Turning to Jesus: Sociology of Conversion in the Gospels

by Scot McKnight

Overview

Scot McKnight's careful study of Jesus' relationship with his followers reveals that elements of all three contemporary models of conversion—the personal decision, the sociological, and the liturgical—are present within the Gospel accounts. But because the Gospel narratives themselves are insufficiently explicit to support only one contemporary model of conversion, McKnight suggests that an enhanced reading of the Gospels should engender an appreciation for each of the models in the church today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780664225148
Publisher:	Westminster John Knox Press
Publication date:	01/01/2002
Edition description:	1ST
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.48(d)

About the Author

Scot McKnight is Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at North Park University in Chicago, Illinois.

Editorial Reviews

Although everyone comes to Christian faith in different ways, says religion professor Scot McKnight in Turning to Jesus: The Sociology of Conversion in the Gospels, conversion stories don't typically reflect that diversity. In fact, each Christian group "shuffles all oddities to the side and sanctifies only a certain ordered experience." Drawing on the personal stories of 19 men and women who embraced the Christian faith across a wide variety of traditions (mainline Protestant, Catholic and evangelical), McKnight pleads for "each of us to pause long enough to hear the stories of all Christians and not just those who frame their stories as do we." This is a well-reasoned, persuasive call to recognize "diversity" in a rather unexpected way. (Feb.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

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