Page 134 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 23

Response to: The Threefold Conversion

Like a map when you are lost, Werner’s ar�cle on the threefold conversion
helps you to locate yourself amidst life’s complex experiences.
Reorienta�on is usually a welcome experience in a human life. We could
spend hours with the meat of this ar�cle, but I want to provide a few
minutes of reflec�on that aims to tease out one thread—knowing God.
Werner discusses ideas of trus�ng God personally, experiencing His
Kingdom in the church, and partaking in the great story throughout all of life
in a compelling manner. Throughout, I could not stop thinking about an idea
Kapic discusses in his book on naviga�ng suffering, the idea of ‘hard
thoughts about God’(Kelly Kapic, Embodied Hope (IVP Academic, 2017),
10.). These hard thoughts are the conclusions internalized about God and
his world, perhaps fostered by “painful childhood experiences, heavy-
handed preaching, or something else”.( Kapic, Embodied Hope, 10.) These Paul Loosemore (USA)
hard thoughts linger in the shadows of our awareness, driving our Ph.D., LPC, NCC is an assi-
interpreta�ons and ac�ons in life. What are the hard thoughts you have stant professor of Clinical
held about God, or currently struggle with? Perhaps, “He isn’t completely Mental Health Counse-
trustworthy”, “He really isn’t that interested in me”, “He demands too much ling at Covenant Theolo-
of me”, “He can’t really love me”, “He isn’t very fair, or kind, or…” gical Seminary in St
Louis, Missouri. Paul’s
Regarding the first conversion (to Christ) Werner is clear that our faith and primary research inte-
trust is in a great God, not a faith or set of rules. But how o�en do we rests are spiritual inte-
struggle to trust that God really is who he says he is, and has done what he gra�on in counseling,
counselor forma�on,
says he did, or really wants to care for us? Many �mes, we have divided
hearts and experiences, both believing in a loving God but harboring great character virtue forma�-
on, and counselor educa-
doubt that leads to subtle resistance or hesita�on. How can I really give my �on. Paul conducts a pri-
life over to God and His plan? In response to this conundrum Werner calls
vate prac�ce in the local
us to faith, to boldly learning afresh who the true God is that we might trust community, working with
him more fully. Because of complicated or ‘hard thoughts’ I think we do well individuals, couples and
to look to the other conversions for help as they are powerful means of families.
grace in our lives.

Within the second conversion (to the Church) some people with ‘hard
thoughts’ about God withdraw from the body and avoid ac�ons that seem
to aggravate their thoughts with conclusions such as, “I knew I could never
fit into this oppressive faith”. However, if as Werner names, the power of
unity becomes present through the church to struggling believers then they
might indeed find rest amidst the incomparable collec�on of imperfect
people. People harm, and people heal. A func�oning, accep�ng, loving body
can experien�ally partake in the remedy for ‘hard thoughts about God’. We
learn in pa�ent and humble community that we are in fact “lovable”, or
“God may be interested a�er all”. Such community can hear, lament,
struggle, accept, worship, love, tend, cherish, and invite, in a pa�ent process
together. These are the func�ons of a healthy church seeking a�er a God
whom we need not have ‘hard thoughts’ about. How are we able to be a
part of this body?

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