Conversions

I just got finished listening to a delightful little book by an ex-Syracuse English professor, who converted to Christianity somewhere following tenure (“The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert”). As someone influenced by the anti-Christian spirit that can be found in some academic institutions (I’ve never encountered this anywhere I have been, including Harvard which was probably the most spiritual academic place I have been, and I got my doctorate AT a Christian college). It got me to think, what are some of the most distinct and dramatic conversions I am aware. Here are eight that pop into my mind, and, like life, are diverse.

1)    CS Lewis. Lewis is probably the most influential Christian writer of the last 500 years. His conversion from a devout Atheist at Oxford was centered on one of the most essential reads of all Christian writings, GK Chesterton’s The Everlasting Man.

2) Anthony Flew. Antony Flew was the 2^nd if not most prominent Atheist philosopher of the 20^th century. Several years before his death, the Brit lost his Atheist faith based on the realization that life is here by accident is ludicrious. (see “There is a God” by Anthony Flew).

3) John C. Wright, acclaimed science fiction writer

“I prayed. ‘Dear God, I know… that you do not exist. Nonetheless, as a scholar, I am forced to entertain the hypothetical possibility that I am mistaken’

Soon after, Wright over a series of days had a number of visions and physical encounters with Biblical figures.

4) Edward Feser   One of my favorite contemporary philosophers, Edward Feser converted to Catholism in his 30’s.  Feser is a prolific and highly-skilled writer. “The Last Superstition” is a contemporary philosophical masterpiece refuting the new (recycled) atheism from the likes of Harris and Dawkins. It was classical theistic viewpoints from Augustine and Aquinas that convinced Feser of the truth of theism.

5) Alister McGrath. Another leading philosopher, Alister McGrath was a product of the 60’s British attitudes towards God, particularly in academia. When he had to consider theism as part of his educational process, he dreadfully at first, realized that it had explanatory power that atheism was completely void of. He has since become a leading philosopher in Theism, and is also a prolific writer and critic of Dawkins and Harris.

6) My favorite conversion is of the great 20^th century evolutionary biologist, George Price. In a remarkable recount of his life, “The Price of Altruism” explains how Price realized that good in this world was outside of any explanatory power, and dedicated the last years of his life fully entrenched in helping the poor. He died of despair, killing himself because of the pain he felt of the people suffering in this world. One of the most remarkable people to live, his story is unforgettable.

7) The best looking person on this list, by far (sorry Alistair), Olivia Wilde. Olivia Wilde was an ardent materialist, and preparing for a film a few years ago, she was led to read NY police records of alleged exorcisms that took place. She came to think the reports as utterly true, and is now a theist.

8) M, via E.  I met M through E at Harvard. E was a very bright, extremely well-behaved and sincere young Christian who is now in her medical residency. She was married to M, who was an atheist, until meeting E. He is now training as a Ph.D. student in philosophy. However, M becaome a Christian because E is an incredibly generous and caring person, not because an intellectual awakening. These are the best conversion stories, I think, in the eyes of the Almighty.