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The Way to True Happiness
Ralph Venning (1621-74) here proposes that true happiness is only to be found in understanding and doing the will of God. Venning was admired not only for his preaching but also for the consistency of his life. This, together with his powerful calls to a pleasure-obsessed world to seek happiness only where it may be found, are perhaps the reasons why his writings continue to speak so powerfully to us today.
87 pages, Paperback
First published August 14, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 3, 2025
I loved a lot of Venning's statements throughout this Puritan paperback. And many of them were scriptural and powerful.
However, I do believe he blurred the line between salvation & works (or at least it came across that way). I get what he was trying to do. It's just that we need to be quite clear when describing the relationship between salvation and works that works are but a by-product, the fruit of one's salvation. In my opinion, one cannot be too careful in this regard.
However, I do believe he blurred the line between salvation & works (or at least it came across that way). I get what he was trying to do. It's just that we need to be quite clear when describing the relationship between salvation and works that works are but a by-product, the fruit of one's salvation. In my opinion, one cannot be too careful in this regard.
May 12, 2021
Excellent survey on the need for true happiness that is found only in Jesus Christ. Written by English Puritan Ralph Venning (1621-1674), it reads like it was written for our present generation. For those who make their personal opinion the center of their reality, Venning warns: "My beloved, let me beg you for your precious and immortal soul's sake, not to dally with God...opinions will not pass for true religion in the day of judgement" (p. 73).
I appreciated his reminder--perhaps humor--as he speaks to those who complain of lengthy sermons: "I come now to the Application and here there are three words or headings that I have to speak on. And, by the way, having spoken of three words let me address an unjust blame often laid on ministers for saying they have 'but a word or two more.' A 'word' in Scripture often means a heading or topic--The Ten Commandments are themselves called ten 'words:' 'God spoke these ten words, saying...' They are more than ten words and rather ten headings. Therefore let no one be foolish, laughing at the ministers who say, 'just a word more,' though they go on to speak longer!" (pp. 42-43).
I highly recommend this journeying after "the way to true happiness!"
I appreciated his reminder--perhaps humor--as he speaks to those who complain of lengthy sermons: "I come now to the Application and here there are three words or headings that I have to speak on. And, by the way, having spoken of three words let me address an unjust blame often laid on ministers for saying they have 'but a word or two more.' A 'word' in Scripture often means a heading or topic--The Ten Commandments are themselves called ten 'words:' 'God spoke these ten words, saying...' They are more than ten words and rather ten headings. Therefore let no one be foolish, laughing at the ministers who say, 'just a word more,' though they go on to speak longer!" (pp. 42-43).
I highly recommend this journeying after "the way to true happiness!"
January 30, 2023
"Success is to get whatever you want, and happiness is to love whatever you got."
Salah satu kutipan dari buku ini yang memaknai arti kebahagiaan yang sebenarnya, seperti sebuah seni untuk mencintai apapun yang telah kita dapatkan dalam hidup. Banyak orang yg merasa kurang bahagia karena melihat hidup dari sudut pandang yang terbatas, dalam buku ini membahas the way to happiness atau jalan menuju kebahagiaan dengan pintu didepannya, yang jika kita berhasil membuka pintu2 ini adalah awal dari segala kebahagiaan kita yang kunci nya ada didalam diri kita, seperti memaafkan (forgiveness), menerima (acceptance), dan bersyukur.
Kebahagiaan bukanlah hanya hilangnya suatu rasa sakit, tapi juga kemampuan kita untuk belajar dari rasa sakit itu.
"Happiness is jot just the absence of pain. Its also the capacity to learn from your pain."
Buku yang memberikan inspirasi, menarik dan penuh makna. Nice One ^_^
Salah satu kutipan dari buku ini yang memaknai arti kebahagiaan yang sebenarnya, seperti sebuah seni untuk mencintai apapun yang telah kita dapatkan dalam hidup. Banyak orang yg merasa kurang bahagia karena melihat hidup dari sudut pandang yang terbatas, dalam buku ini membahas the way to happiness atau jalan menuju kebahagiaan dengan pintu didepannya, yang jika kita berhasil membuka pintu2 ini adalah awal dari segala kebahagiaan kita yang kunci nya ada didalam diri kita, seperti memaafkan (forgiveness), menerima (acceptance), dan bersyukur.
Kebahagiaan bukanlah hanya hilangnya suatu rasa sakit, tapi juga kemampuan kita untuk belajar dari rasa sakit itu.
"Happiness is jot just the absence of pain. Its also the capacity to learn from your pain."
Buku yang memberikan inspirasi, menarik dan penuh makna. Nice One ^_^
March 24, 2023
Buku ini sangat bagus untuk dibaca. Bukunya menarik dan menceritakan kehidupan nyata.
HAPPINESS.
Salah satu kutipan dari buku ini yang memaknai arti kebahagiaan yang sebenarnya, seperti sebuah seni untuk mencintai apapun yang telah kita dapatkan dalam hidup. Banyak orang yg merasa kurang bahagia karena melihat hidup dari sudut pandang yang terbatas, dalam buku ini membahas the way to happiness atau jalan menuju kebahagiaan dengan pintu didepannya, yang jika kita berhasil membuka pintu2 ini adalah awal dari segala kebahagiaan kita yang kunci nya ada didalam diri kita, seperti memaafkan , menerima, dan bersyukur.
Kebahagiaan bukanlah hanya hilangnya suatu rasa sakit, tapi juga kemampuan kita untuk belajar dari rasa sakit itu.
Buku yang memberikan inspirasi, menarik dan penuh makna.
HAPPINESS.
Salah satu kutipan dari buku ini yang memaknai arti kebahagiaan yang sebenarnya, seperti sebuah seni untuk mencintai apapun yang telah kita dapatkan dalam hidup. Banyak orang yg merasa kurang bahagia karena melihat hidup dari sudut pandang yang terbatas, dalam buku ini membahas the way to happiness atau jalan menuju kebahagiaan dengan pintu didepannya, yang jika kita berhasil membuka pintu2 ini adalah awal dari segala kebahagiaan kita yang kunci nya ada didalam diri kita, seperti memaafkan , menerima, dan bersyukur.
Kebahagiaan bukanlah hanya hilangnya suatu rasa sakit, tapi juga kemampuan kita untuk belajar dari rasa sakit itu.
Buku yang memberikan inspirasi, menarik dan penuh makna.
January 22, 2024
Holistic.
July 7, 2015
True happiness is not found in material goods or earthly comforts, but in fellowship with Jesus Christ and obedience to Him. That is what Venning argues in this sermon, as he points out that it’s knowing and doing the will of God that brings happiness both in the present age and for eternity. This entry into the Pocket Puritans series lacks the punch of some earlier editions, though Venning makes some profound statements that will linger.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews