Customer Reviews

Finney's Systematic Theology

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In reading through this book, I experienced a range of emotions. At first, I was confused because Finney spends an enormous amount of time building up a "toolbox" of principles that is not immediately apparent where he is going. Components of this toolbox you will have never encountered before and will sound very strange. Thus the first 1/4-1/3 of the book left me unsatisfied and to be honest, I almost stopped reading the book. But then, everything began to come together and I could see how incredibly powerful this toolbox that he developed was. He essentially formulates Christianity, in the tradtion of Jonathan Edwards, using a moral government framework, where loving God and loving our neighbor is the "law of love" that is required of all moral agents.

That probably sounds very abstract, but it will absolutely blow you away. During some parts of the book, I was nearly crying because I saw for the first time how deficient my previous understanding of Christianity was. This book ultimately completely transformed my walk and understanding of the Bible.

The book is very honest, and very well crafted. Unlike most Systematic Theologies, it reads like a fireball of reason.

I wish that everyone, both admirers and critics of Finney, would read this book in its entirety. Do not get discouraged in the first part, just be patient. It really will revolutionize your understanding of the gospel.

The most thorough and authoritative discussion I have ever seen. Though probably not for new christians as his language is very deep and legal sounding. Remember, Finney was a lawyer before his conversion. For those who know their bibles at all, this book will answer many questions and shed light on many "false" doctrines being shoved down peoples' throats in our churches today. These false doctrines dilute the effectiveness of the ministry and quench the fires of revival. It is no wonder that there is little true revival today. For anyone truly interested in revival (new christians included) let me recommend Finney's "Lectures on Revival" to learn how to have personal revival, then his "Autobiography of Charles Finney" to see real life examples of what happens when his theology is preached, and then return to this book, which is a must read after you understand the others. A word for those of you who criticize his theology: I wonder if any of you have truly read his works with an open mind (if at all), and whether you have the spiritual insight to realize that what you are preaching is NOT WORKING. Look at America today. Let's wake up and smell the coffee. God did not give us a powerless bible, for the gospel is "the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth", Rom. 1:16.
Notice "to EVERYONE that BELIEVETH". Note 1) it was to everyone that believed and not just to those chosen, and 2) they believed, they didn't just sit and wait for God to come their way. As I quoted in other reviews, one preacher said, "They criticize his theology, but they can't match his power." Please just read the book.

Finney's systematic theology is less a systematic theology in the purest sense of the term, and more a treatment of his moral government ideas applied to theological issues. I don't believe Finney advocated works-based theology as such, although many others have (obviously) reached different conclusions. What Finney recognized is that both components of a God-person relationship are real, living, thinking, free agents, and that, just as any other relationship requires the relational consent of both relatives, so does a relationship with God require mutual consent. YES, God made the first 'move'... YES, His desire for relationship can be very influential upon another free will. But to deny that we also play a part is to make God responsible for the choices of all others, who cease to become moral agents, instead becoming puppets and props in God's cosmic puppet show.

Read Finney's theology to get a good grasp of what free moral agency is, and what it entitles and entails. You may not agree with it, especially if you already think along Calvinistic lines. But even Calvinists should study Finney, if only to wrestle with the very legitimate challenges he introduces. I'm not any kind of Calvinist, so I didn't start reading tihs with Calvin-tinted spectacles on. I was fortunate not to bring that baggage to the fore. Finney's theology is compelling, challenging, and logical. It should be studied, on SOME level, by anyone who considers themself a serious theoloy student.

Charles Finney's systematic theology is the only volume in print which collects together all of Finneys theological writings in one book. The first impression one gets is the detail - more than 600 hundred pages of deep, theological discussion, with deep being the operative word. This is not a book for the casual, or superficail inquirer. Even if one desires to gain a remedial understanding of Finney's theology, one has to be prepared to spend many hours getting to grips with even his most basic ideas. One has not been reading the book very long before one notices Finney's unique style of writing. It is, at times, a little difficult to understand; Finney uses long, drawn -out sentences, reminiscent of the 19th century lawyer that he was. However, if one persevers they will discover an incredible depth of thelogical thought and argument which has been the inspiration of several revivals of faith around the globe. Finney's theology is rooted in his understanding of the moral nature of God, followed by His premise reagrding moral government. At the time of writing, much of Finney's theology was considered very controversial and even heretical by much of the established church. Most of the unrest was concerned with His ideas on entire sanctification and his rejection of the idea of eternal security outside of obedience to God's moral law. These ideas, at a time when the church was dominated by calvinism, were not well received by the general clergy of the time. However, this did not stop Finney from going on to become possibly the greatest revivalist preacher since the Apsotle Paul. Whatever one's personal opnions on Finney's theology, one cannot deny the practical results of such a theology - over 500,000 confirmed conversions to Jesus Christ during Finney's lifetime. Surely the ultimate test for any theology is - does it bring life? Finney's force of argument is very impressive. He puts forward his ideas so persuasively that one may find it difficult to disagree, at least Biblically speaking. I would not recommend this book to any casual student of theology. One has to be serious and studious if one is to even begin to understand Finney's arguments; it takes time and effort to get to grips with his ideas. But as one great preacher once said, 'if you can read something once and understand it, its probably not worth reading". I agree. This book will find its best use in the hands of those who are serious about their theology and are ready to be challenged in their theology, some of which may well need to change after reading Finney's Systematic Theology.

It is true that Charles Finney was labeled a heretic even before his death. His holiness stance and doctrine on human depravity caught many people off gaurd. But what happened in the case of Finney has happen to many others as well, including Arminius, Wesley, and Fletcher. In fact, during the 1700 and 1800's Reformed theology was so well received that if anyone disagreed with it, they were labeled heretics and persecuted, sometimes to the point of death. These un-Christian acts could never line up with Scripture, which led many to question those of the Reform position as to why they would tolerate such evil acts toward their fellow man. This, in turn, led to a re-examination of Reformed theology and those who taught it, which is still on-going even today.

Understandably, many die-hard Calvinist are hell-bent on trying to hold on to their position in an age where Calvinism is slowing dying. But what is amazing is that they are either ignorant or just ignoring today's Calvinist scholarship altogether, and are continuing to live in the past. It is true that Charles Finney did not hold to a "sin nature" that was transferred from one human to the next. This was one of the main reasons he has been labeled a heretic. Nevertheless, current Calvinistic scholarship has started coming to some similar conclusions regarding "sin nature" on their own. This is even being taught in some calvinistic seminaries. One example of this is at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Douglas Moo, professor of New Testament and Theology, (who by the way is a 5-point calvinist) has question the historical teaching on "sin nature" in his Romans Commentary (New International Commentary, pp.316-329). He states, among other things, that original sin may be an "offense to reason" (check it out for yourselves). This is just one example of many.

The point here is that too many are too eager just to use the label "heretic" whenever it disagrees with what they believe or have been taught. Charles Finney's Systematic Theology is dynamic and very challenging, especially for Calvinist's. Nonetheless, it remains a classic in Christian theology. If one would take the time to read it and compare it to Scripture and current Scholarship (in and outside Reformed circles), one would see that there is more truth here than meets the eye. God's Spirit must lead in truth, not man's current understanding of theology. I highly recommend this book, not because I agree with everyting in it, but because it will truly cause a person to "make their calling and election sure." We are to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling" and Finney's Systematic Theology helps one to do just that. There will always be those who will dismiss Finney just because of what history has said about him, but history is proving Finney less of a heretic year after year. Don't judge a book by it's cover.

With love and respect for all...

It appears our anti-Finney scholar in Canada is striking at as many Finney books as he can, just pasting in his anti-Finney disgust. Have you read any of Finneys books? Give us a quote, something to go on. This is a book review section and I will clearly state that Finney found great success and admiration in preaching a commited lifestyle to Christ, not on the basis of works saving you but on commitment as the Bible speaks clearly of. Dont spend your life against someone who has done so much good. If you have something good, spread that around! But as it were some live a disgruntled life with one passion, to angrily refute anyone who doesn't acknowledge their doctrine.

Charles Finney's book on Systematic Theology inroduces and reinforces the true Sovereignty of God in such a way that the reader can take the teaching from each page and apply it to ones life in a edifying,uplifting and faith increasing manner.Finney's truthful representation of the Trinity gives the reader hope in the words of Jesus (Matt 7:7-8)
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If one would pray before reading Finney's books and ask the Holy Spirit to lead into all truth the thirsty soul will find living waters from the throne of God and by drinking from the cup of Christ,that person will never thirst again.

Finney systematic theology was written decades ago but is still theologically relevant for todays Christian. his discussion of the subject of Sanctification shows that Sanctification is just as revelent a topic and doctrine in these last days as ever! A must read.!

The more controversial of Finney's thought is explained. The first part of the book is the foundation for Finney's thought from which the rest will be understood. Because Finney began with what was controversial and he was not able to complete a second volume, this systematic theology is incomplete by normal standards. This book was purchased for research purposes and was to that end helpful. Rating the book is difficult, because of the type of work it is and the variety of standards which could be used. This work is polemical, not conciliatory.

I first read Finney because of references to him in the works of A.W. Tozer (one of my favorite authors). Finney's life may have been Spirit-filled, but his understanding most certainly was not. I object to the reviewer who compares him to Jonathan Edwards--Finney takes his lawyer's mind and twists the scripture to fit his understanding of justice. His theology is indeed rational and logical--but it is in no way biblical. He proves that "the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing" (1 Cor. 1:18). Truly it was folly to Finney.

He plainly teaches against the graciousness of God and the saving power of the blood of Christ--arguing from a multiplicity of "laws" that Christ's sacrifice could not atone for our sins, but that we must pay the price for them ourselves by good works. Out of this flow Finney's concept of the Holy Spirit as the agent by which we are enabled to live perfect and holy lives--through which we are justified before God and satisfy His divine justice. No teaching has been more thoroughly refuted and despised as this: that man is saved by works, not of grace or through faith.

In fact, I wonder that Finney mentions Christ at all! What need is there for a Savior if we are fully able to save ourselves? Indeed, Finney believes that Christ died to set an example for us, so we would not take God's mercy for granted and "continue in sin that grace may abound" (Rom. 6:1). Therefore the Son of God, the blessed Lord and Savior, has shed His precious blood for no greater reason than to show us what happens if we sin?! Such heresy has rarely been uttered even by the lips of the most defiled sinner! What is more distressing is that so many today actually BELIEVE this!

I do not despise Finney as a brother in Christ, nor do I deny that He was greatly used of God in his generation to awaken many to the need for godliness and faithfulness in these last days. But I DO deny that he taught the truth concerning salvation--indeed, that he had any semblance of understanding at all. This reaches far beyond the Arminian/Calvinist debate. This theological system is founded upon the most destructive of all heresies--the denial of salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and not of works (Eph. 2:8-9). Let us not be like those who "seeing do not percieve and hearing do not understand" (Isa. 6:9).