Spiritual Conversion, the Christian Born Again Experience, Within the Context of a Fundamental Baptist Congregation.

Abstract

The born again experience this dissertation addresses is a specific type of Christian conversion experience. This experience is not an esoteric manifestation of a select few, rather, an extensive phenomenon that is reported by thous and s of individuals every year. This study was conducted to gain a greater underst and ing of the born again experience and to ascertain the meaning of the experience for persons who have had it. All research was conducted in response to the question: What is the meaning of the individual experience of being born again? The data collection procedure employed was styled after Barritt, Beekman, Bleeker and Muldery (1979). It is known as the descriptive phenomenological approach, utilizing self reports (written descriptions) and personal interviews. Twelve informants from a fundamental Baptist church participated. The informants ages ranged between twelve and fifty-five. The analysis discussion identifies five major themes (those which are common to each informant's experience) and a learnings discussion addresses two major questions of one's self knowledge: (1) To what extent does the born again experience effect the solicitation of feedback? (2) To what extent does the born again experience effect self disclosure? The conclusion suggests that a communication barrier arises when the born again individual feeling a great deal of joy about his new self, experiences difficulty in being known to others in his new self. Mutual underst and ing could be obtained via churches and adult education departments providing seminars on "The Meaning of the Born Again Experience." This would offer persons wishing to be known (born again believers) and persons wishing to know, an opportunity to engage in constructive interaction. Subsequent inquiries in this realm could incorporate an exploration of the commonalities manifested in other conversion experiences (i.e., Hinduism, Islam), with the born again experience.