Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners (Authentic Original Classic) [Paperback]

John Bunyan (Author)

Book Description

Series: Authentic Original Classic | Publication Date: November 1, 2007

For though, as yet, I was nothing but a poor painted hypocrite, yet I loved to be talked of as one that was truly godly. For many years, John like all Christians struggled with his sinful nature. In Grace Abounding, he honestly declares his shortcomings, and knows that he must overcome them to fulfill his destiny. But one morning, when I was again at prayer, and trembling under the fear of this, that no word of God could help me, that piece of a sentence darted in upon me, My grace is sufficient. Throughout John s life he realized how vulnerable he was, and how great God s grace is. First, I confessed I was fallen, but not fallen away.... Secondly, I confessed that I had put Jesus Christ to shame by my sin, but not to open shame.... Discover God s abounding grace for you through this classic work that has guided countless many over the past 300 years.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

From his conversion and through many trials and temptations, Bunyan reveals how the grace of the Lord was extended to him so that he learned to surrender all of self and rely totally
on Christ. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Before Pilgrim s Progress John Bunyan wrote Grace Abounding from his jail cell. John was not imprisoned for his youthful rebellion, but for preaching the gospel after he heard a word from God.

Product Details

• Paperback: 173 pages
• Publisher: Destiny Image; Special edition (November 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0768424577
• ISBN-13: 978-0768424577
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,210,178 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

83 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There's hope for you too in God's Abounding Grace, August 3, 2004

By 

Rachelle Ayala (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners: Or Brief Faithful Relation Exceeding Mercy God Christ his Poor Servant John (Penguin Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

A lot of us are familiar with John Bunyan as the author of The Pilgrim's Progress, whose influence in Christendom is second to the Bible. Bunyan was a preacher, a prolific writer and a shining saint for God. However when we read this book we find out that he was an atheist and infidel in his youth, enjoying sin and rebellious towards God. Inwardly he suffered from tormented nightmares of demons and judgment, but outwardly he went on pretty much as any other sinner, taking delight in sin and being the ringleader of mischief. Several times he nearly lost his life, and even though there were several close calls, still he did not turn to God. After his marriage, he participated in religious activities, went through the motions of attending church and generally lived as he pleased, each time successfully shrugging off pangs of guilt. One day, after church, while playing a sport, a voice seemed to call out to him from heaven to his soul, which said, "Wilt thou leave thy sins and go to heaven, or have thy sins and go to hell?" Bunyan was convinced it was the Lord Jesus looking down on him in displeasure. What follows details his sinking into despair, his desparate attempts at working his way into God's good graces, and his struggles with temptation and doubt. In a strange sort of way, it is comforting to read about Bunyan's struggles and identify with them because you can see how he turned out so greatly used by God. He rationalized, made excuses and tried every way to justify himself. Bunyan did not try to gloss over his motivations but gave an honest account of his struggles from avowed sinner, to religious hypocrite before he was finally converted. He describes in great detail his doubts and despair, his yearning to be converted to Jesus Christ, and then being assured of his salvation by reading the Bible and praying. Reading this book will help you realize how God's grace can abound and save even the most wretched of sinners and gives us abounding hope.

106 of 113 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bunyan, my brother, February 2, 2000

By 

"pegmarsh" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners: Or Brief Faithful Relation Exceeding Mercy God Christ his Poor Servant John (Penguin Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

John Bunyan's journey toward saving faith parallels my own more closely than any other fellow sinner's. When I first read his story, I grabbed a pen and filled the margins, and all the while my heart whispered, "Comrade!" At once, I was comforted by the realization that though Bunyan was long gone, there had been another human being who had known the same fearsome battles waged on our behalf by the God who never relinquishes what belongs to Him. Those years when I had felt strange and apart from other believers, suddenly became "safe" to recall. For anyone who is still holding on to the arrogant belief that a person chooses God, rather than the other way around, Bunyan's story is for you. It puts all arguments to rest, leaving only humility and worship in its wake.

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a fearsome existential battle in the heart of John Bunyan, February 7, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Grand Rapids, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners: Or Brief Faithful Relation Exceeding Mercy God Christ his Poor Servant John (Penguin Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

The Bible says "work out your salvation with fear and trembling for it is God that works in you..." This book describes the fearsome existential battle fought within the heart of John Bunyan as he worked out what it meant to be converted to Christianity. This book is not for the fearful or those who think the cost of discipleship is easy belief.