Each passage describes a turning of the whole person to a new way of life or belief. Plato uses the word for education, the soul turned from shadows towards the good. Paul and Augustine are turned suddenly, by a voice from heaven or a child’s chant. Lucius is restored to human shape by Isis and bound to her service; Justin is persuaded by watching Christians face death without fear; Edwin’s Northumbrians reach their decision in council, after argument.
Chosen by hand, not counted: a passage is here when it is plainly about the topic, and the list is not every mention. Each is shown in the order the books were written, and each links to the section it is in.
Socrates calls education an art of conversion, turning the soul from darkness towards the good.
… And must there not be some art which will effect conversion in the easiest and quickest manner; not implanting the faculty of sight, for that exists already, but has been turned in the wrong direction, and is looking away from the truth? Yes, he said, such an art may be presumed. … Book 7 →A light from heaven strikes Saul near Damascus, and a voice asks why he persecutes Jesus.
And as he went on his journey, it came to pass that he drew nigh to Damascus. And suddenly a light from heaven shined round about him. Acts 9 →Isis restores Lucius to human shape and binds the rest of his life to her service.
… Behold I am come to take pitty of thy fortune and tribulation, behold I am present to favour and ayd thee, leave off thy weeping and lamentation, put away all thy sorrow, for behold the healthfull day which is ordained by my providence, therefore be ready to attend to my commandement. … Book 11 →Eusebius quotes Justin: seeing Christians unafraid of death turned him from Plato to Christianity.
… And in the same work he shows that his conversion from Greek philosophy to Christianity was not without reason, but that it was the result of deliberation on his part. His words are as follows: “For I myself, while I was delighted with the doctrines of Plato, and heard the Christians slandered, and saw that they were afraid neither of death nor of anything else ordinarily looked upon as terrible, concluded that it … Book 4 →In a garden at Milan, Augustine hears a child’s voice say ‘Take up and read’, and opens Paul.
… So was I speaking and weeping in the most bitter contrition of my heart, when, lo! I heard from a neighbouring house a voice, as of boy or girl, I know not, chanting, and oft repeating, "Take up and read; Take up and read." Instantly, my countenance altered, I began to think most intently whether children were wont in any kind of play to sing such words: nor could I remember ever to have heard the like. … Book 8 →King Edwin’s council debates the new faith, and the priest Coifi turns against the old gods.
The king, hearing these words, answered, that he was both willing and bound to receive the faith which Paulinus taught; but that he would confer about it with his chief friends and counsellors, to the end that if they also were of his opinion, they might all together be consecrated to Christ in the font of life. Paulinus consenting, the king did as he said; … Book 2 →