Turning Toward the Real Kingdom: A Critical Realist Account of “Turning” with Implications for Mission and Discipleship

Abstract

Andrew Walls suggests that the gospel is fundamentally translatable across cultures. Drawing on historical analysis, he identifies “four convictions and responses” that he asserts are universally present across time and cultures where turning has taken place. This article explores a theological frontier by drawing on Walls, Critical Realism, the biblical narrative, and Lynne Taylor's theory of conversion to propose a universal account of “turning” that is translatable between cultures, suggesting important implications for missiology, cross-cultural engagement, evangelism and discipleship.