Customer Reviews

The Christian in Complete Armour, Vol. 2

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Someone once said that if they were stranded on a desert island with a choice of only two books, they would be the Bible and Gurnall's "Complete Armour," hands down I would concur, only to the point that after having the time to read, digest and perhaps memorize both, I would pray for rescue, so I could then share with the world the living water which flows from these written sources!

Of course, Gurnall is not Scripture. But he so deftly defines and expounds on the Scripture passages of Eph 6 using Scripture, that this book is extremely helpful in understanding Paul's vision from God regarding Eph 6!

Nearly every page has a quote you will long to write in the margins of your Bible. The problem is, many of the quotes refer to multiple Scripture passages. An example is this quote, "Were there no devils, you would still have your hands full resisting the corruption of your own heart." That quote could find proof texting in Jer 17:9, Eccl 9:3, Matt 13:15 AND Mark 7:21-22!

This is a book that will very likely change your world-view. Read this book, and follow it up with Lloyd-Jones' "I Am Not Ashamed." You will never be the same.

Christian in Complete Armour, The, (vol. 1, a modernized abridgement), by William Gurnall - Banner of Truth 1986 ISBN 0851514561
This book was originally written in three volumes between 1655 and 1662. It appears that in his time, William Gurnall was looked on as somewhat of a maverick and not accepted well by his peers. The reason for this was that although Gurnall was a Puritan preacher, he did not secede from the Church of England with the majority of Puritan preachers after the English Civil War and the "great dividing of the Church". Rather he chose to remain a part of the Church of England while still maintaining his Puritan views. Thus it was that neither side of the divided church accepted him as their own. Soon after his death however, many on both sides came to find unparalleled depth and insight in his work. Charles Spurgeon, the great English preacher and evangelist of the last century commented that Gurnall's work is "peerless and priceless; every line full of wisdom". John Newton, converted slave trader and author of "Amazing Grace", said: "If I might read only one book beside the Bible I would choose, "The Christian in Complete Armour." Dave Wilkerson said concerning this book: "Leonard Ravenhill, a very godly friend, gave me a copy of 'The Christian in Complete Armour' with these solemn words, "This book is going to revolutionize your life. It has had a profound effect on my life, and I believe you are prepared to receive its message now." Says Wilkerson: "at first I put the book aside; it was too long, too wordy, and written in 17th century English. Out of curiosity, I later scanned the first 25 pages. That is all it took to bring me to my knees. Gurnall, the pious puritan, had touched something deep within me. His were such probing, scorching, searing words that they shook my inner man. I devoured the book with great zeal." Later Wilkerson went on to say: "I will forever bless the day it was placed in my hands." This book, now in modern English, is a treasure, and to those who are serious Christians and consider themselves mature in the faith, we at "The Christian Home Shopper", highly recommend and endorse this book.

Christian in Complete Armour, The, (vol. 2, a modernized abridgement), by William Gurnall - Banner of Truth 08515150
See Christian in Complete Armour (vol. 1) for descriptive information.
Christian in Complete Armour, The, (modern abridgement one volume edition), by William Gurnall - Soverign Grace Trust Fund Publishing 1989 hardbound
After the Bible The Christian in Complete Armour is truly one of the greatest Christian books in print.

I have never read any work penned by the hand of man that has had a more profound impact on my life, my thoughts, my actions, my deeds, and my spirituality as William Gurnall's The Christian in Complete Armour.

Aside from the fact that he was educated at Cambridge University and pastored a church in Lavenham, England for approximately thirty-five years, we know very little of the man. Yet I cannot but believe, with firm conviction, that Almighty God guided the hand of Gurnall as he poured forth one of the greatest theological treatises of all time.

It is beyond the scope of my mental faculties, which include both reason and imagination, to conceive of that man, Christian that he may indeed be, who is capable of reading this monumental work without repeatedly falling to his knees until unable to arise, and begging the mercy and forgiveness of his Lord, his God, his Savior. It is not a volume to be read and laid aside, but an unending source of illumination, conviction, exhortation, and exposition.

In order to truly benefit from Gurnall's obvious work of love, one must be ever in prayer and deepest meditation. Be forewarned that The Christian in Complete Armour is, in the truest sense, a journey to the cross of Christ where one is left to discover not only his God, but his entire purpose for being. Once taken, it is a pilgrimage that you will desire to make often; a pilgrimage that will forever alter your life.

This is the Hardback unabridged edition. Having both, let me highly recommend the unabridged. Let not the size scare you it is written in a manner so friendly as to be able to read a chapter lay it meditate pick it up 3 weeks later and read another. The chapters even the subsections can stand on their own not needing the before or after sections to be blessed with what you are then reading. I spent five years reading the book not because it is hard but because it is so clear and the sentences so full as to make you pause and say yes that is right, amen, Let me rejoice in this awhile. I would some times not be able to get back to it for weeks. Pick it up where I left off, with out reviewing the previous section to regain and understanding of what I was reading. Now I have to review Lois Lamore to do the same I am not that smart but This writer is that clear and plain. I recommend you skip The intro by R C Sproul(a great man) And just Begin with Gurnall writing, You will not Be Disappointed. God Bless and He does and will Bless you as you read The Christian in Complete Armour. The most Bible filled book ever written apart from the Bible it self.

The Christian in Complete Armour (C.I.C.A.) has transformed my life. Gurnall presents a look at the spiritual world like no other modern day writer I have read. His grasp of how we do battle with Satan and the world and the flesh, brings a level of maturity to my spiritual life that I have never experienced before.

Do you desire for a deeper spiritual relationship with the Father? Are you frequently frustrated with your feeble attempts to resist sin and the Devil? You will transformed from a green boot camp grunt into a battle-hardened soldier of Christ after reading this book.

If you'd rather be a valiant spiritual warrior on the order of magnitude of Genghis Khan or Alexander the great, but you feel like Custer, you must read this book!

This book is the military handbook for your spirit. The first rule of military engagement is know your opponent -- know his weapons, his strenths, his weaknesses, his numbers, his strategy, etc. Gurnall lays it out for you! Don't go into spiritual battle without it!

I received this book almost two weeks ago, and I haven't been the same! The passion and good old-fashioned common sense of this puritan writer absolutely astounds me. The un-abridged addition is a little slow at first to get a handle on, but so is Shakespeare. And it will help you to reap rewards for many years. This book is so full of life transforming truth that it will become your best purchase next to a good study Bible! I can't recommend this book enough!

This book is one of the most insightful books I have ever read. Every Christian should have this book in their library. Although Mr. Gurnall wrote this work hundreds of years ago, the truths found within it are as applicable today as in the day he first penned them. In my opinion, if every believer studied the Bible and The Christian in Complete Armour no other books would be needed to help in their walk with God.

ISBN 0851511961.

I have to concur with the others, if I had only two books with me on a desert island, one would be my Bible, and the other would be this book (hedging out my other stand-by: The Institutes of the Christian Religion). I am awe-struck by the gifts of wisdom, insight and understanding that the Lord worked in the heart and mind of this saint, William Gurnall! I can't wait to get home to pick up where I left off, it is that dear to me.

It's loaded to the gunwales with insights; the author has an understanding of spiritual warfare and of the human heart that is simply astounding. One might sit down and study Owen, or Edwards, et al, to great profit (I have), but I believe there's probably nothing better for the final fifteen minutes of the day than a read from Gurnall to pierce beneath the Old Man's fifth rib, to set the tempter on his heels, and to drive one to repentance. A better devotional work to leave a soul begging forgiveness for his 'till-that-moment hidden sin I have never found. That's William Gurnall. He not only trains for war, he reveals sin and generates prayer.

I looked at the abridgement online, the one separated into daily readings, and I believe that this unabridged edition is definitely better. Be sure to get the one belonging to the ISBN# at the top of my review.

If only every Christian would read this pearl of great price, this treasure trove of godly wisdom...

Read this manual of obedience and spiritual warfighting and you will inevitably draw closer to your Lord! Read it prayerfully and you will advance noticeably in your discipleship.

Many Christians, such as myself, can divide the days of their Christian experience into pre-Reformed and Reformed. I can safely say that my devotional life can now be divided into pre- and post-Gurnall.

As you read this review, wondering whether to purchase this book, your unseen foes tremble with a trepidation that is most justified indeed. Christ owns His enemies, and He raised up a Field Marshal in William Gurnall to help His sheep do likewise.

I can't put this book down, William Gurnall was truly a man inspired by the Word of God. How has this book be overlooked by our modern church? The this book should be a requirement for graduation from seminary. This book is a must for all Christians who feel something lacking, or for those who do not.
Besides the Bible, I have not read a book so powerful.

There is so much in this book that I don't think it is possible to get it all or even most of it through a single casual reading. Gurnall's intensive thought and insight in the subject of spiritual 'wrestling' is so rich and wonderfully written that you can gleam new truth from it time and time again. And the sections are written in shorter bite-sized portions that don't leave you paddling to reach the end of a chapter.
I would highly recommend this book and consider it must reading for anyone who thinks they know anything about spiritual warfare. There are a lot of excellent books out there on spiritual warfare right now and although I might recommend some of them, this book stands head-and-shoulders above them all because of its exhaustive treatment and analysis in the practical details of the good fight in everyday life. This book takes a huge subject that so many deal with in short and fleshes it out into the whole life-encompassing reality that is life as a Christian in this fallen world.
It is no wonder that this classic from 1655 should survive as almost an appendix to the scriptures themselves for so many saints of God through recent centuries. It is remaining near my Bible as among the oft' read for a long time to come!