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What Is True Conversion? (Basics of the Reformed Faith)x$0.77
  (1 reviews)
Best Price: $3.50 $0.77
With his personal and warm style, Stephen Smallman explains the roles of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit in conversion. For many people who have been converted to Christ, they are "profoundly aware that something spiritual has happened, but just what that "something" is, is still unclear." Whether you are a new convert or have been a believing Christian for some time, this booklet will be a help to bring you to a place of trusting yourself into the care of the Savior.
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Customer Reviews
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How can you know that you've been saved?
By A3CFBDIKSJNYFE on 2007-03-22
Smallman writes a book to the new follower of Christ to address some of the questions or issues about their conversion based on Scripture as well as on his and others personal experience. His primary emphasis is to help the reader understand the importance and work of the Holy Spirit with His effectual calling that started them on the path toward salvation. The book, obviously, isn't intended to be a deep theological examination of the concept of justification, but rather a simple and straightforward approach to address the idea that a person has undergone a recent life-changing experience and may be wondering what just happened. Smallman takes the reader to Scripture as well as the Westminster Catechism for a good summary understanding of a very complex, mysterious process we call salvation. And he leaves the reader with an understanding not only of this past experience, but also of its future ramifications and responsibilities as a follower of Christ.
The book is simple and easy to read and would be a good gift to anyone either feeling that the Lord is pressing on their hearts or having recently given their life to Christ. One small issue I had with the book is the concept that Smallman shares about the assurance of one's conversion. He writes, "We can be assured that we are converted because we continue to embrace Jesus Christ freely offered to us in the gospel." And following that statement, Smallman quotes from the Heidelberg Catechism this statement: "Therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him." To me there seems to be two divergent concepts given here on the issue of assurance of salvation - one is that we continue to walk in a manner worthy of our calling, the other is that we are sealed with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit and that this is our assurance regardless of our actions. Now, some may say that since we have the presence of the Holy Spirit, our walk is now thus directed by him and this answers the issue of Smallman's point. But, I see the two being a little confusing to most people and I wish that Smallman would have clarified his position on this concept.
Nonetheless, the book is intended not for deep theological debate and discussion, but for clarification for the new believer to understand this conversion and the new life and new path that follow. For that purpose, the book is valuable and well done.
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