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Finding God: A Treasury of Conversion Stories
The search for God is a staple of human history. Finding God records sixty first-person accounts of Christians who found God in different ways and the impact this discovery made on their lives and on the world in which they lived.
Ranging from the first century to the present, Finding God is a fascinating digest of conversion stories from a wide variety of people -- from the apostle Paul to the rock musician Bono. These narratives together demonstrate the remarkable diversity of spiritual journeys and the dramatic changes that can result from encounters with God. Both instructive and inspirational, Finding God will expand horizons and deepen the faith of those who seek insight into the age-old spiritual quest to find God.
Ranging from the first century to the present, Finding God is a fascinating digest of conversion stories from a wide variety of people -- from the apostle Paul to the rock musician Bono. These narratives together demonstrate the remarkable diversity of spiritual journeys and the dramatic changes that can result from encounters with God. Both instructive and inspirational, Finding God will expand horizons and deepen the faith of those who seek insight into the age-old spiritual quest to find God.
419 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 13, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
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December 4, 2020Very interesting. For some, it was how they evolved into their particular belief, not finding God the first time. But still fun.
October 1, 2012
I have been dithering about the best way to review this book (hoping to sound at least mildly intelligent.) It's difficult. Mulder has gathered 60 stories of conversion (only to Christianity, although it would have been fascinating to me to read stories of conversion to other faiths as well), and each begins with a brief, simply written biography of the writer. This is quite helpful, because although some of the writers are extremely well known (St. Paul, C. S. Lewis, Sojourner Truth), others are rather obscure - or at least, obscure to me. Did you ever hear of Festo Kivengere? Yeah, me neither - but he tells a small anecdote that is delightful and moving.
It is intriguing to read these stories in the subjects' own words, and fascinating to see the similarities and differences in their personal encounter with the divine. Early writers such as George Fox or Teresa of Avila may have an archaic style of writing, but so often their experience is strangely similar to that of modern writers. This would be a wonderful book for a religious group to read over a period of a year or so - a lot of interesting material, a lot to learn about these religious figures, and some excellent compare-and-contrast material.
It is intriguing to read these stories in the subjects' own words, and fascinating to see the similarities and differences in their personal encounter with the divine. Early writers such as George Fox or Teresa of Avila may have an archaic style of writing, but so often their experience is strangely similar to that of modern writers. This would be a wonderful book for a religious group to read over a period of a year or so - a lot of interesting material, a lot to learn about these religious figures, and some excellent compare-and-contrast material.
January 21, 2013
A collection of stories of conversion to various forms of Christianity throughout time.
The stories are heavily weighted toward the modern era; one is quickly within the past 250 years, and most come from the past century or so. Most of the stories are told in the first person; others are recollections based upon conversations. While there are some notable conversions to Catholicism and some historic Protestant denominations, most of the stories come from the Evangelical world.
The collection is notably multicultural, featuring conversion stories of people from India, Korea, among the Native Americans, and other people you might otherwise not know. Each story is prefaced by a short introduction describing the person, their place in "Christian history," and whatever background information is necessary to make sense of the conversion story.
I found value in considering the work as a devotional, reading one conversion story a day. Most of the stories are no more than 5 pages. The work is interesting and valuable to see the range of people who convert and the reasons for their conversions.
*--book received as part of an early review program
The stories are heavily weighted toward the modern era; one is quickly within the past 250 years, and most come from the past century or so. Most of the stories are told in the first person; others are recollections based upon conversations. While there are some notable conversions to Catholicism and some historic Protestant denominations, most of the stories come from the Evangelical world.
The collection is notably multicultural, featuring conversion stories of people from India, Korea, among the Native Americans, and other people you might otherwise not know. Each story is prefaced by a short introduction describing the person, their place in "Christian history," and whatever background information is necessary to make sense of the conversion story.
I found value in considering the work as a devotional, reading one conversion story a day. Most of the stories are no more than 5 pages. The work is interesting and valuable to see the range of people who convert and the reasons for their conversions.
*--book received as part of an early review program
April 9, 2014
This was an incredibly enjoyable read that is notable for its deep spirituality and breath. The book contains a series of short summaries of various individuals that is accompanied with their personal testimony of how God entered and changed their lives.
What makes the book so compelling is that it spans hundreds of years, various Christian traditions and multiple nationalities. I was inspired to hear first-hand how certain notable individuals encountered Christ and were transformed.
I highly recommend this book for spiritual seekers and followers of Christ who want to enrich their own understanding of discipleship.
What makes the book so compelling is that it spans hundreds of years, various Christian traditions and multiple nationalities. I was inspired to hear first-hand how certain notable individuals encountered Christ and were transformed.
I highly recommend this book for spiritual seekers and followers of Christ who want to enrich their own understanding of discipleship.
January 11, 2013
An expansion of an earlier book edited and introduced by Hugh Kerr, John Mulder brings us a collection of conversion stories that run from St. Paul to Bono, from Augustine to Fannie Crosby. These stories remind us that conversion comes in many different forms, and that conversion is often a realization of a deeper relationship with God. For preachers this could be a good source of inspiration -- but the same is true for any Christian.
December 2, 2013
Good read. Always like getting to read /know about others path to faith.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews