Turning to Jesus: The Sociology of Conversion in the Gospels

by Scot McKnight

Scot McKnight's careful study of Jesus' relationship with his followers reveals that elements of all three contemporary models of conversion--the personal decision, the sociological, and the liturgical--are present within the Gospel accounts. But because the Gospel narratives themselves are insufficiently explicit to support only one contemporary model of conversion, McKnight suggests that an enhanced reading of the Gospels should engender an appreciation for each of the models in the church today.

Genres: Theology, Evangelism, Church, Christianity

224 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2002

About the author

Scot McKnight is a recognized authority on the New Testament, early Christianity, and the historical Jesus. McKnight, author or editor of forty books, is the Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary in Lombard, IL. Dr. McKnight has given interviews on radios across the nation, has appeared on television, and is regularly speaks at local churches, conferences, colleges, and seminaries in the USA and abroad. Dr. McKnight obtained his Ph.D. at the University of Nottingham (1986).

Reviews

[Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

McKnight's sociological model of conversion helps explain a lot of things about the variation in conversions and their long-term impacts on the individual. However, I think McKnights insistence to recognize people's conversion experiences regardless of method/manner to avoid questioning their “integrity, individuality, or identity” (p. 182) is a failure to recognize core aspects of conversion that are common throughout the New Testament.

[Casey Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Scott McKnight's stuff, but this was a tough go. McKnight holds up sociology of religious conversion to New Testament accounts of conversion for comparison/contrast. Here are the highlights:

1) Conversion is an individual process.
2) Conversion involves formation of the self aligned with central claims of a religion.
3) There is no uniform pattern of conversion.
4) Jesus knows conversion is an individual process, which is why he guides people in the Gospels in sick diverse ways.
5) There are three models of Christian conversion: socialization, liturgical process and personal decision.

Point one is the main point. Even though he treats the three models evenhandedly, McKnight really wants to politely challenge the personal decision model. It's quite dominant in the U.S. and prone to misuse.

The book was a tough go because it seemed poorly organized. One minute we're swimming in sociological theory, the next personal biographies. It was whiplash.

Read the opening chapter and conclusion. If you're interested in sociology and conversion, read the Rambo book McKnight is fond of.

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been interested in the subject of conversion since reading "The Jesus Creed" by Scot McNight. It does seem like he is hitting on this subject more frequently than other authors.

This book was good, but not great. I was fairly lost in a lot of the sociology. It is possible because I am not a sociologist. But then again, I do not know if McNight is either.

His theological work is better, but not great. I would have liked to see him dive even deeper. The end of the book deals with more of the theology of conversion.

All in all, I appreciate the effort that he has made to question the "Pauline" approach to conversion as the "only" way. McNight even writes that the "Peter" concept of conversion appears to be more prevelant in Scripture. I would agree that it is more prevalent int he church and needs to be endorsed with as much praise as the dramatic Pauline counterparts.

I will continue to do research on this subject, and I hope that others begin to work on it as well.