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Grace Abounding: With Other Spiritual Autobiographies (Oxford English Texts)
Grace Abounding (1666) is a classic work of spiritual autobiography--a genre which flourished in Calvinist England as anxiety over the state or destiny of one's soul led to rigorous self-scrutiny and the sharing of holy experiences. This edition sets that book alongside other highly interesting and varied contemporary spiritual autobiographies, making its cultural milieu m
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Paperback
,
279 pages
Published
December 1st 2008
by Oxford University Press, USA
(first published 1666)
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If you pick up and read this book, one of two things will happen. You will get 15 pages in and decide its not for you, or you will carry on reading and find yourself amazed at the journey God brought this poor tinker through. I found myself at first thinking something was clinically wrong with Bunyan (and maybe there was), but the more I read I wondered if there wasn't something wrong with me. Sure, one mans conversion cannot truly be poorer than another's from Heavens perspective. However, to w
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at a time when I didn't think that christians could have a thought life as crazy as mine, this book was a great comfort to me.
john bunyan and charles spurgeon were probably a couple of the greatest preachers of GRACE and comforters of the conscience in this last 500 yeras.
john bunyan and charles spurgeon were probably a couple of the greatest preachers of GRACE and comforters of the conscience in this last 500 yeras.
John Bunyan was a non-conformist English pastor who lived from 1628-1688. During his years of ministry, he spent approximately 14 years in prison for preaching without a legal license as required by England at the time. Bunyan’s best known work is certainly The Pilgrim’s Progress, a book that I feel every Christian should read. Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners is Bunyan’s autobiographical account, which he wrote in 1666 while in prison primarily for the benefit of the people under his min
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Feb 07, 2015
Valerie Kyriosity
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
audiobooks
Poor Brother John! What self-tortures he put himself through rather than simply believing. I can sympathize, being prone to the same sort of overthinking and navel-gazing, myself, but I confess that I laughed at him a few times. Even he called his thoughts foolish at one point, though I don't know as he ever learned to laugh at them. I listened to this right after I listened to John Piper's biography of William Cowper. Sadly, Cowper never got the better of his doubts, and died in despair. Piper
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What a precious book to me. Very relieving and comforting to know that there are people in time past that have gone through similar, if not, the same conflict of the soul as I have encounter in my spiritual life. although it was kind of hard for me to read due to the old English language, i could still understand what was expressed by John Bunyan. looking forward to buying this book in 21st century language so that i can read it better. What a blessing of a book.
The author of Pilgrims Progress invites us into his own heart - his very disturbing struggle of faith - for many years he had symptoms of what we today would call OCD - Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - thoughts that almost drove him mad. Blasphemous thoughts.
I was surprised reading this account of the violence of his inner turmoil. Yet, how determined he was to reach that state of resting in Gods grace. And he did. How different our individual experience of God.
I was surprised reading this account of the violence of his inner turmoil. Yet, how determined he was to reach that state of resting in Gods grace. And he did. How different our individual experience of God.
One of the best books I've ever read. It's probably not for everyone but I think it is certainly for those that have an understanding of the ever present battle in a Christian's life in wrestling with angst and fears. If those with OCD can read it without starting to worry about the same things (such as the Bible verses and thoughts) he was worried about then I certainly recommend this book for them too. I think it will help people with OCD see that they are not alone in their thoughts and fears
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" But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.", says Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 15:10). What more shall I say, that this book already does not address? 1 Corinthians ch15 v10 is, I believe the perfect passage that depicts the central theme of one of Bunyan's greatest achievements. "Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners" is a chilling, heartfelt, soul-searching autobiography of 17th Century English Pastor John Bunyan. Bun
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For those of us who think we are beyond the Gospel of God's grace - check out this book! It is not an easy read for the fact that it deals with weighty issues as well as being written in an antiquated style unlike how we speak today.
However, I did manage to read through it and was humbled at the faith and works of this sinner saved by grace. I had never realized how much John Bunyan suffered for the sake of the Cross by preaching a true gospel counter to the preaching of his day in 17th century ...more
However, I did manage to read through it and was humbled at the faith and works of this sinner saved by grace. I had never realized how much John Bunyan suffered for the sake of the Cross by preaching a true gospel counter to the preaching of his day in 17th century ...more
Nov 26, 2013
Matthew Grotheer
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
reformed-classics
Having read Grace Abounding by John Bunyan, I very helped spiritually reading the short story of a man who faced ongoing spiritual struggles as he wrestled through assurance as to whether or not he truly belonged to Christ. I was particularly struck at the honesty and openness with which Bunyan described his particular, ongoing struggles to be convinced in his own mind and have assurance that he was a son of God and had received forgiveness through Christ. In the end, this book is a quick short
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I read the edition contained in The Works of John Bunyan. Amazing to read the experience of the man who wrote Pilgrim's Progress. Probably the best jail sentence to ever serve humanity, next to Paul and Joseph.
One of my favorite books of all time. This book provides incredible insight into how the devil can work our own minds against us and how God's grace continually prevails.
It's a 3.5 for me. I was not able to appreciate his very repetitive and thoroughly intense writing style and yet I marvel at the God who kept him throughout his faith-struggling journey. Here's a few application gems I picked up from this book:
- Be graciously patient with new believers. Especially those who continually doubt their assurance, seem to loathe in self-pity, and fall in the very same temptations for years. Honestly, if you struggle in being patient like I do, just reading this book i ...more
- Be graciously patient with new believers. Especially those who continually doubt their assurance, seem to loathe in self-pity, and fall in the very same temptations for years. Honestly, if you struggle in being patient like I do, just reading this book i ...more
The book of man who was vexed by his sin to the degree that he found great hope in the gospel. A untrained brilliant man in regards to the doctrines of God. It was like a spiritual rollercoaster. The fear of selling Jesus as Esau did is present. People do not write or talk like this today. Perhaps we should pray that they did. This book challenged me to take my life and sin very seriously. Thank you Jesus, for working your grace through the man John Bunyan.
If ever someone poured out their soul in a book this is it. Bunyan refused to cease from preaching the gospel. For that he found himself in prison for many years. His wife and children (including one blind daughter) were left alone for well over a decade. Bunyan suffered much, but remained faithful to the Word.
As I read Bunyan struggling with and hating his sin, I had to wonder why my hatred of sin isn't as great.
As I read Bunyan struggling with and hating his sin, I had to wonder why my hatred of sin isn't as great.
This book was at the same time very depressing and very comforting. What agonizing torments did John Bunyan subject himself to, doubting for such a great time the miracle of his salvation because he had such a hard time believing in the all-encompassing gift of God's grace. And what comfort I did realize from reading about those struggles from such a servant of God. This book has impacted me more positively than a hundred books relating "How much the Lord has blessed me since I have completely s
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I suspect that this book will mean much to but a few people. A spiritual autobiography, Bunyan is tormented by his thoughts and by Scripture itself. For those who have OCD tendencies, as Bunyan seems to have had, it is 1) comforting to read an account of someone who has had similar struggles and 2) enlightening to journey with him from sensory dependence to reliance on Scripture.
Indeed, on page 24 Bunyan says, "All my sense and feeling were against me...". Sentiments such as these very much char ...more
Indeed, on page 24 Bunyan says, "All my sense and feeling were against me...". Sentiments such as these very much char ...more
I really enjoyed this book that covered John Bunyan's life. When you read it you must put yourself into the shoes of the person described and then you will find that the thoughts of this person would probably be the same thoughts of ourselves in salvation, Christian growing, imprisonment, and preaching.
This is an amazing auto-biographical book that documents the deep spiritual struggles of John Bunyan as God was creating the humble man who would write the "The Pilgrim's Progress". If you are struggling spiritually and are much depressed, read this book. I was much comforted by it.
I received this audiobook for the purpose of writing a review.
Narrator Thoughts: His voice was perfect for this role. Steady, yet full of emotion. As I listen he made the book come to life. Almost as if the real John Bunyan had invited me into his living room and was sharing this with me. I enjoyed it very much.
Book Thoughts: This was such an encouraging book for me. I've struggled with doubts of my salvation and fears about being close to God. To know that even those that are considered leade ...more
Narrator Thoughts: His voice was perfect for this role. Steady, yet full of emotion. As I listen he made the book come to life. Almost as if the real John Bunyan had invited me into his living room and was sharing this with me. I enjoyed it very much.
Book Thoughts: This was such an encouraging book for me. I've struggled with doubts of my salvation and fears about being close to God. To know that even those that are considered leade ...more
Grace Abounding....is an excellent autobiography of John Bunyan and his spiritual struggle to obtain assurance of his salvation in light if his thinking that he had committed the unpardonable sin. Amazing book and highly recommended.
enjoyed it very much. a man's tense struggle with himself and the devil. it was, as if, the human end of the Screwtape Letters, where John Bunyan is the tempted and the afflicted.
May 02, 2015
Jeff Beland
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
christian-thought-theology-confessi
An awesome story of a mans pilgrimage to faith in Christ. What's the best part of this book tou ask? Th as t would be the day that I was at work reading this little book on my break when the Wiccan social worker & my flamboyant homosexual coworker came into the break room laughing & joking with each other. The Wiccan asked me what I was reading. I told her, they both stopped walking, glared at me & she said, "You don't actually enjoy reading that kind of thing, do you?". I just smile
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This book, as expected, was difficult to read due to the fact that it was written hundreds of years ago. Frankly, I was a little disappointed since my impression had been that Bunyan was a "saint" of sorts and a deep thinker. His spiritual journey, as recounted in this book, seemed to me unnecessarily hard. The title suggested that the book was about grace, so I expected to see some tips about accepting God's grace; but it seemed he was unable or unwilling through most of his life to accept that
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My life story.
My Bible study group is currently reading 'Pilgrim's Progress' so this book was helpful in giving autobiographical info on Bunyan's life. While in prison Bunyan uses his time writing "for the benefit of his fellow Christians." Bunyan was the son of a travelling tinker, probably a gypsy. He led a rather 'wild' life until his marriage. His wife had two Christian books that had been her fathers. Bunyan and his wife read those books "somwhat pleasing." My favorite part of the book was the influence
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The latter part of the book, about Bunyan's submission to imprisonment for preaching the gospel, is encouraging. However, the majority of the book relates to his ongoing struggles with doubts about his salvation. This is one of the main reasons I questioned the Calvinist view on perseverance, which says that, by sinning or falling away, you can show that you were never saved in the first place. In this view, a Christian might live in a constant state of fear, and have no scriptural promise to as
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When you hear the word "Puritan", what do you think about? Black clothes, Legalism, or crabby ol' men?
If this is what comes to mind, you have never read the Puritans. Instead of learning from the original sources, we normally get our information second hand. That is why the Puritans have such a bad rap. Most people who teach those things about them have never read them.
Far from our caricature of the puritans, they were warm, compassionate, and above all passionate for the Lord. John Bunyan is no ...more
If this is what comes to mind, you have never read the Puritans. Instead of learning from the original sources, we normally get our information second hand. That is why the Puritans have such a bad rap. Most people who teach those things about them have never read them.
Far from our caricature of the puritans, they were warm, compassionate, and above all passionate for the Lord. John Bunyan is no ...more
A roller-coaster of belief and doubt surges through this fascinating little work. The book serves as a unique spiritual and autobiographical window into the soul of one of history's most fascinating saints. Throughout the work, Bunyan shows the reader how a little doubt, once entertained, will drag the believer into a spiral of unbelief. Bunyan's doubt came from brash comments and thoughts (finding their source in a life of profanity prior to coming to Christ), and the seed, once planted, grew i
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If you can get past ye Olde Englifh, you can find a fantastic similarity between Bunyan's opinion of Christianity and contemporary thought (that is, before encountering grace). I related to much of what Bunyan encountered in his soul and in his mind. I continually found myself marveling at how not much has changed in 400 years about 1) what people think about Jesus and 2) how Jesus calls people home. It is very difficult to read because of the nature of the language, and at times the woe seemed
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| Well Trained Mind...: Biography #6 Grace Abounding | 13 | 11 | May 11, 2015 04:48PM |
John Bunyan, a Christian writer and preacher, was born at Harrowden (one mile south-east of Bedford), in the Parish of Elstow, England. He wrote The Pilgrim's Progress, arguably the most famous published Christian allegory. In the Church of England he is remembered with a Lesser Festival on 30 August.
More about John Bunyan...
“...Great sins do draw out great grace; and where guilt is most terrible and fierce, there the mercy of God in Christ, when showed to the soul, appears most high and mighty...”
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“...I am for going on, and venturing my eternal state with Christ, whether I have comfort here or no; if God doth not come in, thought I, I will leap off the ladder even blindfold into eternity, sink or swim, come heaven, come hell; Lord Jesus, if thou wilt catch me, do; if not, I will venture for thy name.”
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