Finney's Systematic Theology

by Charles Grandison Finney, Louis Gifford Parkhurst Jr., Bill Nicely

True to Scripture, true to reason, and true to life.Discover why these writings have been the impetus for revivals around the world.Students of revival agree that Charles Grandison Finney spearheaded one of America's greatest revivals and influenced the course of history. Church rolls swelled in the wake of Finney's revivals. He is often directly or indirectly credited with the conversions of around 500,000 people.Finney's theological convictions were born in the fires of revival and shaped by a keen lawyer's mind committed to the full authority of the Bible. He gave his life to promote: "The return to and practice of Biblical Christianity in the power of the Holy Spirit for the sake of God's kingdom and glory." The distinctive truths that Finney preached brought such a deep conviction of sin that today's church does well when it studies his position on the moral government of God, the nature of man, the atonement, sovereignty, attributes of love, unity of moral action and regeneration.This expanded volume represents the complete 1878 edition, two lectures of truth from the earlier 1847 and 1851 editions, a comprehensive introduction from L.G. Parkhurst, Jr., plus appendixes, a glossary, and a scripture index.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Church History

634 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1851

About the author

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 his great-grandson, Charles G. Finney (1905-1984).

Reviews

[Brian Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The greatest fault of this book is that it seriously opposes ‘orthodox’ Christian theology; its most commendable strength is the same.
I found this book years ago while on a search for a coherent explanation of Christian beliefs. Now more than 20 years later, having studied much on other systems, I‘ve gone back many times to re-read it to see if it still seems credible to me; and I still find this to be one of the more thoughtful systems of theology that I’ve studied. After reading this book I was struck by how broad and strong of a base in reality is available for the gospel; and the many unrealistic theories so commonly used to support the gospel became demonstrably unnecessary. Yes, this book is unpopular, unorthodox, and heavily repudiated, but that says less about the validity of thought within it than it says about the discomfort it gives to the ‘orthodoxy’ it aimed to counter. (That ‘orthodoxy’ being deterministic theology i.e. Augustinianism, Calvinism, today’s Reformed Theology, or systems such as held by Moo, Grudem, Piper, Sproul, etc)
This book is well-written and extremely orderly. It does require intense focus because, as the author states in the preface, it is not designed to merely answer questions but to urge one to think deeply for oneself. This is one of the things I appreciate about this book: I find that the concepts are approached at such a root level that one can easily use them in thinking out questions on a great many other subjects. (By root level I don’t mean elementary but that care is taken to ensure that concepts are first understood philosophically and ontologically. For example in discussing moral obligation much time is spent inquiring into what ‘oughtness’ is and what is necessary for it to be perceived.) The lecture on the Foundation of Moral Obligation has equipped my understanding in more ways than I’d have space to mention. In that same vein, I think that one of the outstanding and often overlooked strengths of Finney’s system is the axiological clarity that holds it together.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in thinking through the questions of theology, especially without the lens of theological determinism.

[Andy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Neither systematic nor theology. Don't waste your time unless you want to read the theology Pelagius never wrote.

[Rosezella · Rating 1 out of 5]

Finney was a laywer. He explains what other preachers preach. People will get to know God if you 1. pray, 2. know him and are willing to tell them about what you have experienced, and not just what you think you know.

[Bob Ladwig · Rating 1 out of 5]

The guy is a full blown pelagian, what can you say.

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE MAJOR WORK OF AN IMPORTANT 19TH CENTURY RELIGIOUS FIGURE

Charles Grandison Finney (1792-1875) known as "America's Greatest Revivalist" was a Presbyterian and Congregationalist preacher, as well as a key figure in the second "Great Awakening." Rather than a traditional division into Theology, Anthropology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, etc., Finney gives 36 lectures on various topics, such as "Moral Government"; "Moral Depravity"; "Objections to sanctification"; "Election"; "Reprobation"; "Perseverance of the Saints," etc.

He states in the Preface, "In this work I have endeavored to define the terms used by Christian divines, and the doctrines of Christianity, as I understand them, and to push to their logical consequences the cardinal admissions of the more recent and standard theological writers. Especially do I urge... that the will is free, and that sin and holiness are voluntary acts of mind. I will not presume that I have satisfied others upon the points I have discussed, but I have succeeded at least in satisfying myself."

He asks, "Objection: Can a man be born again, and then unborn? I answer, If there were anything impossible in this, then perseverance would be no virtue." (pg. 117) He then adds, "if real Christians do backslide, they lose for the time being their evidence of acceptance with God; and withal they know that in their present state they cannot be saved." (Pg. 543)

He goes on, "Some may ask, Why does God use means with the non-elect, which He is certain they will not accept? I answer, because He designs that they shall be without excuse." (pg. 461) He asserts, "He created (the reprobate), not for their sin and destruction as an ultimate end, but for another and a good end, notwithstanding His foreknowledge of their sin and ultimate ruin." (pg. 475)

Famously, he concludes that "No human constitution or enactment can, by any possibility, be law, that recognizes the right of one human being to enslave another.... Is it, therefore, always and unalterably wrong." (Pg. 241) He insists, "The saint is not merely sometimes a reformer; he is always so." (Pg. 297)

This is an excellent summation of Finney's theological opinions.

[Carl Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a true systematic theology book but a collection of essays. But as a fan of Finney, its a yes for me.

[G Walker · Rating 1 out of 5]

My particular copy is serves quite well for kindling. Seriously though, while this book is schismatic and often times flirts with heresy (regardless of whether you are protestant or not) - there are few better places to turn than to Finney if you want to understand revivalism, individualism or the overall current climate of evangelical theology.

[Dan Glover · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not biblical or orthodox. Elevates a cosmic law above all things in the universe, including the creator of the universe. God is not the ultimate, universal law is and before that law, God is a subject along with all his creatures.

[Fred · Rating 3 out of 5]

Straightforward religion. Finney lays out a clear cut view of Christianity without all the incest, necromancy, drunkeness, filicide and whoremongering that one would encounter in the real Bible.

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finney all day every day.