The 4 Turnings
29 08 2007
On his blog "Into the Mystic" Alex McManus (brother of Erwin, pastor of Mosaic) writes about the 4 turnings of the Spirit. These are the four major kinds of repentances that a person goes through as they become a mature follower of Christ.
The four turnings are these:
- A turning to Jesus Christ as Lord
- A turning to some form of Christ following community
- A turning to the Scriptures
- A turning back to the world on mission
These turnings can happen in any order. That these can happen in any order must be emphasized. Many will belong to the community of faith for a season before ever believing in Jesus. Others will be on mission to the world before reading and centering the scripture. Some will believe in Jesus but will hesitate to identify with a Christ following community.
What do these four turnings looks like?
Do you think it's possible to do #4 before #1? It seems like we focus on #1 so much (or #2 at ChallengeMSC) that we miss out on 50%-75% of the people out there who look to the other 2 or 3.
Jake is starting a scripture study in the dorms, and I believe Chick Church has the same plan for sometime soon too. This is a great way to lead people to #3 - a turning to the Scriptures. From here, it's easier to lead them to another, then another.
What do you think about this? What can we do better?
It seems like Erwin has argued in the past that all these “turnings” are at least encouraged to happen at the beginning. I like the idea that there are things to which we need to awaken, or to encourage an awakening in others. I personally think that if a turning to holiness is not a separate issue, then Lordship is probably our biggest need.
Yes, I’ve seen #4 happen before #1, which is why the word back should be removed from #4. In fact, that’s always how I’ve thought it happened for me. I can remember being really inspired in church back in high school to go out and change the world by doing good and even to talk with people about Jesus, and then being really sad when the guy preaching said I had to be a baptized, church going Christian first. When I first started hanging at Challenge, there were 6 of us and we knew we had to do something or die, and I was all about it even though I hadn’t turned to Christ yet. It only took about a semester of #4 to convince me I needed help, and #1 was a good idea. But I’m odd . . .
This list does remind me of some things Jesus used to say to the Pharisees though, like John 5:39, when He said You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! and Matthew 23:15, What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell you yourselves are! Darrin’s right, Lordship is still the key issue, because if you miss Jesus, you’ve missed the whole point, and it’s entirely possible to settle for #2-4. The Pharisees did.
But Kevin/Alex make a good point. We eliminate a lot of authentic turnings towards God when the only option we hold out to people is #1. This reminds me of my old conversations with D about pre-Christian discipleship, and Mike Frost’s stuff on inviting people into spiritual rhythms that will walk them towards God, things like service and meditation/openness to God. With that in mind, Jake might be more effective in the dorms if, in addition to the scriptures and the gathering, he could offer people some ways to serve the dorm they’re in and make it a better place (#4). Of course, Jake’s natural effervescence is almost enough to do that on its own.
Cool new look for the site, by the way.
Neat addition to this conversation, Nick. Somewhat historical. As I type this I am listening to The Maker by Daniel Lanois - adds to the moment. Tonight at movieology (very well led by Garrett, by the way), we actually chased the same thinking when Garrett used Jason Bourne to illustrate a “turning away/turning toward.” We dialogued a bit with Kevin’s entry as a focal point. I shared how important it was for me as a young guy (really historical, now) to move away from destination thinking to journey-think. I turned away from setting goals related to jobs, incomes, who to marry etc…, and went more to themes or principles (knowing, loving and glorifying God, raising up qualified laborers, etc…). I think the turn was from getting it right to simply being it right. I think it is Lordship. Maybe this is all just my excuse for still not making any money!