11th out of 28 books
—
4 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “The Autobiography of Charles G. Finney: The Life Story of America's Great Evangelist-In His Own Words” as Want to Read:
The Autobiography of Charles G. Finney: The Life Story of America's Great Evangelist-In His Own Words
Many Christians today may be unaware of the tremendous impact that Charles G. Finney had on the spiritual landscape of the United States. His years of revival work yielded valuable insights on the work of the Holy Spirit and timeless principles that many still find vital for advancing the kingdom of God. A truly fascinating record of a uniquely gifted and godly man, this a
...more
Paperback
,
230 pages
Published
May 1st 2006
by Bethany House Publishers
(first published 1876)
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
The Autobiography of Charles G. Finney
,
please sign up
.
Be the first to ask a question about The Autobiography of Charles G. Finney
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
280)
I read this mainly for the purpose of pleasing a friend and gathering discernment. There was much to cringe at and yet also much to apply. It's easy to lump people into categories but this was a challenge in my discernment between truth and lie. Finney's impact on the Church has been substantial making the read worth my time.
Charles Finney is a rough writer. His language is unpolished and often plain old uneducated. I am reading this book on the heels of reading the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin who was very driven and self-educated. Franklin was also very arrogant and thought very well of himself, often blind to his own immorality. Finney remained uneducated intentionally. He did not want to be learned, polished, or suave. He wanted to obey the voice of his creator at all costs. So, the beauty of his story is
...more
view 1 comment
i have to give this book 5 stars because it runs on a "re-read" rotation. i am not sure how many times i have read the book - but i enjoy it each time and see it with both new eyes and the welcoming eyes of a familiar friend.
finney is the source (at least the greatest source) of the govermental theory of the atonement - pure trouble and bad theology through and through. yet, that has never detracted from my enjoyment and learning experienced in reading this auto-biography.
finney applied a lawye ...more
finney is the source (at least the greatest source) of the govermental theory of the atonement - pure trouble and bad theology through and through. yet, that has never detracted from my enjoyment and learning experienced in reading this auto-biography.
finney applied a lawye ...more
Jan 08, 2013
Don Bryant
added it
In my branch of Evangelicalism, Charles Finney comes close to being the devil. He is clearly semi-Pelagian. His conviction was that man was not so totally fallen that he had lost the ability to be recognize and choose the good. This spilled out into his views on the atonement. But I need to hear Finney speak for himself. He did consider himself an Edwardsean. And it is true that Edwards did have a more optimistic anthropology that allowed for a conversionism apart from the usual means of grace,
...more
I found that many of the stereotypes concerning Finney are unwarranted. I found this abridged version to be a delightful testimony of a man greatly used by God. We do not have to agree with someone to learn from them. Many souls were brought into the Kingdom through Finney's obedience. This is that story.
The evangelist must produce excitements sufficient to induce people to repentance.
Thus wrote the controversial Charles G. Finney, one of the most influential men in American church history. He is credited with developing a new method for evangelism and with over half a million ‘decisions for Christ’. On the other hand, some point out that the region he worked in has become a ‘spiritual wasteland’ and suggest that is because of the emotionalism and theology of his approach.
One way for our teens ...more
Thus wrote the controversial Charles G. Finney, one of the most influential men in American church history. He is credited with developing a new method for evangelism and with over half a million ‘decisions for Christ’. On the other hand, some point out that the region he worked in has become a ‘spiritual wasteland’ and suggest that is because of the emotionalism and theology of his approach.
One way for our teens ...more
Universalism is the belief that all persons will ultimately receive salvation from God. Mr. Finney was against this. Unitarianism is the belief that God is one. Mr. Finney was against this. It appears that everyone from Illinois to Massachusetts were sinful backsliders until Mr. Finney brought his revival to them. They became agitated, cryed, swooned and fainted. Some who opposed him fell dead.
Anyhow, this book and the other book I'm reading on slave religion has me wondering exactly when was t ...more
Anyhow, this book and the other book I'm reading on slave religion has me wondering exactly when was t ...more
Totally boring writing style but this book gave me encouragement to finally step out in Open-Air Preaching. If God can do it through him, He can do it through you! :-)
"I went here, I went there. I did this, I did that." That pretty much sums it up. Best to stay away from Finney. Reading John Bunyan's "Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners" is a million times more profitable.
Finney was ridiculously influential, so everyone should read this. Self-centered, weepy stuff.
A good read about Church history and how we got to where we are today in the Church.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Charles Grandison Finney was a leader in the Second Great Awakening. He has been called The Father of Modern Revivalism. Finney was best known as an innovative revivalist, an opponent of Old School Presbyterian theology, an advocate of Christian perfectionism, a pioneer in social reforms in favor of women and blacks, a religious writer, and president at Oberlin College.
He is not to be mistaken for ...more
More about Charles Grandison Finney...
He is not to be mistaken for ...more
“I returned to the front office, and found that the fire that I had made of large wood was nearly burned out. But as I turned and was about to take a seat by the fire, I received a mighty baptism of the Holy Ghost. Without any expectation of it, without ever having the thought in my mind that there was any such thing for me, without any recollection that I had ever heard the thing mentioned by any person in the world, the Holy Spirit descended upon me in a manner that seemed to go through me, body and soul. I could feel the impression, like a wave of electricity, going through and through me. Indeed it seemed to come in waves and waves of liquid love, for I could not express it in any other way. It seemed like the very breath of God. I can recollect distinctly that it seemed to fan me, like immense wings.”
—
2 likes
“But as I turned and was about to take a seat by the fire, I received a mighty baptism of the Holy Ghost. Without any expectation of it, without ever having the thought in my mind that there was any such thing for me, without any recollection that I had ever heard the thing mentioned by any person in the world, the Holy Spirit descended upon me in a manner that seemed to go through me, body and soul. I could feel the impression, like a wave of electricity, going through and through me. Indeed it seemed to come in waves and waves of liquid love, for I could not express it in any other way. It seemed like the very breath of God. I can recollect distinctly that it seemed to fan me, like immense wings. No words can express the wonderful love that was shed abroad in my heart. I wept aloud with joy and love; and I do not know but I should say, I literally bellowed out the unutterable gushings of my heart. These waves came over me, and over me, and over me, one after the other, until I recollect I cried out,”
—
1 likes
More quotes…
