DYNAMICS
OF RELIGIOUS CONVERSION, The
DYNAMICS
OF RELIGIOUS CONVERSION, The
by V. Bailey Gillespie
Summary: As its title indicates, the theme of this book is to uncover what actually happens psychologically during the actual process whereby a person undergoes conversion. Specifically, the book deals with how and why persons change during religious conversion and in the process come to a new identity as a self. Identity and transformation, then, are the two pillars of this book.
Spirit of the Book: The spirit of the book that religious conversion is far deeper and more personalistic than just a switch of confessional allegiances. This book contends that religious conversion is a profound transformational change in the whole personality and orientation of an individual, a change which leads to person to a basically new identity as a human being.
What this Book Gives You: This book gives you (1) an understanding of the interior process of religious conversion as viewed not only by psychology but also from the fields of Biblical research, systematic and pastoral theology, the social sciences, and literary studies; (2) a large amount of material on how to effectively facilitate religious conversion through pastoral ministry, pastoral counseling, and religious education.
Distinctiveness: Why this Book is Special: This is the only book on religious conversion which centers around the quest for personal identity and subsequent religious transformation. In so doing, it demonstrates that personal identity is the path through which authentic and personal and profound religious conversion travels. This volume distinctively illuminates how and why personal identity is the existential context through which faith is born and develops.
Major Features: Some of the major features include (1) a deep, from-the-inside look at conversion dynamics; (2) a careful meshing of Biblical and theological understanding of religious conversion built around a psychological axis; (3) loads of suggestions on how to facilitate the process of religious conversion.
Chapters
1. Conversion: A Way to
Change
2. Religious Conversion: The Meaning of Change
3. Wholeness: The
Constructs of Change
4. Life: The Context of Change
5. Growth: Factors in
Change
6. Identity: The Way to Become
7. Identity: A Context for
Faith
8. Conversion: Identity As Fostered by Religious Instruction
9.
Religious Conversion: Identity As Fostered by Pastoral Counseling
10.
Religious Conversion and Identity; Implications for Nurture and
Ministry
Praise for this Book: This book has drawn a great deal of positive comment from a wide variety of sources.
A review in RELIGIOUS STUDIES REVIEW states that "this book stands in sharp contrast to the singularly parochial approaches to conversion found in many books on this topic."
A review in PASTORAL PSYCHOLOGY calls this book "solid and substantial. It is of keen interest to persons engaged in pastoral counseling."
A review in CULTIC STUDIES JOURNAL: PSYCHOLOGICAL MANIPULATION AND SOCIETY says: "This is a positive and powerful book because it places religious conversion on a firm foundation of personality development, identity, and personal growth. It contains strong references from classic and current religious leaders as well as psychological theorists and researchers. It has fine scope and depth, a readable style, and generous footnoting and referencing. Highly recommended."
A review in MISSIOLOGY states: 'This book concentrates more on conversion as a lifelong process rather than a sudden dramatic conversion. It should be read by Christian educators, counselors, youth workers, pastors, and persons who are responsible for curriculum development and/or programs in the local church."
Price and
Such:
261 pages List Price:
$22.95 ISBN 0-89135-084-5