Well, I have had a few days to mull over the 8 sessions of the NPTS Symposium on the Theological Interpretation of Scripture. I have a few general observations.Consensus seemed to be among all participants (presenters, respondents, and attendees, who spoke) that conversion is better understood as a process in which one continues to deepen what may have been in fact the first event of conversion. There was also consensus that conversion was difficult to define in satisfactory ways that covers all instances of what we may wish to call conversion. Also there seemed to be agreement though this was not thoroughly discussed, that there are a variety of types of conversion (Lewis Rambo, in his book on conversion identifies, I believe at least four general types of conversion.) Also, most seemed to feel the need to approach conversion with care: either because the desire to [...]

Original post by lekamphausen@netzero.net (Larry Kamphausen)

Andrew Dearman, Conversion in the OT
Illustration: Carla Fe Tucker in Texas prison system on Death Row. No doubt about her guilt. As a young woman she had killed someone and convicted of that crime. Converted in prison and then lived an exemplary life in prison. Discussion in media, was what was a conversion worth. In the end the Governor of Texas refused to commute her sentence, or pardon. And question was asked is this the same person who killed the person 20 years earlier.
Language of conversion in OT, for example Jeremiah’s language, where it is said that God will remember their sins no more.
Three observations:1) say quite abit about definitions2) Scholars will not agree about those definitions.3) the speaker will not spend alot of time on definitions.
Broadly define from dictionary-Laboratory, scientific conversion tables-Fundamental transformation-Broad definition is conversion transformation, and the OT has much to say about [...]

Original post by lekamphausen@netzero.net (Larry Kamphausen)

Israel’s story-Conversion should be seen from perspective of people and nations.Transformation is needed and necessary for nations and peoples.
Genesis 12:1-3, call of Abram and Sara:Counter movement of Genesis thus far. Hinge passage, looks back and projects forward. promises given in this passage, and blessing decedents and to the Nations. Cast a larger shadow in the unfolding narrative beyond the Pentateuch. Theme of God’s intent to bless continues throughout the Pentateuch.
These blessings are promised to descendants or descendant (NT applied to messiah).
Prophets provide eschatology fulfillment. The promise is unrealized but projected on an international and cosmic scale.
Prophets and future transformation-Evil and recalcitrant, are destroyed or changed, Isreal is changed and expanded. Nations brought into the reign of God.
Isaiah 2:2-5streaming of nations to the temple in Jerusalem.
Themes- What is depicted and prommised to Israel is eventualy also promised to and extended to the Nations.
Worship life [...]

Original post by lekamphausen@netzero.net (Larry Kamphausen)

Michael Gorman-
1) definition and methodology2) identifying Peter’s conversion3)differences in meaning of conversion4) ongoing meaning for us.
1) Method forces Markus to deny Joppa as a moment of conversion, and make distinction between call and conversion. This undermines his final conclusion that Peter’s conversion was multiple. Conversion should not be defined in terms of vocabulary used but other factors.2)Identifying Peter’s conversion, and to Christian memory, Paul’s memory of Peter.Paul depicts of Peter is lead astray and acting antithetical of Gospel. in light of this what happened to Peter at Joppa was in fact a conversion. Thus indeed Peter was a person of multiple conversions.3)Similarities between Peter and Paul’s conversions around turning to to cross4) Ongoing meaning:Peter and Paul symbols of unity of differing types of conversion. Perhaps we can learn from Petrine and Pauline similarity and difference. Even Paul saw as need for ongoing conversion.

Original post by lekamphausen@netzero.net (Larry Kamphausen)

Three corolations- and this risks simplyfying hte complex.
Augustine context of Bishop pastoring those whose spirituality that is less than athletic, influence Augustine intepretation as he attempts to interpret the texts as for those under hsi patoral care?
And with Wesley, is it his context of fighting nominal faith lead to Weseley’s interpretation?
and IN our time in which Christin morality is not dominant and thus don’t have the category of sin and they will only have that category and struggle after conversion and not before?
Looking at history of interpretation, which have proved enduring and credibal across contexts. But for Romans 7 drawing that map of plausibility is difficult. And so it is hard to see what direction to take in interpretation.
However, there are things we can see there is a sense of Romans 7 of a movement towards God through the struggle with sin. Though thee may be other things [...]

Original post by lekamphausen@netzero.net (Larry Kamphausen)

Stephen Chester, Romans 7 Conversion in the Protestant Tradition
History of interpretation organized between how interpreters answer these questions of conversion and how their beliefs about what conversion influences the exegesis of Romans 7.
Story of Romans 7 interpretation-Sketch mainlines of development-In connection with conversion as long as people have interpreted the text so far as we have evidence of reading Romans 7. Patristic authors do see this as a model of the progress of the individual towards God through a struggle with sin.Begin alienated from God and move or moved closer to God.
This is the background of these interpretations for the Reformation interpretations of Romans 7.
Protestantism developed at least two approaches to Romans 7. 1) Reformed side puritan tradition as concerned with struggle with sin in the Christian life. Driving concern the need to distinguish of experience of conviction of sin in conversion and struggle of sin [...]

Original post by lekamphausen@netzero.net (Larry Kamphausen)

Boaz Johnson response-Agrees with conversion as fundamental change and transformation. Appreciates the eschatology dimension given to this theme.
Individual conversion accounts are few and infrequent, in comparison to the transformation of peoples and cosmos.
He sees the picture differently, and based in his experience of the OT in his own conversion from Hinduism and has seen conversion from Hunduism and Islam. OT become models for conversions as we find in NT.
Best conversion studies have yet come out of Hindu, Moslem, and Buddhist settings. But also in anti conversion laws. Also raises questions what is a Christian. The question needs to be in these contexts of India, Middle east, Africa etc. Ask question of Western Church to take a second look at the OT Stories. Membership in extended family and clan, and this is model of conversion and in many place around the world. Abraham [...]

Original post by lekamphausen@netzero.net (Larry Kamphausen)

Isreal’s story-Conversion shoudl be seen from perspective of people and nations.Transformation is needed and necessary for nations and peoples.
Genesis 12:1-3, call of Abram and Sara:Counter movement of Genesis thus far. Hinge passage, looks back and projects forward. promises given in this passage, and blessing decedents and to the Nations. Cast a larger shadow in the unfolding narrative beyond the Pentateuch. Theme of God’s intent to bless continues throughout the Pentateuch.
These blessings are promised to descendants or descendant (NT applied to messiah).
Prophets provide eschatology fulfillment. The promise is unrealized but projected on an international and cosmic scale.
Prophets and future transformation-Evil and recalcitrant, are destroyed or changed, Isreal is changed and expanded. Nations brought into the reign of God.
Isaiah 2:2-5streaming of nations to the temple in Jerusalem.
Themes- What is depicted and prommised to Israel is eventualy also promised to and extended to the Nations.
Worship life [...]

Original post by lekamphausen@netzero.net (Larry Kamphausen)

Andrew Dearman, Conversion in the OT
Ilustration: Carla Fe Tucker in Texas prison system on Death Row. No doubt about her guilt. As a young woman she had killed someone and convicted of that crime. Converted in prison and then lived an exemplary life in prison. Discussion in media, was what was a conversion worth. In the end the Govenor of Texas refused to commute her sentence, or pardon. And question was asked is this the same person who killed the person 20 years earlier.
Language of conversion in OT, for example Jeremiah’s language, where it is said that God will remember their sins no more.
Three observations:1) say quite abit about definitions2) Scholars will not agree about those definitions.3) the speaker will not spend alot of time on definitions.
Broadly define from dictionary-Laboratory, scientific conversion tables-Fundamental transformation-Broad definition is conversion transformation, and the OT has much to say about [...]

Original post by lekamphausen@netzero.net (Larry Kamphausen)

Yesterday I posted during the Third session discussing when Peter was converted. Which pointed to one conclusion that many seem to be coming to that conversion isn’t necessarily a one time deal.
Frank Macchia, Professor of Theology at Vanguard University, focused on how conversion of one outside the group into the group was from at least a Lukan perspective a call for conversion and renewal of the group. A striking feature of Macchia’s presentation was his use of the word righteous in the gospels in an unqualified way. Generally it seems we tend to interpret (or immediately translate) righteous when used of the pharisees or those who opposed Jesus’ table fellowship with sinner’s and publicans, as meaning self-righteous. We immediately exempt ourselves from the criticism, if we apply the criticism to any one in the church it is always those other people. Macchia in almost astounding but [...]

Original post by lekamphausen@netzero.net (Larry Kamphausen)