Beginning Well: Christian Conversion & Authentic Transformation [Paperback]

Gordon T. Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 17, 2001

"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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 239 pages
• Publisher: IVP Books (August 17, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830822976
• ISBN-13: 978-0830822973
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #170,325 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most Important Christian Book in 2001, April 10, 2003

By 

Ken Archer (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beginning Well: Christian Conversion & Authentic Transformation (Paperback)

So many steps that the Church needs to take are explained concisely and forcefully in this wonderful book. There are 2 main arguments made in this book:

(1) Conversion is a process of working out one's conversion, not necessarily a single, conscious moment of conversion. Paul exhorts us to "work out our conversion in fear and trembling". Smith writes that the "punctilear moment" model of conversion does not jive with the honest experience of most Christians, for whom it is more like flying over the Rockies; there is a moment when the plane has crossed the Rockies, but the passenger doesn't know exactly when it is. Rather, conversion is an often lengthy process of transformation and of understanding the work that God has done in one's life. Testimonies, Smith writes, are as a result hugely important, because they provide they structure within which Christians learn to work out their own conversions.

(2) One cannot work out one's conversion within a single denominational tradition. This is fascinating. Smith, far from being a "non-denominationalist" or a superficial ecumenicalist, writes that the major denominational traditions each emphasize something critical to a complete conversion - e.g. faithful reliance on God's sovereignty, taking responsibility for one's spirituality, and being filled with the Holy Spirit - such that Gordon Smith's brand of ecumenicalism relies heavily on appreciation of various denominational traditions.

For those, like me, who have moved between denominational traditions (from Southern Baptist to United Methodist to Willow Creek to Assemblies of God in my case), and for those who have lived within a single denominational tradition, this book is a wonderful midwife to working out one's conversion.

5.0 out of 5 stars A topic well worth reading about, September 25, 2011

By 

R. Reynolds (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beginning Well: Christian Conversion & Authentic Transformation (Paperback)

This is one of those books that has slipped under the radar (I had never heard about it until a few months ago), but it really should be widely read. We do well to think about conversion and the impact the type of conversion can have on transforming the individual. Many of us have seen individuals who go thru a Christian conversion experience only to see little evidence over a number of years that they want to follow Christ. This book helps the reader to think more deeply about what is a Christian conversation and the ways in which we discuss conversion.

Some of the great questions this book examines are:

- What is conversion?

- What words should we use in conversion?

- What are the elements of conversion?

- What are the models of conversion in the New Testament?

- How can we focus on conversion that leads to transformation?

All of these topics should be discussed and talked about more frequently and it is great that Gordon Smith has written a clear book on the subject. Highly recommended!

5.0 out of 5 stars Well-argued, practical, wise, October 2, 2010

By 

B. Knox (Denver, Colorado) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beginning Well: Christian Conversion & Authentic Transformation (Paperback)

Smith makes an excellent case for a more nuanced, well-rounded understanding of conversion than the traditional punctiliar view. Bringing together biblical and theological analysis, plus extensive experience in ministry, he argues that conversion can take a long time. There is rarely a magical one-time decision that changes everything in a person's life from being totally oriented toward sin to being fully devoted to Christ. Embracing Smith's view can have profound implications on our ministry philosophy, particularly in blurring the traditional categories of evangelism and discipleship.

I disagree with some of his denominational biases (CMA), and I am skeptical of his assertion that a rebellious period is almost necessary for adolescents raised in Christian homes. However, this assertion where he pushes me to reconsider my assumptions make his work all the more valuable. Highly recommended. Don't just read these reviews; read the book.