How were you converted to Christianity?

[smaneck]

Those of you who converted from another religion, were any of you converted because a Christian 'exposed' the errors of your previous religion?

 

[Aidan K]

Those of you who converted from another religion, were any of you converted because a Christian 'exposed' the errors of your previous religion?

Is this discussion solely for formerChristians then?

 

[GracetotheHumble]

I converted to Lutheranism because my parents invited me to go to Church with them. I was a Satanist at the time. The Pastor was preaching on 1 John and he convinced me of Christ's love for me and the necessity to love others. He did not know I was a Satanist nor did my parents as I did not share that fact with others. If they would have known I'm sure they would have tried to expose the errors though.

 

[smaneck]

Is this discussion solely for formerChristians then?

Primarily. We can discuss conversion in general, but I have a specific purpose here.

 

[smaneck]

I converted to Lutheranism because my parents invited me to go to Church with them. I was a Satanist at the time. The Pastor was preaching on 1 John and he convinced me of Christ's love for me and the necessity to love others. He did not know I was a Satanist nor did my parents as I did not share that fact with others. If they would have known I'm sure they would have tried to expose the errors though.

I submit that this would not have been nearly as effective as persuading you of God's love.

 

[awitch]

I converted to Lutheranism because my parents invited me to go to Church with them. I was a Satanist at the time. The Pastor was preaching on 1 John and he convinced me of Christ's love for me and the necessity to love others. He did not know I was a Satanist nor did my parents as I did not share that fact with others. If they would have known I'm sure they would have tried to expose the errors though.

That must have been quite a sermon if you're conversion was like a flip of a switch.
What in particular made it so convincing?

 

[smaneck]

That must have been quite a sermon if you're conversion was like a flip of a switch.
What in particular made it so convincing?

1 John is a pretty awesome text, and its short.

 

[GracetotheHumble]

That must have been quite a sermon if you're conversion was like a flip of a switch.
What in particular made it so convincing?

Lutherans have a method in their sermons where they share both law and gospel. The law convinces you of your sin and the gospel convinces you of the remedy. It's proven to be quite effective almost to the point where I feel newly converted nearly every service.

 

[awitch]

Lutherans have a method in their sermons where they share both law and gospel. The law convinces you of your sin and the gospel convinces you of the remedy. It's proven to be quite effective almost to the point where I feel newly converted nearly every service.

What do you mean by 'method'?

 

[GracetotheHumble]

What do you mean by 'method'?

I mean that they are taught to preach both law and gospel in every sermon in their seminaries. The founder of our denomination CFW Walther actually has a book on it: http://www.cph.org/p-8987-law-and-gospel-how-to-read-and-apply-the-bible.aspx

 

[gord44]

What do you mean by 'method'?

It's common in many a sermon to convince you of your sin (the law) and then show you the cure (the gospel).

 

[Winken]

Religion is someone's idea structurally presented, reviewed by others, and built upon, all of that external, no input from the Spiritual.

I converted from religion to Christianity. I was led to do so by the Holy Spirit. It was a spectacular transformation. Have I faltered since then? Yes, much to my sorrow. Is He forgiving? Yes, much to my joy.

It grieves me to see all the error posted, debated, argued at CF. So many flawed denominational "insights." So much time wasted by so many exploring religious points of view.

My prayer is for a spectacular transformation at CF.

 

[seashale76]

I think I see where you're going with this. However, if you care to read it, my story is on my blog in my profile here (it's the only blog entry).

 

[smaneck]

I converted from religion to Christianity.

Oh, oh. Here we go again.

 

[smaneck]

I think I see where you're going with this. However, if you care to read it, my story is on my blog in my profile here (it's the only blog entry).

Nothing is linking Seashale.

And where I'm going with this is no secret. I'd like people to consider what works and what doesn't work.
I think you know what I think doesn't work.

 

[seashale76]

Nothing is linking Seashale.

And where I'm going with this is no secret. I'd like people to consider what works and what doesn't work.
I think you know what I think doesn't work.

I sure do know what doesn't work- and I agree with you on the constant threads you're talking about. Here's a link that should work, btw: http://www.christianforums.com/xfa-blog-entry/my-journey-to-orthodox-christianity.5055/

 

[smaneck]

I sure do know what doesn't work- and I agree with you on the constant threads you're talking about. Here's a link that should work, btw: http://www.christianforums.com/xfa-blog-entry/my-journey-to-orthodox-christianity.5055/

I went to an Orthodox Church last week for a funeral. The service struck me as very ancient and very foreign. But Christianity is ancient and Jesus wasn't born in Texas.

But I have to tell you a story. There was this guy I met on a Baha'i newsgroup. He had once belonged to a very weird offshoot of Baha'i that had become its own cult. When he became disillusioned with the false prophecies of its leader, he became an evangelical Christian who was vigorously trying to convert us. I challenged his theology in what was the first version of my 'atonement' essay. In the conversations which followed I urged him to read the Early Church Fathers. Months later he contacted me and thanked me profusely for this advice. Apparently I had converted him to Orthodox Christianity!

 

[seashale76]

I went to an Orthodox Church last week for a funeral. The service struck me as very ancient and very foreign. But Christianity is ancient and Jesus wasn't born in Texas.

It is very different from what most are used to, that's for sure. And regarding your friend, memory eternal.

But I have to tell you a story. There was this guy I met on a Baha'i newsgroup. He had once belonged to a very weird offshoot of Baha'i that had become its own cult. When he became disillusioned with the false prophecies of its leader, he became an evangelical Christian who was vigorously trying to convert us. I challenged his theology in what was the first version of my 'atonement' essay. In the conversations which followed I urged him to read the Early Church Fathers. Months later he contacted me and thanked me profusely for this advice. Apparently I had converted him to Orthodox Christianity!

That's interesting- thanks for sharing it.

I think when it comes to religion, even if you don't agree with what someone believes, it's generally better to let others research and come to their own conclusions. While there's a place for apologetics and preaching- there are definite lines that shouldn't be crossed. When my husband and I decided to convert we approached our priest and he told us that he had been waiting for us to approach him, as it just isn't done the other way around (and then we had to go through classes on the faith after that and wait to be chrismated).

 

[LoAmmi]

I think when it comes to religion, even if you don't agree with what someone believes, it's generally better to let others research and come to their own conclusions. While there's a place for apologetics and preaching- there are definite lines that shouldn't be crossed. When my husband and I decided to convert we approached our priest and he told us that he had been waiting for us to approach him, as it just isn't done the other way around (and then we had to go through classes on the faith after that and wait to be chrismated).

That makes sense to me, but people have problems when someone else does the research and comes to another conclusion. A lot of us tend to think that what we believe is so obvious that even a child should be able to see it without realizing that other people have other thought processes and their conclusion is just as valid as ours even if at least one of ours is going to be factually wrong.

 

[seekingsolace]

Those of you who converted from another religion, were any of you converted because a Christian 'exposed' the errors of your previous religion?

I understand what you are alluding to. And I do to an extent agree.

The means many choose to 'expose' isn't always the most charitable, or effective. Christians should draw the line between religious zeal and one-upmanship.

I expect many have converted, but more so from erudite articles and gentle instruction, than (on occasion) snipes to ridicule. That being said, a summary of peculiar and contradictory beliefs does work. It is after all a favourite introductory tool of most, urging the audience to investigate further.