Does a person have to "convert" to be a Christian? Or can one merely "follow" Jesus by studying Scripture? Does the Bible ever say that conversion is necessary? Or is it a development of the church? Turning to God explores these fundamental questions about regeneration and conversion, distinguishing Christianity from every other faith as one in which conversion is unique, supernatural, and necessary for salvation. In it you will find a clear, thoughtful, balanced discussion of the Christian conversion experience, including its history, controversy, and scriptural basis. Anyone who has marveled at the mystery of how and why we turn to God, along with those skeptical of religious conversion, will find themselves challenged and encouraged by this thorough treatment of one of the fundamentals of the Christian faith.
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About the Author
David F. Wells is Distinguished Research Professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He has eighteen books to his credit, including God the Evangelist: How the Holy Spirit Works to Bring Men and Women to Faith.
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By Yehoshua
Format:Paperback
Clear explanation of what it means to "convert" or turn to God. The author also does great at explaining the importance of having an accurate understanding of conversion, and proclaiming the biblical Gospel accurately.
By DrPhilS
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Wells addresses a much needed topic in Turning to God. Careful thinking characterizes this topical and theological study of conversion.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This 1989 book has been recently (2012) reissued with a new introduction by Dr. Wells. The focus is on the biblical doctrine of conversion, which Wells sees as supernatural and unique--the regenerative work of God, and not something that can be produced through self-turning. It is an act of divine creation, causing faith to appear, from which flow repentance and a love of God. Wells does not view conversion as a neat, "one-size-fits-all" formula, but a process in which information about God (the content of the Gospel) is presented to people from divergent backgrounds and applied by the Holy Spirit to their hearts in a saving way.
Wells provides examples of conversion in Scripture, a biblical theology of conversion, with careful attention to the Greek and Hebrew terms used. He show the difference between what he calls "insider and outsider" conversions, viz. from within a Christian setting/culture, and the contrasting unique hurdles individuals from various major world religions face in embracing teachings in opposition to their dogma and culture. He also devotes a chapter to what he calls "materialistic outsiders", explaining the secular position, which is largely the position of Europe and (to a lesser degree) North America, where people find meaning--not in God--but in self. He provides examples of differing perspectives from church history, particularly regarding whether the individual can contribute anything to his/her salvation. Wells disputes the view that certain types of people tend to convert to religious belief--social/psychological profiling--and the casual conversion or "easy-believism" promulgated by some evangelicals.
I think this is an outstanding, much-needed book for anyone in Christian work. In full disclosure, I am a minister in Dr. Well's denomination (the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference) and occasionally chat with him at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Wells provides examples of conversion in Scripture, a biblical theology of conversion, with careful attention to the Greek and Hebrew terms used. He show the difference between what he calls "insider and outsider" conversions, viz. from within a Christian setting/culture, and the contrasting unique hurdles individuals from various major world religions face in embracing teachings in opposition to their dogma and culture. He also devotes a chapter to what he calls "materialistic outsiders", explaining the secular position, which is largely the position of Europe and (to a lesser degree) North America, where people find meaning--not in God--but in self. He provides examples of differing perspectives from church history, particularly regarding whether the individual can contribute anything to his/her salvation. Wells disputes the view that certain types of people tend to convert to religious belief--social/psychological profiling--and the casual conversion or "easy-believism" promulgated by some evangelicals.
I think this is an outstanding, much-needed book for anyone in Christian work. In full disclosure, I am a minister in Dr. Well's denomination (the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference) and occasionally chat with him at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
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