I've just written and published an article about the conversion of Saint Paul on my Damascus Road website, and at the risk of reviewing one of my own articles, I thought it would be a good idea to put in here a commentary I wrote for the sidebar of the page. This commentary was prompted by the realisation that the effect of some of the evangelising styles currently in vogue is not always good for new or intending Christians.

What I am talking about is the "Signs and Wonders" mentality that seems to have crept into some evangelists' repertoires - a tendency to latch onto the most florid and ostentatious experiences in their own circle, and milk them for all they're worth. We are told people are seeing this, hearing that, falling over stunned....and the list goes on. I am not saying some wonderful things don't happen - my complaint is that it's made to look as if they happen all the time. The result of all this hype is that folks who haven't had these experiences begin to feel like they've somehow missed the boat altogether. In some cases, people are actually being told that if they don't have these experiences, they are not true Christians.

Whoooaa, back up! What happened to the "still, small voice of God"? Aren't we forgetting that Jesus said this: "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Matt 12 : 39-40 . He made this response more than once when asked for a sign, and he also commented to Thomas, "... because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed." John 20 : 29.

I'd like to share with you what I was moved to write by way of comment on Saint Paul's conversion experience on the road to Damascus:

"If we only realise it, God has a purpose for every one of us in this life, no less today than 20 centuries ago. Because His creation is based on the principle of free will, we have the option to choose to turn away from wrongdoing and embrace that purpose through Christ, or continue on the path of sin and death. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works." Saint Paul, Ephesians 2:10 - that was the story of Paul's own life.

"With his cultured background and religious fervor, Paul was the ideal choice for the job Jesus set before him. He was fluent in three languages, accustomed to dealing with people in positions of power, and strong in his Hebrew faith. But these qualities of tenacity and determination to see the job done properly made him a difficult prospect for conversion - a man who required a real mind-blowing experience to get his attention and make him rethink his priorities. His experience on the road to Damascus was certainly that.

"There WILL be a "Damascus Road" for you. Don't expect yours to be as dramatic as St Paul's, or yours and mine to be similar - God tailors each one to suit us as individuals. You will have to make a choice that will impact your life totally for good or for evil. Don't underestimate what hangs on your choice - make it wisely. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Saint Paul, Romans 6 : 23 ."

I wrote this precisely because I believe that the current vogue of evangelising hype is actually seriously detrimental to the work of the Body of Christ, because of the confusion and misinformation it contains, and the effect this can have on new Christians, and the expectations of those who are ready to join the church.

Blessings,

Patricia http://damascus-road.info