Christian Perfection: Devotional Reflections on the Christian Life (Classics of Devotion Series)

by François Fénelon

English, French (translation)

Genres: Christian, Christian Living

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1947

About the author

François de Salignac de la Mothe-Fénelon, a Roman Catholic theologian and poet, wrote in France. He today is remembered mostly as one of the main advocates of quietism and as the author of The Adventures of Telemachus, a scabrous attack on the French monarchy, first published in 1699.

Reviews

[Jeremiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first heard about this book as a recommendation from A.W. Tozer, and it did not disappoint. It is out of print, so it isn't easy to find but it's worth the effort tracking it down. Fenelon just really understood the heart of God and how to bear down on the walk with the Lord; as well as how to make our daily hours a living sacrifice of joy. There are very few books today that even get close to this kind of life that Fenelon was after. This book is similar to The Imitation of Christ, though the chapters are longer and don't read as much like devotional nuggets as A'Kempis.

[MaKenzie Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up to 4.

I enjoyed the style of the book and the chapters split into essay like pieces.

Deep truths here but surrounded by older schools of thought made it much like chewing up the meat and spitting out the bones. There was much to glean and learn, you just need to be patient enough to find it.

[Johnny McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard of this book through the writings of A.W. Tozer. It was hard to find but well worth the effort. This is one that I will read again and would recommend for others to read.

[Ben Fredrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has incredible value for Christians. Here are some quotes:


"...a persuaded mind and even a well intentioned heart is a long way from exact and faithful practice."

"The wise and diligent traveller watches his every step, and always has his eyes upon the part of the road directly in front of him. But he does not turn constantly backward to count every step, and to examine every track. He would lose time in going forward...It takes a continual attention to God's will to accomplish this every moment, and not a turning back upon self to assure ourselves of our condition..."

"...in temptations I only know of two things to do. The first is to be faithful to the light within so that we can cut off, with no quarter and no delay, all that we are at liberty to cut off, and that can feed or reawaken the temptation...The second rule is to be turned to God's side in the temptation, without being upset, without worrying as to whether or not we have given a half-consent to it, and without letting it block our direct approach to God..."

"We cannot love God without works, because charity is not idle."

"All religion consists only in leaving self and its love of self, to reach toward God."

"A tender father does not always think distinctly of his son. A thousand objects take away his imagination and his mind. But these distinctions never interrupt his paternal love. Whenever his son returns to his mind, he loves him, and he feels in the depths of his heart that he has not stopped loving him for a single moment, although he stopped thinking of him. Such should be our love for our heavenly father, a simple love, without suspicion and without uneasiness."

"Before God, monstrous crimes, committed by weakness, by passion or by ignorance, are less crimes than are the virtues which a soul full of itself practices in order to relate everything to its own excellence, as though it alone were divine. For that is the total reversal of God's whole design for creation."

"It is devotion mixed with self-love which infects us. It is that which scandalizes society, and which even God vomits."

"Even your strong feeling about the faults of others is a great fault. This disdain of the wretchedness of others is wretchedness which does not recognize itself enough. It is an arrogance..."

"The more perfect we are, the more get along with imperfection. The Pharisees could not bear the publicans and the women sinners, whom Jesus Christ treated with such gentleness and kindness...Whoever is no longer out for himself, is, in God, all out for his neighbor."

"To want all that God wants, always to want it, for all occasions and without reservations, this is the kingdom of God which is all within."

"The vigilance which Jesus Christ commands is a faithful attention always to love and do the will of God in the present moment."

"O, how rare it is that the soul is sufficiently stilled to let God speak!"

"The way to renounce evil this is to reject them with horror, and the way to renounce good things is to use them only moderately, as needed, trying to cut down all the imaginary needs with which greedy natures tries to flatter us."

[Diana Yeager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the style of Fenelon's writing of this book, which should be read by all serious students of the Bible and Christian Living. Is on my list to read again!

[Paul H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just merciless -- feeling personally attacked and called out for 200 pages straight lol (in a good way). Basically the book equivalent of attending a few dozen of the best homilies ever.

[Bob Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little gem was a treasure. I picked this up for free on the shelf of a local shelter. I love the Christian quietists and especially Fenelon so I was already excited to read it. It's actually a devotional collection of his works on the Christian Life. What an awesome read! I read it prayerfully like the book said and I was not disappointed. There was so much insight and wisdom gained. If you can find a copy, pick it up!