists, are philosophical; others, like most Westerners, are unthinking. Marxists are theoretical atheists whereas secular Westerners are practical atheists. For them, materialism is not a system of thought that has inclined them to exclude God from consideration but a whole web of relationships in life whose interests are centrally affluent and whose cognitive horizons make the pursuit of 'the good life' normative" (119).
"Sin is not primarily about breaking rules, although it results in that; it is not at bottom about self-centeredness, although it always is that. It is at bottom a refusal to let God be God over life, to give him the center, the focus, the glory that are his" (124).
"Can we add anything to all the books that have been written about him, all the institutions and companies that have made use of his name? There may not be much to add, but there is much that needs to be striped away! Christ is not an agitator. He offers no new, intense experiences. He does not sell anything. He is, and that is all--like a flower on the restaurant table in the midst of the smoke and the talk. This is not what everybody else is promising today. In the advertisements, in the porno papers, in the new spiritual movements the message is clear--we have exactly what you have been looking for! Here is the answer to all your questions! We'll straighten out the mystery of life for you! This simplification turns everyone into nothing more than a shallow consumer. Christ is not for consumption but for worship. The person who knows God as Another-the one who is the Outside, whom we meet not as one of our experiences but as other than our experiences--is the person who can begin to see other people as well. When we have broken through the unreality that enables us to think that what is real is only what goes on in the inner recesses of our selves, we are in a position to see that others also have reality, that they are other than ourselves, that as we worship God so we can now love them." (128).
"Christian faith is not primarily about inner contentment, though it may yield that. It is not about happiness, though it may produce that. It is not a short cut to health or to wealth but to suffering and, in many parts of the world, to serious deprivation. How, then could we in the West have recast the gospel in terms of contentment and affluence when Jesus said that those who followed him would have to take up, not the pleasurable pursuit of fulfilling themselves, but the cross by which they would be emptied of themselves? IT is hard to imagine how the gospel could have been more decisively stood on its head and emptied of its meaning than when it has been misconstrued in these ways" (141).
"We need to begin by observing, then, that the gospel is not first and foremost about ourselves. It is not a device for getting what we want or need. It is not a technique for self-improvement or self-accomplishment. It is not a means of tapping our own inner resources. It does not offer itself as a tool for thinking positively about ourselves. It is not about ourselves at all, although we are invited to believe its message. It is about Christ. It is about the actions of the triune God as he reaches out to sinners who can neither save themselves nor bow before him in submission apart from the working of his grace" (142).
"Men and women were made by God. Despite vaunting idealism on the one side, and gadgets and Porsches on the other, their hearts are always restless until they have found their est in him" (137).
Fourth, because of the brief but very helpful introduction to what it would mean for various categories of people to be converted (e.g. Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and materialists.
This book is well worth your time.
A very helpful concept was his point about insider and outsider conversion. An insider is someone who has biblical presuppositions vs. an outsider who has no such foundation or biblical worldview structure.
Here are several main reasons that this book is wroth your read:
First, because of the rich and biblical theology on conversion. Wells is very careful to show that all people are converted by the same gospel and all must pass from death to life. However, the approach to the true reception of the gospel is different for various people (here is where he speaks much of the differences between insiders and outsiders). The following quote illustrates this biblical faithfulness.
"There are multiple routes toward Christ, some slow and some fast, some higher in emotion, others higher in rational content, but all in the end making the same submission, receiving the same grace, and entering the same family of God. On the other hand, this diversity should not be misinterpreted. Diversity of approach is not a diversity of gospel. Different paths toward Christ are not different religious roads to him. Christ i not hidden in secularism, or in Hinduism, or in political action, even that in the interests of the best causes. There are not multiple ways to God. Christ remains the only way, even though persons and cultures differ" (Page 71).
Second, because of the biblical emphasis on true conversion as evidenced by lasting fruit. As Wells aptly puts, "the test of conversion is a life of convertedness" (page 148).
Third, because of the "paragraph zingers." By this I mean there are many quotes that are penetrating and worth reading again and again. The following are examples of these "paragraph zingers."
"the key to key to social alienation (we are not appreciated sufficiently by others) and personal alienation ( we sense ourselves to be adrift, to have no moorings, to have no clear focus, no solid core to our lives) is alienation from God. once we understand that we are alienated from God--that we have substituted ourselves for him, have created our own norms and values in place of his, have seen ourselves as the center of life instead of him-then we easily understand that these inner needs are consequences of our sinful behavior" (72).
"How much knowledge is necessary for conversion? The answer is different for every person and must be formed functionally. We need as much knowledge as will bring us to an awareness of ourselves as sinners, sufficient knowledge to understand how Christ will 'solve' the problem we are sensing, enough knowledge to see how the world will look from within Christ, and enough knowledge to know what is asked of us as we believe the gospel and what will be required of us after we believe it. Providing this knowledge not only establishes the basis for a relationship with Christ but it also prevents evangelism from trading on misapprehension or employing manipulative devices. The convert comes into faith responsibly and the evangelist can be confident that the gospel has not been offered under false pretenses" (77).
"Decisions undertaken in the absence of a sufficient knowledge of God, his truth, and his Christ are decisions that will likely be malformed and so will probably lack direction and hence staying power. Decisions that occur in either of these ways are decisions brought about by pressures that should be considered manipulative: the crowd or circle of friends who exert psychological pressure or the evangelist who does a 'hard sell' and is so charismatic in personality or in presentation that the convert is drawn to the point of decision irresistibly. This person, let it be noted, is also being drawn foolishly and, perhaps, unethically. Decisions are not what counts. What counts are that there are men and women who, knowing themselves to be rebels and alienated from God, have sought in his Christ forgiveness and acceptance and, having sought and trusted, have been renewed by the Spirit and are impelled on to a life of truthfulness and love" (79).
"In line with this conviction, evangelists frequently orchestrate intense pressure point at the close of each meeting of each crusade, seeking to 'draw in the net' and 'reap the harvest.' If, however, 'decision' and 'commitment' mean repentance and faith,and if faith and repentance can occur only as the convicting Spirit of God actually changes the person inwardly, and if the working of the Spirit is no ours to command there is some unreality and some misdirection, as well as some manipulation in making it appear as if coming forward for counseling, or responding with whatever other gesture is asked for, will eternally clinch, here and now, the issue of a person's conversion. Even if it is said from the platform that this is not necessarily so, the procedure itself seems to tell a different story" (95).
"Materialists are of two kinds. Some, like the Marxists, are philosophical; others, like most Westerners, are unthinking. Marxists are theoretical atheists whereas secular Westerners are practical atheists. For them, materialism is not a system of thought that has inclined them to exclude God from consideration but a whole web of relationships in life whose interests are centrally affluent and whose cognitive horizons make the pursuit of 'the good life' normative" (119).
"Sin is not primarily about breaking rules, although it results in that; it is not at bottom about self-centeredness, although it always is that. It is at bottom a refusal to let God be God over life, to give him the center, the focus, the glory that are his" (124).
"Can we add anything to all the books that have been written about him, all the institutions and companies that have made use of his name? There may not be much to add, but there is much that needs to be striped away! Christ is not an agitator. He offers no new, intense experiences. He does not sell anything. He is, and that is all--like a flower on the restaurant table in the midst of the smoke and the talk. This is not what everybody else is promising today. In the advertisements, in the porno papers, in the new spiritual movements the message is clear--we have exactly what you have been looking for! Here is the answer to all your questions! We'll straighten out the mystery of life for you! This simplification turns everyone into nothing more than a shallow consumer. Christ is not for consumption but for worship. The person who knows God as Another-the one who is the Outside, whom we meet not as one of our experiences but as other than our experiences--is the person who can begin to see other people as well. When we have broken through the unreality that enables us to think that what is real is only what goes on in the inner recesses of our selves, we are in a position to see that others also have reality, that they are other than ourselves, that as we worship God so we can now love them." (128).
"Christian faith is not primarily about inner contentment, though it may yield that. It is not about happiness, though it may produce that. It is not a short cut to health or to wealth but to suffering and, in many parts of the world, to serious deprivation. How, then could we in the West have recast the gospel in terms of contentment and affluence when Jesus said that those who followed him would have to take up, not the pleasurable pursuit of fulfilling themselves, but the cross by which they would be emptied of themselves? IT is hard to imagine how the gospel could have been more decisively stood on its head and emptied of its meaning than when it has been misconstrued in these ways" (141).
"We need to begin by observing, then, that the gospel is not first and foremost about ourselves. It is not a device for getting what we want or need. It is not a technique for self-improvement or self-accomplishment. It is not a means of tapping our own inner resources. It does not offer itself as a tool for thinking positively about ourselves. It is not about ourselves at all, although we are invited to believe its message. It is about Christ. It is about the actions of the triune God as he reaches out to sinners who can neither save themselves nor bow before him in submission apart from the working of his grace" (142).
"Men and women were made by God. Despite vaunting idealism on the one side, and gadgets and Porsches on the other, their hearts are always restless until they have found their est in him" (137).
Fourth, because of the brief but very helpful introduction to what it would mean for various categories of people to be converted (e.g. Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and materialists.
This book is well worth your time.
August 4, 2017
A thorough historical and biblical review of the doctrine of conversion. Surprisingly ecumenical in its recognition of the value of Protestant and Roman Catholic uses of the word as reflecting historic orthodoxy. Sharp, clear,and concise. A great resource for those interested in how to answer the three questions: Who are the Christians, how does one become one, and what does one need to know to be one?
September 7, 2020
A timeless classic, as relevant today as when it was written. The analysis of conversion in a materialist context alone is worth the read but there’s so much more on top of that. Already you can see Well’s penchant for thoughtful cultural analysis wedded to incisive theological insight.
February 13, 2016
One or two chapters are useful on how one might approach conversion as a process even for materialists. Mostly too general, and while the diversity of conversion types are helpful/important, the dogmatic assertion that everyone is either damned or saved is not my theology and so the practical element (and the stereotyped cultural summaries of the rest of the world) is unhelpful.
Want to read
July 24, 2012David Wells is an outstand author dealing with the doctrine of our fantastic salvation at the a key point from our human perspective: conversion.
June 23, 2022
This was a really interesting read and the last chapter was 5 stars.
The author summarizes various views of conversion throughout Church history (from radical conversion experiences to attributing conversion to the whole process of sanctification) and also examines what the Bible has to say about the topic. There is a sense in which a Christian is constantly turning (converting) to God. We must in every situation and every day pick up our cross and follow Him. If there is an area of our life that we are wandering from Him, we need to convert back. But, there is also a sense in which there is a point in a person's life where they go from being out of Christ to in Christ (conversion); regenerated from one genealogy of the fallen Adam to another genealogy of our risen Lord. This conversion, the Reformed term "regeneration," cannot always be traced back to a particular moment. Some have profound conversion experiences, while others have a more gradual conversion; a process of regeneration that takes place over time. The main takeaway is that there is no "one size fits all" formula when it comes to Christian conversion.
The author lists a few different categories for conversion that the Church has historically held and that many traditions still do today. Moral conversion such as when St. Augustine converted from his immoral ways after reading Romans 13:13-14, ecclesiastical conversion is when a person is baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and intellectual conversion occurs when someone comes to understand justification by faith for the first time. I personally have gone through all three of these conversions and can tell you the moment of each. I found that very interesting. I like how each of these conversions, when put together, touch on the whole life of a person converting to God piece by piece over time.
Wells also touches on topics such as what an "insider" vs. "outsider" conversion looks like. The difference of someone growing up in Israel or a Christian home vs a Buddhist or Materialist. He displays how laying a strong foundation with apologetics is actually really important for someone coming into the faith from an entirely different worldview. They think in completely different categories and everything about their mind needs to be rewired with the Word. That is much different than someone growing up in Israel with all of the categories of the Old Testament, Torah, and Yahweh, then being exhorted to convert to Jesus as John the Baptist paves the way for His ministry. These people have to get out of the thought processes that Gnosticism, Panentheism, or you name it, have engrained into them. That's a lot of work that needs to be done.
In the final chapter the author hammers home what real biblical conversion is. He plainly lays out that man is dead in sin, unable to contribute to his salvation in any way, and needs God to divinely intervene in his life in order to believe. The author attributes true Christian conversion to a miraculous work of the Lord that comes by hearing or reading the Word. It cannot be manipulated, coerced, forced, or willed. The Lord must do it for it to take place. I affirm this and found this chapter to be outstanding.
If you're interested in what the Bible has to say about converting to Christ, check this book out.
---------------------------
Follow!
https://www.instagram.com/laymansprog...
The author summarizes various views of conversion throughout Church history (from radical conversion experiences to attributing conversion to the whole process of sanctification) and also examines what the Bible has to say about the topic. There is a sense in which a Christian is constantly turning (converting) to God. We must in every situation and every day pick up our cross and follow Him. If there is an area of our life that we are wandering from Him, we need to convert back. But, there is also a sense in which there is a point in a person's life where they go from being out of Christ to in Christ (conversion); regenerated from one genealogy of the fallen Adam to another genealogy of our risen Lord. This conversion, the Reformed term "regeneration," cannot always be traced back to a particular moment. Some have profound conversion experiences, while others have a more gradual conversion; a process of regeneration that takes place over time. The main takeaway is that there is no "one size fits all" formula when it comes to Christian conversion.
The author lists a few different categories for conversion that the Church has historically held and that many traditions still do today. Moral conversion such as when St. Augustine converted from his immoral ways after reading Romans 13:13-14, ecclesiastical conversion is when a person is baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and intellectual conversion occurs when someone comes to understand justification by faith for the first time. I personally have gone through all three of these conversions and can tell you the moment of each. I found that very interesting. I like how each of these conversions, when put together, touch on the whole life of a person converting to God piece by piece over time.
Wells also touches on topics such as what an "insider" vs. "outsider" conversion looks like. The difference of someone growing up in Israel or a Christian home vs a Buddhist or Materialist. He displays how laying a strong foundation with apologetics is actually really important for someone coming into the faith from an entirely different worldview. They think in completely different categories and everything about their mind needs to be rewired with the Word. That is much different than someone growing up in Israel with all of the categories of the Old Testament, Torah, and Yahweh, then being exhorted to convert to Jesus as John the Baptist paves the way for His ministry. These people have to get out of the thought processes that Gnosticism, Panentheism, or you name it, have engrained into them. That's a lot of work that needs to be done.
In the final chapter the author hammers home what real biblical conversion is. He plainly lays out that man is dead in sin, unable to contribute to his salvation in any way, and needs God to divinely intervene in his life in order to believe. The author attributes true Christian conversion to a miraculous work of the Lord that comes by hearing or reading the Word. It cannot be manipulated, coerced, forced, or willed. The Lord must do it for it to take place. I affirm this and found this chapter to be outstanding.
If you're interested in what the Bible has to say about converting to Christ, check this book out.
---------------------------
Follow!
https://www.instagram.com/laymansprog...
March 10, 2022
This was a very flat book. Wells seems to have a knack for stating the obvious and then re-stating it over and over. The way he approaches the subject of conversion, he manages to make what should be a rich topic into something rather bland. I think part of the problem, is that Christian conversion is truly a moment in time, a quick simple event (it has to be, to work for the entire gambit of potential believers through the centuries, from illiterate peasants to well-read philosophers), and so trying to dissect it, Walls finds that he either has to talk about other things or maneuver in very tight quarters.
October 9, 2020
Great book on conversion that includes both the theological precision and cultural exegesis often associated with Wells.
September 25, 2022
Fantastic. Reading Wells is such a gift.
January 6, 2015
When is a person considered a christian? When someone converts! But what really is conversion? More importantly, what does the bible talks about conversion?
David Wells writes in this perceptive book, many helpful points on what conversion is. It was surprisingly to know that this book was originally published in 1989, and has now (rightfully) been republished again. In this day and age, conversion has often been termed as “the sinnner’s prayers” or “inviting Jesus into your heart”. Such terminology is not only unhelpful, but reflects a rather shallow understanding of conversion.
Wells shows the readers what conversion is first, he defines it as unique, necessary and supernatural. It is supernatural because only God can convert someone, it is unique because conversion denotes not just a mere change in behaviour, but in allegiances, it is necessary because there has been and will never be anyone who’s born a christian. Next, Wells shows from the bible says about conversion. I found the introduction and the first chapter the best part of the book and would certainly be well worth the money for these two sections.
Next, Wells moves on to talk about insiders and outsiders. In the first chapter, Wells shows how within the bible itself, two types of people are converted, those who are more familiar with the bible (Old Testament teaching), the insiders, and those who are not (outsiders). This then forms the basis of how conversion would look like in each of these two groups.
This two sections would take up most of the book. What is very helpful is that Wells provokes the reader to think about what conversion means in each of the groups. Far too often conversion is a blanket term for anyone who’s coming to be a disciple of Jesus. But conversion necessary means differently for people of different cultures or religion.
Well this will not be easy reading, this will no doubt be a fruitful reading. Wells raises important points for christians to think of. Diligent readers will find this book most helpful.
Ratings: 4.5 / 5
David Wells writes in this perceptive book, many helpful points on what conversion is. It was surprisingly to know that this book was originally published in 1989, and has now (rightfully) been republished again. In this day and age, conversion has often been termed as “the sinnner’s prayers” or “inviting Jesus into your heart”. Such terminology is not only unhelpful, but reflects a rather shallow understanding of conversion.
Wells shows the readers what conversion is first, he defines it as unique, necessary and supernatural. It is supernatural because only God can convert someone, it is unique because conversion denotes not just a mere change in behaviour, but in allegiances, it is necessary because there has been and will never be anyone who’s born a christian. Next, Wells shows from the bible says about conversion. I found the introduction and the first chapter the best part of the book and would certainly be well worth the money for these two sections.
Next, Wells moves on to talk about insiders and outsiders. In the first chapter, Wells shows how within the bible itself, two types of people are converted, those who are more familiar with the bible (Old Testament teaching), the insiders, and those who are not (outsiders). This then forms the basis of how conversion would look like in each of these two groups.
This two sections would take up most of the book. What is very helpful is that Wells provokes the reader to think about what conversion means in each of the groups. Far too often conversion is a blanket term for anyone who’s coming to be a disciple of Jesus. But conversion necessary means differently for people of different cultures or religion.
Well this will not be easy reading, this will no doubt be a fruitful reading. Wells raises important points for christians to think of. Diligent readers will find this book most helpful.
Ratings: 4.5 / 5
December 4, 2015
If you were to tell someone about the house you lived in, would you spend all your time talking about the moment you walked through the door? And yet much of modern evangelicalism speaks of conversion as the briefest moment in time, the moment when a person changes into a Christian from whatever they were before. But have Christians always thought about this change in this way? How does this change happen? What does it look like when it does? Is it the same for everyone regardless of their previous experience and knowledge?
With patient exegesis and explanation, David Wells lays bare the truncated Gospel presentation so often offered from modern American evangelical pulpits and suggests that while we may report great masses of people turning to Christ, they may not, in fact, have turned to the Christ of the Bible. His work relies upon Scriptural conversion accounts, as well as the Church's historical understanding of conversion, in both its healthy and unhealthy developments. He then explores the different religious and worldview positions from which people come to Christ and how conversion may vary from culture to culture, finally bringing his findings to bear upon the challenge facing every Christian who would share the Gospel with another person.
This isn't the smoothest book to read, but its message is worth considering for every pastor, missionary, evangelist, and Christian who would be well-served by considering their testimony and what it means to "come to Christ."
With patient exegesis and explanation, David Wells lays bare the truncated Gospel presentation so often offered from modern American evangelical pulpits and suggests that while we may report great masses of people turning to Christ, they may not, in fact, have turned to the Christ of the Bible. His work relies upon Scriptural conversion accounts, as well as the Church's historical understanding of conversion, in both its healthy and unhealthy developments. He then explores the different religious and worldview positions from which people come to Christ and how conversion may vary from culture to culture, finally bringing his findings to bear upon the challenge facing every Christian who would share the Gospel with another person.
This isn't the smoothest book to read, but its message is worth considering for every pastor, missionary, evangelist, and Christian who would be well-served by considering their testimony and what it means to "come to Christ."
May 7, 2013
I found this book difficult to read at times. It definitely reads like a text book. At times I felt as though I was reading an encyclopedia. Every once in a while I had to stop and say okay what’s your point? Then I turned to the back of the book and discovered that the author is the research professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. The majority of his reading may very well be encyclopedias.
I feel it’s only fair to mention. I’m just common folk at an average reading level surrounded by life’s distractions. So that probably had something to do with the difficulty I was experiencing.
Apart from that the book was very interesting. Who knew so much could be said about conversion. Most folks in the west experience what the author referred to as insider conversion. That would include those who have a general understanding of the Christian faith before conversion. Then there were those he referred to as outsiders. Such as Jews, Muslims and Hindus. Not only did the author explained what may take place for the outsider when they convert to Christianity. He also explained what may take place for those who convert into the Jewish or Hindu faith. Very interesting.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone taking a comparative religion class. This information would probably be helpful in their study.
I feel it’s only fair to mention. I’m just common folk at an average reading level surrounded by life’s distractions. So that probably had something to do with the difficulty I was experiencing.
Apart from that the book was very interesting. Who knew so much could be said about conversion. Most folks in the west experience what the author referred to as insider conversion. That would include those who have a general understanding of the Christian faith before conversion. Then there were those he referred to as outsiders. Such as Jews, Muslims and Hindus. Not only did the author explained what may take place for the outsider when they convert to Christianity. He also explained what may take place for those who convert into the Jewish or Hindu faith. Very interesting.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone taking a comparative religion class. This information would probably be helpful in their study.
April 3, 2014
Helpful biblical, theological, and cultural observations related to how one comes into a right relationship with God (conversion). Turning to God sheds light on barriers that various audiences (Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Materialistic) face upon hearing the claims of the Christian gospel. The notion of contextualization is certainly present, but it is tethered to the irreducible elements of the biblical message concerning Jesus Christ and the life that is found in him alone. Wells points to ways in which a truncated gospel (i.e. gospel rendered merely subjective, gospel emptied of challenge, a gospel that sells goods and services, etc.) leaves the idols of a given culture un-confronted. The result is that one might merely add some Christian stuff to his/her life without ever turning from beliefs/practices which are, in actuality, antithetical to New Testament faith. Wells clarifies not only what the irreducible gospel is, but the marks that are present in those who have genuinely responded to it. A much-needed book for a Church that desires to faithfully proclaim the saving gospel (Rom 1:16) in cross-cultural global contexts and in the fuzzy, pluralistic, increasingly-Eastern West.
April 26, 2012
This is a good and important read for Christians. We have a large number of professed Christians who other than going to church on a semi-regular basis have no real interest in God or the things of God. Much of this trouble can be traced back to our understanding and mis-understanding of conversion. David Wells does a very good job raising questions and porobing into this area.
David well states, "Conversion does not stand alone; it is the beginning of a lifelong journey of growing in Christ and being conformed to his image. Discipleship must follow on conversion a living and breathing follow birth. There is no Christian faith without regeneration and conversion... however, what we have all too often is an aberration--spiritual birth is not followed by an obvious spiritual life."
David well states, "Conversion does not stand alone; it is the beginning of a lifelong journey of growing in Christ and being conformed to his image. Discipleship must follow on conversion a living and breathing follow birth. There is no Christian faith without regeneration and conversion... however, what we have all too often is an aberration--spiritual birth is not followed by an obvious spiritual life."
December 4, 2016
Good read - fairly "heady" and wandering at times but overall, Wells offers great reminders and theologically sound evidence of what it means to be a true Christian "convert" and how and why the conversion process takes place (spiritually speaking). Additionally, he offers sound discussion about the differences between Christianity and the other major world religions - and why Christianity is the only TRUE way to Christ.
October 6, 2012
Slightly dated in his modern examples, but spot on with timeless truth. That is a book that should be read by every Christian as we seek to fulfill our mission to go and make disciples. What does it really mean to see someone come to faith?
March 15, 2013
Clear explanation of what it means to "convert" or turn to God. The author also does great at explaining the importance of having an accurate understanding of conversion, and proclaiming the biblical Gospel accurately.
January 29, 2014
A solid book on the subject of conversion that addresses not only the easy-believism of evangelicalism but also the challenges involved in the conversion of individuals with vastly different worldviews (i.e. Hinduism, Marxism, etc.).
April 9, 2014
Good reminder that sin is, fundamentally, rebellion against God and that salvation is found, outside of ourselves, in Jesus Christ alone. Theologically rich. Shows blind-spots in modern-evangelicalism and calls us back to faithful, Biblical view of conversion.
June 23, 2012
Very fine book.
November 6, 2013
I was going to give it three stars, not because I disagreed, but just because I wasn't grabbed by it. But the last two chapters were Wells at his best and made the book worth reading.
April 12, 2014
I liked it even though that sometimes I felt like I was in a seminary class. I learned a lot from this book which I will impart to the classes & students I teach at church.
February 12, 2015
A powerful and much-needed book.
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