Conversion to Christianity

== Individual conversion ==
James P. Hanigan writes that individual conversion is the foundational experience and the central message of Christianity, adding that Christian conversion begins with an experience of being "thrown off balance" through cognitive and  psychological "disequilibrium", followed by an "awakening" of consciousness and a new awareness of God.{{sfn|Hanigan|1983|pp=25, 28–29}} Hanigan compares it to  "death and rebirth, a turning away..., a putting off of the old..., a change of mind and heart".{{sfn|Hanigan|1983|pp=25–26}} The person responds by acknowledging and confessing personal lostness and sinfulness, and then accepting a [[Universal call to holiness|call to holiness]] thus restoring balance. This initial internal conversion is followed by practices that further the process of conversion, which according to Hanigan, will include ethical changes.{{sfn|Hanigan|1983|loc=abstract|pp=25–28}}

In examples of conversion from the New Testament, such as [[Saint Peter|Peter's]] conversion<ref>{{bibleverse|Luke|5:1-11}}, {{bibleverse|Matt.|4:18-22}}</ref> and [[Apostle Paul|Paul's]],<ref>{{bibleverse|Acts|9}}</ref> Hanigan perceives this same common "death and rebirth" experience. He says these individuals did not respond out of a sense of guilt, but from awe, reverence, and holy fear of what they perceived as God's presence.{{sfn|Hanigan|1983|pp=25-28}}
[[File:Jan Frans van Geel and Jan Baptist van Hool - The calling of St. Peter and St. Andrew, detail of the pulpit in the St. Andrew's Church, Antwerp.jpg|thumb|Jan Frans van Geel and Jan Baptist van Hool - The calling of St. Peter and St. Andrew, detail of the pulpit in the St. Andrew's Church, Antwerp|alt=depiction of a life size wooden carving of Jesus calling Peter and Andrew as they climb out of their fishing boat]]
Comparative studies of the early twenty-first century offer the insight that religious conversion provides a new locus of self-definition, moral authority and social identity through the acceptance of religious actions that seem more fitting and true to the recipient.{{sfn|Hefner|2023|p=17}}

Anthropologist Robert Hefner adds that "Conversion assumes a variety of forms... because it is influenced by a larger interplay of identity, politics and morality".{{sfn|Hefner|2023|p=4}} The message of Truth, a redemptive identity, and acceptance into a social organization whose purpose is the propagation of that message has proven to be a revolutionary force in its own right.{{sfn|Hefner|2023|p=20}}