Conversion. Like so many words what is meant by the term. ‘Conversion of sinners’ was language used in the classic revival periods of the Great Awakening and the like. Conversion from one religion to another is another use. I was reading the introduction to a book the other day from a former pastor who was describing his journey and how he became a Christian when in his teens then later met someone who introduced him to Jesus when he was in his thirties. Certainly not a new ‘concept’ for me and I think particularly for those of us who grow up within a broadly speaking Christendom context often a necessary move forward!
The sobering part of the writer’s story is of being a convinced Christian and then discovering Jesus. Perhaps he was overstating it to make a point but the very real possibility of having a ‘Jesus-less Christianity’ is something to be taken note of. At one level we all have a ‘god’ who is less then the God that Jesus reveals – true at the personal level; but beyond the personal level I have of late been maintaining that there are expressions of three Abrahamic faiths – Judaism, Christianity and Islam – that ultimately are indistinguishable from each other and feed off each other to maintain their strengths.
The challenge for us who go by the label of ‘Christian’ is whether Jesus fits into our Christian faith / system or whether Jesus defines our Christian faith. Hence it does not matter how long we have been on the road continual introductions to Jesus are essential for us.
Jesus re-orientates everything and at the core is the only lens through which God can be seen. And that sight never comes in one sitting but is life-long. ‘Conversion’ is here to stay and has to be.
Given that I only see broad brush strokes regarding (the wrongly-termed) end-times and no details in Scripture I dream of a Christian faith that is stripped right back so that Jesus becomes again the centre. Not doctrine, not even sacraments, but Jesus. What other ‘conversions’ might follow?
The obvious one of our view of God, but I am sure other aspects would follow. Views give way to experience and the old adage that what God does in us is what is done through us (‘what I have I give to you’) would yield an expression of the charismatic that was not focused on proving God but on holding space for people to find God. And I think the big element that would result would be a ‘conversion to the world’. Humanity… no true theology can begin with God and work its way through the various dogmas until it reaches ‘the doctrine of humanity’. Ironically all theology has to begin with the doctrine of humanity, or maybe better entitled the doctrine of The Human. There we see God and we see our destiny also (try to put the doctrine of predestination into the mix at this stage – now it reads somewhat differently!).
Perfection is not related to squeeky-cleanness but to our response to those we walk among. And if we draw back from those around us we will never be ‘squeeky clean’ regardless of what we seek to do.
Jesus, I wrote above, re-orientates everything and thus in equal measure he disorientates everything.
I came to faith at 16 (‘conversion’?) but I am still on the path of being introduced to Jesus. Hopefully daily, but I am aware that I too often trundle along somewhat satisfied until I hit the jolt of ‘but this is not compatible with Jesus’.
Having had no religious or church background, at the age of 20 I was introduced to a Father in Heaven who seemed to know me and my life and, crucially, offered forgiveness. From that day, my life took a different trajectory.
A few weeks later, I encountered the person of the Holy Spirit, who entered my life and propelled me into an entirely new orbit.
Jesus played only a minor role in those early experiences – or at least that was my understanding at the time.
It was ten years later, aged 30 and in a time of difficulty, Jesus began to become real to me: grounded, tangible, and relating to me in an embodied way. I was experiencing (understanding) Heaven on earth probably for the first time.
Over the past forty years, I have explored a rich and evolving relationship with this Divine Community. I cannot separate Father, Son, and Spirit; yet at different times each has come into sharper focus. In recent years, I have increasingly come to see Jesus as central to my understanding of what it means to be human and as the plumbline for my life.
Your phrase, “Jesus re-orientates everything, and thus, in equal measure, he disorientates everything,” expresses this so well. Thank you for your thoughts, Martin.
I am still asking questions, searching and seeking – from a place of deep confidence and belonging that began when I was first introduced to my Father in Heaven some 50 years ago. Funny that!