Convert: to cause to adopt a different religion, political doctrine, opinion, etc.: to convert the heathen.
...and typically thought of as a pretty bad thing. I read a blog article about a Christian talking about their faith and the negative response that followed. Not long ago my pastor gave a sermon in which he talked about whether or not it was ok to convert people in a post-modern era that shunned absolute truths. The point he kept coming back to was that everyone tries to convert others to something. I wondered if this was true and I did a quick you.tube search...here's what I found:
These examples are subtle so watch closely:
...and typically thought of as a pretty bad thing. I read a blog article about a Christian talking about their faith and the negative response that followed. Not long ago my pastor gave a sermon in which he talked about whether or not it was ok to convert people in a post-modern era that shunned absolute truths. The point he kept coming back to was that everyone tries to convert others to something. I wondered if this was true and I did a quick you.tube search...here's what I found:
These examples are subtle so watch closely:
These are obviously extreme examples of people trying to persuade you, but aren't we faced with conversion all the time? I've got three people trying to convince me to vote for them for president...I've got Pepsi trying to win me over from Coke...should I shop local or buy organic?
Everyone has an opinion...how do Christians convert without offering a sales pitch? Is it wrong for Christians to convert? Why does Left Behind (a movie that I didn't enjoy) catch flak for trying to convert people by people who salute Al Gore for his attempts?
I don't have answers just questions...discuss...
2 comments:
saw your comment on my post, thank you. your blog is really interesting.
i have a difficult time with conversion. in matthew 28 we are given specific instructions to spread the gospel and make disciples of the nations - yet i don't think that means convert the nations. yes, i want people to be saved and to know the God i know, but how to go about that with someone who has a firm belief in islam, or buddhism, or sheikhism, or whatEVER, i'm not sure. i think it's ok to attempt, just as long as your motives are in check. you can't go out for the numbers. you have to sincerely be interested and concerned for the people and their hearts and their souls. that's what i believe, anyway.
I do like the quote that something to the effect of spread God's love and if absolutely needed use words.
I think it's tough because I want to share something I love, but I think about how people approach me with stuff they love and sometimes it's really annoying.
I once had a Christian try to give me the four spiritual law pamphlet even after I told him I was a follower of Jesus.
I think relationships and listening and living the life you speak of are important.
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