I’ve recently read I Once Was Lost: What Postmodern Skeptics Taught Us About Their Path to Jesus by Don Everts and Doug Schaupp (IVP Books 2008). It’s a relatively short book (132 pages) written to help Christians understand the thresholds that many people cross as they move toward faith in Christ. The five thresholds are: trusting a Christian, becoming curious, opening up to change, seeking after God and entering the kingdom. Though the subtitle suggests that these thresholds apply only to postmoderns, I see this pattern beyond those who are typically postmodern — including the spiritual journey of a friend who just trusted Christ this past month.
The authors (both long-term campus ministers) are careful not to reduce the work of salvation to “a psychological phenomenon, an inner event that can be controlled…if we preach the gospel just right” (19). “But just as no farmer would spend all her time scattering seeds, or all his time swinging a sickle, we see such one-trick evangelism as foolish spiritual farming. There are five distinct seasons of growth that we’ve noticed again and again. Realizing this organic way that people make their way down the path to faith frees us to respond to our friends’ particular needs at the time” (21).
I recommend this book. It has helped me to understand those stages of a seeker — and act accordingly. As someone who loves to share his faith, but doesn’t easily see people believe, I need all the help I can get.
