Page 219 - tesis
P. 219

ordering of life\u2019 (A4ICv). This new orientation of life and values help to introduce new ways of thinking and living. For NPS the \u2018believer\u2019s change in thinking and acting brings with it a raised standard of life, which includes economics\u2019 (A1LDG). As Cant\u00F3n points out, the informant\u2019s social position, doctrine and the way their particular denomination functions play an essential role in how they give an answer explaining their conversion (1998: 198). The field work among the NPL shows that they express different opinions and at the same time agree with some ideas beyond their social positions.\u000AThe so called \u2018testimonies\u2019 NPL share in public or in small groups give evidence to changed lives, including the economic area. They talk about a process of change which will re-order their inner life and their family and labour relationships. Those testimonies show that before they become born again some of them had been alcoholics and had lived a disordered life which affected their families and work relationships. After their religious experience they felt the power of God which provoked changes in their lives in different directions. Of course, some studies show that conversion does not always occur as a result of a disorderly life in a time of crisis. The conclusions of the study carried out by ISER among Brazilian evangelicals show that almost half of the new converts interviewed, said that they were not suffering acute problems at the moment of their conversion (Instituto de Estudo da Religiao, ISER 1996: 21-22). Droogers says for Pentecostals conversion involves a radical change: \u2018Conversion is viewed by believers as a radical change; social scientists would say a structural change. The convert adopts new social and symbolic structures (1998: 27). When Evangelicals say that \u2018Christ has changed them\u2019 it includes all areas of their lives at least at a personal level. This does not just stay in the spiritual sphere of faith.\u000AThe Guatemalan economist Marco Cajas states that \u2018Evangelical theology maintains that the key for improving socially is individual regeneration\u2019 (n.d.: 36). For him conversion brings new faith in Jesus Christ and the \u2018possibility\u2019 to improve in the social, economic and cultural areas. It does not just remain as a religious experience set aside from\u000A206\u000A


































































































   217   218   219   220   221