[Greek] ἐπιστρέφω (epistrephō), [Latin] convertere, [Latin] revertere, [French] tourner, [French] se changer: to convert, to turn about, to change, to return, to come back, to turn towards; 44 scriptural passages
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to turn about, to turn around, to put an enemy into flight, to turn’s one attention to, to bring into action, to correct, to repent, to distort, to go back and forth, and to turn against.
Herodotus’ Histories 2.103.2: “From there he turned around and went back there.”
Sophocles’ Philoctetes 599: “The Atreides after so long a time turn their thoughts toward this man.”
Euripides Heracleidae 942: “Come, first turn your head towards me and steel yourself to look you enemies in the face; you are ruled, no longer the ruler.”
Sophocles’ Trachiniae 1182: “Why do you urge this needless pledge on me?”
Sophocles Antigone 1111: “But since my judgment has taken this turn.”
Euripides’ Ion 352: “She went back and forth over much ground.”
Herodotus’ Histories 1.88: “He for his part was silent, deep in thought.”
Old Testament: This term, used quite extensively, means to turn and to change. Such meanings include to turn, to change, to restore, to do again, to repel, to change behavior, to believe, to return, to convert, to apostatize, to give back, and to bring to someone’s side, and to refuse to help.
New Testament: This terms to physically turn, to appear, to change one’s beliefs (ways), and to cause to change beliefs. I will focus on the latter two meanings: changing one’s beliefs (ways) and causing to change beliefs.
To change one’s beliefs (ways):
Mk.4:12: Hardness of heart makes it difficult for conversion (turning the heart)
Acts 9:35: Turn to the Lord
Jas.5:19: Stray from the truth
Acts 14:15: Turn from these idols to the living God
2Pet.2:21: It would have been better not to have known righteous than turning back from it. (This entails much more serious spiritual or eternal consequences).
To cause to change others’ beliefs (ways):
Lk.1:16-17: John the Baptist will turn many to the Lord
Acts 26:18: Jesus send Paul to open their eyes that they may turn from darkness to light
2Cor.3:16: Whenever a person turns to Christ, the veil is removed
Jas.5:20: Whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way
Conclusion:
Convert, conversion, revert, turn, change, return, reverse
As it turns out, the simple notion of turning can convey various motivations. Some examples include putting an enemy to flight (to turn back), to pay attention (to turns one’s mind to), to reflect (to turn oneself inward), to force (to turn to), and to oppose (to turn against).
In the Old Testament, this term plays an important role in defining one’s relationship with God.
Mt.10:13 states that an unworthy recipient will not receive your peace. (This peace was never received and so is returned back to you).
Mt.12:44 states that the refusal of this evil generation to accept Jesus will cause greater problems. (Evil left in a void can in turn produce greater evil).
In Acts 26:18 Jesus tasked Paul to remove the spiritual blindness (turning to darkness) of others.
2Cor.3:16: Moses veiled his face to protect the Israelites from God’s reflected glory. Their thoughts continue to remain dull as their “veil of misunderstanding” remains. Whenever a person turns to the Lord, the “veil” is removed.
Update: Finland and Sweden, changing their defense security policies, seeks to join NATO.
Europe will need to change its energy needs, turning away from Russia.
The Biden administration has paused their planned “Ministry of Truth as public opposition and ridicule has turned on them.
The Ukrainians, putting up a valiant effort in Mariupol, were faced with realities of surrendering (turning back).
Undercover videos continually show social media executives (turning) showing their contempt toward conservatives.
There continues to be more support turning to prohibiting transgender women from women’s supports.
The American people are returning their anger to the Biden administration for failing to act sooner on the baby infant formula crisis.
More and more people are urging the Biden administration to fulfill its responsibility to control the southern border.
President Biden has turned to further canceling the oil and gas leases.
Many now call traditional and conservative Catholic and (Christian) beliefs systems (which come from God) as extreme or hateful. (Modern society often turns around the meaning of words to accommodate and rationalize their belief systems in this post-modern Christian world).
Catholics (and Christians) who yet still support abortion may have some ‘splaining to do’ at their judgment before God! (This is more serious than just plain ignorance).
Many of us have prayed for the conversion of hearts so that abortion would end.
Yet many still do not want to remove this veil of “choice”, “right”, and “convenience” covering their hearts, not wanting (or unable) to see the realities of abortion.
Anger, often found in the voids of broken families, lack of morals, mental health identification failures, security failures, and political entrenchment, unfortunately often leads to tragedy.
Uvalde tragedy: At the end of the day, many of us really cannot begin to imagine the grief and despair that families are experiencing now. Although this may provide small comfort, I can only offer another perspective about your suffering. Maybe this could potentially can change or turn your mind regarding aspects of suffering. 1Pet.2:19-21 states that unjust suffering because of the consciousness of God (circumstances beyond one’s control) is a grace. Through no fault of their own, you and yours have been called to follow Jesus’ footsteps in suffering in response to evil.
“For whenever anyone bears the pain of unjust suffering because of consciousness of God, that is a grace. But if you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God. For this you have been called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in His footsteps.” 1Pet.1:19-21
Let me cut to the chase. Advancement can be clear-cut, ambiguous, and unknown. It now seems that sometimes it is often difficult to find or make progress in our current times. Military wars are continuing, with no end in sight. Tragedies must call for the very urgent need to correct the multiple failures which contribute to these events. These political and cultural powers may however drive forward, influencing and being influenced by our choices, decisions, and public opinion. Such movements often provide a shining light on the moral compass of a culture. Progress is also made when we learn how these issues impact our freedom and liberty. These events help us to move forward in helping us to define our values as a society.
Next post: To cut a way forward (to advance something)