Conversion

Lacan

Receiving and witnessing to the grace of conversion in the Old Testament...

The Example of David: Bathsheba

Sin Revealed, Conversion Called for:  prophecy (Nathan)

Confession and Conversion:  prayer, proclamation, pardon and peace

The Grace of Conversion:  the gift of a new heart

The Old Covenant:  from external observance to interior conviction

The New Covenant:  freely, freely you have received

Acceptance of Grace:  called and chosen

Urgency of Conversion:  today if you hear his voice...

Prayer and Witness:  turning heavenward and earthèd praxis

Suffering for Truth:  abandoning yourself to the Holy Will

Conn

Conversion may be defined in the life of T. Merton as a processover time (p. 227).

Developmental Perspective: Transformations in Various Dimensions

Cognitive:  not sophistication but liberation towards authenticity (p. 228)

Affective:  preparing the ground for deeds in light of another's needs

Moral:  from willfulness to community (to autonomy?)

Theological Interpretations:  From Hermeneutics to Relationship

Conversion as Fundamental Option:  positive alignment consistently instantiated

Jesus' Call to Conversion:  change your hearts, the kingdom is at hand

Theological Interpretations and Merton:  awakened to the light

Christian Conversion as Love of Neighbour:  “forgiveness without limit” (p. 237)

Transformation of Social Structures:  from revelation to revolution

Empirical Evaluation:  Serve in obedience to Jesus' God.

Conclusion: From Encounter to Pursuit, from Seed to Ripened Fruit

Hanigan

Specificity entails responsibility.

Christian conversion is a decisive event:  Awakening, awareness & reorientation

Accountability trumps autonomy: Conversion as vocation towards the light

Concrete Referents in the Call to Holiness:  Ethical considerations

Community:  Nurture not nature (p. 32)

Narrative:  Jesus' and Christians' stories as models.

Rational:  Putting your talents to work in a complex but intelligent universe.

Personal:  “Accepting responsibility for one's own judgments of conscience.” (p.32)

Christian conversion carries moral responsibility:  Charity as duty not supererogation