True Christianity (Complete Volumes I II III IV):

The Classics of Western Spirituality

by Johann Arndt, A.W. Boehm (Translation)

Christian Reader! That the holy Gospel is subjected, in our age, to a great and shameful abuse, is fully proved by the ungodly and impenitent life of those who loudly boast of Christ and of his word, while their unchristian life resembles that of persons who dwell in a land of heathens and not of Christians. Such an ungodly course of conduct furnished me with an occasion for writing this Treatise; it was my object to show to plain readers wherein true Christianity consists, namely, in the exhibition of a true, living, and active faith, which manifests itself in genuine godliness and the fruits of righteousness. I desired to show that we bear the name of Christians, not only because we ought to believe in Christ, but also because the name implies that we live in Christ, and that He lives in us. I further desired to show that true repentance proceeds from the inmost centre of the heart; that the heart, mind, and affections must be changed; that we must be conformed to Christ and His holy Gospel; and that we must be renewed by the word of God, and become new creatures. For even as every seed produces fruit of a like nature, so the word of God must daily produce in us new spiritual fruits. If we become new creatures by faith, we must live in accordance with our new birth. In a word, Adam must die, and Christ must live, in us. It is not sufficient to acquire a knowledge of the word of God; it is also our duty to obey it practically, with life and power.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Nonfiction, Religion, History

306 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1606

About the author

Johann Arndt (or Arnd), a German Lutheran theologian, wrote several influential books of devotional Christianity. Although reflective of the period of Lutheran Orthodoxy, he is seen as a forerunner of pietism, a movement within Lutheranism that gained strength in the late 17th century.

Reviews

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Johann Arndt was a great Lutheran thinker, who focuses specifically on the interior, mystical experience of Christianity. Ultimately his writings were influential amongst the Pietists and it is easy to see his inspiration in the writings of earlier Catholic mystics. His writings specifically put him at odds with Calvinists. In general, I found not much to be quotable in this book. It is good, without too much that is objectionable. There are a number of great leaps…one that stands out is his commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:4-7: “The tree of life stood in the middle of Paradise and bore fruit. If a man ate of this fruit, he would live forever as the Lord said in Genesis 3:22-23….Thus, God established int eh middle of Paradise the Christian Church, Christ Jesus, so that all the faithful might receive life and power from him.” I’m not sure I would make this strong of a statement, but I understand his point. In general, this is a good read for those interested in mysticism, especially of the Protestant variety.

See my other reviews here!

[Levi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only got around to book 1 but gotta move on now! Calling your book "True Christianity" and then bullying a bunch of "fake" Christians is truly a fantastic tactical move. 4 stars!

[Glenn Crouch · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the lecturers from Australian Lutheran College recommended I try Arndt after I had found the 2nd volume of Gerhard a bit difficult (really enjoyed the 1st volume). Arndt is a Lutheran from the same time period as Gerhard, but not from the Scholastic side of things - rather he is sometimes considered the father of Lutheran Piety. So, yes indeed, this was a far different experience to that of Gerhard :)

First, I would say that the translation is one that is easy to read - and encourages me to read more of the volumes I have in this series.

I really enjoyed this book to start with, but as I went further into it I did start to find it too legalistic. Now I do believe that Arndt is basing his argument on the Christian Life - ie the Christian who has been saved by faith alone, through grace alone in Christ alone. He is not advocating a salvation of works, but it does seem that he is coming pretty close to a sanctification by works. I have found this difficulty at times with works strong in piety. I start with being challenged and encouraged, but through the repetition it starts to feel more like a beating leading to being discouraged...

Anyway it is fascinating to read both Gerhard and Arndt - writing in the Century following Luther - and in neither extreme do we seem to have Luther anymore... However, perhaps it is good that both extremes were there to help balance one another...

[Dan Glover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good work of Protestant spiritual formation. True Christianity is not merely correct doctrine but living, experiential, applied faith which strives to put to death selfish, worldly, and satanic desires and aspirations and seeks to know God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, through firm trust and active obedience; in all things imitating Christ, walking by the strength of the Spirit, loving others, all for the Father's glory.

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE CLASSIC WORK OF THE "SECOND LUTHER"

Johann Arndt (1555-1621) was a German Lutheran theologian and mystic; Albert Schweitzer called him the "prophet of interior Protestantism." His mysticism got him in trouble with the Calvinistic orthodoxy, and he was deposed as pastor.

The Preface to this 1979 edition states that Arndt "is waging a war on two fronts: on one front, against the noticeable decay of a self-conscious Christian society held in suspense... and on the other front, against the disputations of an orthodoxy so concerned to protect its purity that the experience of faith and the living signs of the imitation of Christ... had become at least suspect and at most relegated to a place of secondary importance."

He begins by stating, "Many think that theology is a mere science, or rhetoric, whereas it is a living experience and practice. Everyone now endeavors to be eminent and distinguished in the world, but no one is willing to learn to be pious." (Pg. 21) He says that "The person who has died to himself can easily die to the world. To die to the world means not to love the world or anything that is in the world as 1 John (2:15) states." (Pg. 76)

He asserts that "True Christianity consists only in pure faith, and a holy life." (Pg. 104) He advises that the giving of alms without love "is useless as is the hypocritical practice of fasting and chastisement of the body. Examples of this abound among the heathen and the Papists." (Pg. 154) Later, he laments, "Much has been written, disputed, and argued concerning Christian doctrine but little concerning Christian life." (Pg. 276)

He argues that "Perfection is not, as some think, a high, great, spiritual, heavenly joy and meditation, but it is a denial of one's own will, love, honor, a knowledge of one's nothingness, a continual completion of the will of God, a burning love for neighbor, a heart-held compassion, and, in a word, a love that desires, thinks, and seeks nothing other than God alone..." (Pg. 224)

This early work of the Reformation is a true gem, particularly when contrasted to the dour Calvinism of Arndt's day.

[Philip Norton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This edition of Arndt is quite incomplete, translating only the first book in full. With that said, the content of the first book is an engaging— and challenging— study of the third use of the Law in the Christian life. The mystical piety of the book cannot be separated from Arndt's rootedness in justification by faith and the means of grace, but it is not afraid to tread territory that modern Lutherans have long since abandoned out of fear of legalism (so-called).

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

In many respects it could have been written yesterday! The same problems of the church continue to plague us as they did in the time of this founding father of the Pietists in Europe after the Thirty Years War.

[Alex Strohschein · Rating 4 out of 5]

"True Christianity" is a wonderful of devotion and early Protestant mysticism. Many have referred to this book as "the Protestant equivalent of 'The Imitation of Christ'" and the comparison is warranted (although this book is substantially longer). Both books are divided into four sections (whereas Thomas a Kempis' last book is dedicated to eucharistic mysticism, the last section in "True Christianity" deals with Creation as a testament to the glory of God). This is a spiritual classic that is well worth the read for Christians of any tradition!

[Bob Buehler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread this great work which remains on my shelves since seminary days. It affirms much of what I still preach: the inseparability of love of God and love of neighbor, the importance of the interior life, the proper interpretation of scripture as illustration of the struggle within each person, and more. I still recommend it.

[Thomas Arn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very excellent book describing the love of God for mankind. He shows how terrible man really is and yet how much God really loves man. He also goes into great detail on how to show love for God in practical ways. Even though this was written over 200 years ago it is still applicable to everyone today.

[Selvaraj]

Jacob