Transforming Conversion: Rethinking the Language and Contours of Christian Initiation

"Seminary students, missionaries, preachers, and other church leaders involved in the wider conversation of missional church and church renewal would benefit greatly from reading this book."--K. Rex Butts, Restoration Quarterly
This volume offers much-needed contemporary theological reflection on the phenomenon of conversion and transformation. Gordon Smith provides a robust evaluation that covers the broad range of thinking about conversion across Christian traditions and addresses global contexts. Smith contends that both in the church and in discussions about contemporary mission, the language of conversion inherited from revivalism is inadequate in helping to navigate the questions that shape how we do church, how we approach faith formation, how evangelism is integrated into congregational life, and how we witness to the faith in non-Christian environments. We must rethink the nature of the church in light of how people actually come to faith in Christ. After drawing on ancient and pre-revivalist wisdom about conversion, Smith delineates the contours of conversion and Christian initiation for today's church. He concludes with a discussion of the art of spiritual autobiography and what it means to be a congregation.
Transforming Conversion will be useful in evangelism, spirituality, missions, ecclesiology, soteriology, and practical ministry courses. Pastors, church leaders, and thoughtful lay readers will also appreciate this book.
Contents
Introduction
1. The Language of Conversion: Revivalism and the Evangelical Experience
2. Conversion and the Redemptive Purposes of God
3. Chapters in the History of an Idea: Part 1
4. Chapters in the History of an Idea: Part 2
5. Conversion and Spiritual Maturity: Avoiding the Worst Tragedy in Life
6. The Contours of a Christian Conversion
7. The Penitential Dimension of Conversion
8. The Sacramental Dimension of Conversion
9. Spiritual Autobiography and Conversion Narrative
10. What Then Does It Mean to Be a Congregation?
Index