This is my initial thesis idea which will involve the issue of:
--2nd and 3rd generation conversion experiences;
--interviews of late adolescent youth and college age;
--interested in discovering if the way the church has handled conversion and its experience among those raised in the church/Christians homes has had any impact on where they are today;
--especially interested in if this has any reflection on the "exodus studies" have indicated is taking place among this age away from church.
Initially I will develop a biblical theology of conversion. This is year one.
This will involve a biblical, historical and theological look at conversion.
Then I will settle into understanding how the church has handled conversion.
I want to understand how the church addresses children and youth raised in their congregation about conversion.
Hypotheses::
1. The study of individuation has led me to believe that perhaps young people have left the church in search of a truer conversion experience (for whatever reason)
2. I have personally witnessed churches speaking of conversion experiences in two ways: you need to have your own and the more dramatic it was/is the better.
3. The Puritans had hopes that children raised in their Christian homes would never have know what it was like to not be a Christian
4. The Jews' sign for being one of them was circumcision for the males. At age 12 young men would have a bar-mitzvah where they would have come to the place where the claim being Jewish for themselves.
5. I have met many who have stated they are saved or are Christians but their life and beliefs suggest otherwise. I believe they may have had a "conversion" experience but personally I see it as only mental or perhaps sympathetic at best. There needs to be a better understanding of what conversion really means--Biblically.
6. I believe the church has lost the art of sharing its testimony and speaking about conversion experiences. When we do not speak about something, it loses its impact and importance. The most spiritually alive services I have participated in have been those where testimonies were shared, conversion experiences spoken about (because they were happening) and the church had an understanding because of the common language what it meant to be "saved" and be "converted".
7. These thoughts have been feeding my mind on this topic for several months now. I will add more as I continue.
Please add any comments/reactions below. They will be greatly appreciated!
--2nd and 3rd generation conversion experiences;
--interviews of late adolescent youth and college age;
--interested in discovering if the way the church has handled conversion and its experience among those raised in the church/Christians homes has had any impact on where they are today;
--especially interested in if this has any reflection on the "exodus studies" have indicated is taking place among this age away from church.
Initially I will develop a biblical theology of conversion. This is year one.
This will involve a biblical, historical and theological look at conversion.
Then I will settle into understanding how the church has handled conversion.
I want to understand how the church addresses children and youth raised in their congregation about conversion.
1. The study of individuation has led me to believe that perhaps young people have left the church in search of a truer conversion experience (for whatever reason)
2. I have personally witnessed churches speaking of conversion experiences in two ways: you need to have your own and the more dramatic it was/is the better.
3. The Puritans had hopes that children raised in their Christian homes would never have know what it was like to not be a Christian
4. The Jews' sign for being one of them was circumcision for the males. At age 12 young men would have a bar-mitzvah where they would have come to the place where the claim being Jewish for themselves.
5. I have met many who have stated they are saved or are Christians but their life and beliefs suggest otherwise. I believe they may have had a "conversion" experience but personally I see it as only mental or perhaps sympathetic at best. There needs to be a better understanding of what conversion really means--Biblically.
6. I believe the church has lost the art of sharing its testimony and speaking about conversion experiences. When we do not speak about something, it loses its impact and importance. The most spiritually alive services I have participated in have been those where testimonies were shared, conversion experiences spoken about (because they were happening) and the church had an understanding because of the common language what it meant to be "saved" and be "converted".
7. These thoughts have been feeding my mind on this topic for several months now. I will add more as I continue.
Please add any comments/reactions below. They will be greatly appreciated!