Spiritual Transformation versus Conversion
“Seeing” requires spiritual transformation. Such transformation requires a radical reordering of values, priorities, interactions, perceptions, etc. Why does spiritual transformation seem to require this massive shakeup, this upheaval of that which has become comfortable (e.g., the matrix) to what can be an alarming yet necessary truth (e.g., the desert of the real). Too often, conservative Christians advocate “conversion” producing a binary switch for individuals; the switch allegedly allows the sinful to be “saved” with a simple verbal confession of faith. Using this model, the outcome or goal for these Christians is to generate a long listing of conversions. This model assumes a naive realistic view that seems too simplistic.
What is real?
In her book Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana, Anne Rice uses the literary technique of first person narrative to denote Jesus’ observation of the complexity and mystery of the human soul. Naturally, there is no historical documentation — especially documentation written by Jesus himself — that verifies Rice’s proposals, beliefs or assumptions. Yet, one of the most compelling view ascribed to Jesus by Rice is the view of the human soul. Jesus realizes the enormity of his role regarding judgment.
Oh, Lord, God, what is judgment and how can it be, if I cannot bear to be with all of them for every ugly word, every harsh and desperate cry, for every gesture examined, for every deed explored to its roots? And I saw the deeds, the deeds of my own life, the smallest, most trivial things, I saw them suddenly in their seed and sprout and with their groping branches; I saw them growing, intertwining with other deeds, and those deeds come to form a thicket and a woodland and a great roving wilderness that dwarfed the world as we hold it on a map, the world as we hold it in our minds. Dear God, next to this, this endless spawning of deed from deed and word from word and thought from thought — the world is nothing. Every single soul is a world! (p. 181)
This account by Rice is compelling largely because of the emphasis on spiritual transformation of humans wherein each soul is a world versus a simple entity, contextually tied to a simple perceived reality. Moreover, Rice’s account portrays the intricacy, complexity and vastness of the human soul, more in line with the explorative journey needed to pursue God. Conversely, the notion of conversion seems too tidy and convenient, a expedient way for many churches to grow their congregations. Throughout Jesus’ teachings, it becomes obvious that pursuing the kingdom of God is not easy, requiring the upheaval, transformation and often outright rejection of previously held values, beliefs and perceptions.
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