Beginning Well: Christian Conversion & Authentic Transformation

by Gordon T. Smith

"Saints are made by good conversions." In this challenging and provocative book, Gordon T. Smith contends that a chief cause of spiritual immaturity in the evangelical church is an inadequate theology of conversion. Conversion, he says, involves more than a release from the consequences of sin--the goal is spiritual transformation. But there is little transformation without a complete and authentic conversion. The key is beginning well. In this age of false starts and stunted growth, maturing Christians need help reflecting on and interpreting their own religious experience. Christian leaders need to rethink the way that conversions happen. Beginning Well is a catalyst toward this end. Surveying Scripture, spiritual autobiographies and a broad range of theologies of conversion (Protestant and Catholic, Reformed and Wesleyan), the author seeks to foster in the Christian community a dynamic language of conversion that leads to spiritual transformation and mature Christian living. In the process he moves us from a short-sighted "minimalist" view to one that recognizes seven elements necessary for good conversions. This book--a stirring call to rethink the relationship between conversion and transformation--is a must read for pastors, evangelists, spiritual directors, seminary professors and others who are concerned about the nurture and development of Christian converts, and the nature of authentic religious experience.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Nonfiction, Discipleship, Christianity

239 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2001

About the author

Gordon T. Smith is the president of Ambrose University and Seminary in Calgary, Alberta, where he also serves as professor of systematic and spiritual theology. He is an ordained minister with the Christian and Missionary Alliance and a teaching fellow at Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia. He is the author of many books, including Courage and Calling, Called to Be Saints, Spiritual Direction, and Consider Your Calling.

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the most complete presentation I've seen in a book on this topic. and it happens to be the topic of my doctoral research.
Found quite late in my process of writing, it resonated with a lot of what I had personally discovered.

Based on a popular class that he taught at Regent, Smith outlines seven essential elements of a Christian conversion: 4 internal actions intellectual, penitential, affective, volitional) and three "external elements that support and enable" (sacramental, charismatic, communal).

Though it could certainly be said that the thief on the cross beside Jesus was truly saved, Smith argues that, unless a person's story is cut short, they should experience all of the above elements. at least, in order to have a full conversion that results in the transformation God intends for us.

Thus, Smith calls for conversions to be taken more seriously - not as a punctiliar event to be forced and contrived, but rather a "good beginning" that is seen as a holistic process involving the church as a means and addressing internal issues of the individual.

While including a few historical spiritual biographies, Smith also calls his readers to reflect on their own. The more perspective we have on conversion, the more we are able to encourage and enable it in others in a patient and understanding way.

If I could add anything to the book, it'd be more references to source material - whether that be surveys of new converts, interviews with them, or authors from the social sciences. This book is most helpful at providing a paradigm for further reflection. It might be interesting to interface this with other popular paradigms and with other personal stories.

[Joshua Ortiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this book reminded me that conversion is not a cookie-cutter process. While there are similar ends the Spirit brings us to (i.e. confessing Christ as Lord, living for Christ), the human means and timing of things will likely not look the same for any two people. So, the book helped me better appreciate and marvel at the amazing and often mysterious ways in which God works in our lives, even when we're not totally cognizant of what He is doing. Nevertheless, I didn't resonate with some of the author's theology (i.e. baptism in the Spirit) or handling of the Biblical text (i.e. some conversion passages in Acts being more normative, than descriptive). All said, the book is a thoughtful exploration on conversion from an Evangelical perspective and may help the pastor or the lay person more closely examine their assumptions and/or practices surrounding it.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book. This book is a healthy corrective for the evangelical church that has been obsessed with decisions to follow Jesus. While decisions are important, Smith highlights the importance of the journey. He suggests there are 7 strands of conversion. Each strand is important for a full conversion. In creating the strands, he is suggesting language that could be used to describe one's own spiritual journey. Knowing your spiritual journey can help you understand where you have been and where you are going.

[Bolt Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of good information and insights in support of a much-needed premise. I read it twice and probably will read it again. It seems the author pulled some of his punches, though, afraid to rock the boat too much.

[Justin Steckbauer · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was OK, had some good ideas in it, but didn't really help me grow too much. It was decent though.

[Margo D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

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[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thus far the best of the Gordon Smith books I've read (I have read a few and have more on my list). Smith does a good job of challenging reductionist, and minimalistic accounts of primal religious conversion and tries his best to give an account of religious conversion which rings true to our experience, as well as the Biblical text.

There is much worth chewing on in this book, and certainly more than I want to name in this review. But one thing that I found particularly instructive is his seven elements of Christian conversion. They are: Intellectual, Penitential, Affective, Volitional, Sacramental, Charismatic, and Communal. If this seems like a lot, it is mitigated by the fact that Smith argues that generally people undergo a process of conversion rather than a punticular event (in the case of John Wesely, conversion lasted 13 years).

There are more great things in this book. I plan to read his newer volume on conversion, Transforming Conversion. As I understand he has reworked some of the material from this book, but that these books are not simply redundant. As of yet I can't tell you which one I think you should read.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best part is the chapter about the 7 elements of Christian conversion (CH 6). It offers a helpful aid for guiding and helping someone who is new to the faith in Christ to have a good beginning to their journey. The rest of the book takes a lot of time to say not much.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A corrective for evangelicals view of conversion to Christ. He emphasizes the individual's experience of it as a process and that we are continually changed by the gospel. Great stuff.

[Jeff Noble]

Beginning Well: Christian Conversion & Authentic Transformation by Gordon T. Smith (?)

[Shaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read that gives a well-researched historical and biblical view on conversion and transformation.