Life Of God In The Soul Of Man (Mass Market Paperback)

~ Scougal Henry (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

John Wesley said that of all the definitions of Christianity
that he had encountered, the best was that of a Scotsman who lived in the 17th-century.
He said: "Christianity is the life of God in the soul of man."

"There are some books whose vision is so deep and clear that truth rings from the page like the toll of a large bell, perfectly obvious, but rare and precious. They unfold the heart of man and God with such forceful illumination that the truth is not just shown to my mind but created in my heart, so it went as I grazed in the green pasture of this remarkable book."
John Piper, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Description

Henry Scougal died in 1657 at the age of 27 but by then he was already Professor of Divinity at Aberdeen University. This timeless classic was originally written to encourage a friend and stimulate his spiritual life. It was so appreciated that it was later published as a book for a wider readership. A hundred years later a copy was sent to George Whitefield by his friend, Charles Wesley - it was instrumental in Whitefield's conversion. This book provided much of the stimulation behind the Methodist Revival of Britain and the Great Awakening in America. In it Scougal explains the four essential characteristics of divine life, their excellence, their advantages and the practical steps that you can take in realising them as your personal experience. This book has an extensive introduction by J.I. Packer and contains, as an appendix, the 'Rules and instructions for a holy life' by Archbishop Robert Leighton of Glasgow.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Christian Heritage (January 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1857921054
• ISBN-13: 978-1857921052
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #501,817 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "A True Classic" Does not do this book justice..., September 22, 2000

By	Stephen Mowry (Marblehead, MA United States) - See all my reviews

All I can say is WOW! I fell flat on my face after reading this young man's terrifying insight. I cannot express in greater terms the absolute need to read this book. Look at the title of it. That's it isn't it? Galations 2:20: "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and delivered Himself up for me".

A quote by George Whitfield in the preface: "How did my heart rise and shudder like a poor man that is afraid to look into his ledger lest he should find himself a bankrupt. 'Shall I burn this book? Shall I throw it down? or shall I search it?' I did search it; and, holding the book in my hand, thus addressed the God of heaven and earth: 'Lord, if I am not a Christian, for Jesus Christ's sake show me what Christianity is, that I may not be damned at last.' I read a little further, and discovered that they who know anything of religion know it is a vital union with the Son of God -- Christ formed in the heart. O what a ray of divine life did then break in upon my soul!"

Reading this book terrified me because I had to ask "Now that I know these things, what shall I do?". And that began the process where the Lord ripped me open down to the very essence of my nature and furiously broke into my existence.

Thank God for His Son and the relationship They have with each other. Feel free to write; I would love to discuss further.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE WORK on Christian spirituality, June 20, 2000

By	Brian Douglas (Brighton, England) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If anyone claims to be a Christian or has an interest in what it means to become one, he or she should read this book. Scougal, who began his illustrious ministerial and academic career in his teenage years and only lived into his late twenties, has some of the deepest insights into the definition of being a Christian that have ever been printed. He discusses a person's conversion, thoroughly describing the roles of God and man in justification. Scougal then goes into great detail concerning the ramifications of that experience into a Christian's life: he dives deep into the effect of a person's new-found way of life upon his or her mind, will, and affections. His ability to describe the process of sanctification in an orderly, vivid, descripitive, and passionate way in unparalleled. The book is actually a long letter from Scougal to one of his theological peers who had recently lost heart in his pursuit of God, so the book itself challenges the reader to grow, yet reads warmly and is uplifting. The only obstacle is that most editions of this book (if not all) are in the original Middle English, making the full meaning of the words and phrases a little difficult at times for the modern reader. The author's logical flow and warmth of spirit make up for that, though, and make this book one of the most thorough and challenging descriptions of Christian justification and sanctification theology ever.

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Prepare to be changed, February 7, 2000

By	Jack Atkinson (Huntsville, Al) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Life of God in the Soul of Man (Paperback)

This one little book written back in the 1600's will challenge any one who professes to love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. It will open one's eyes to what true religion or true Christianity is. It isn't rituals. It isn't legalistic rules. Christianity is about being united in soul and spirit with the Holy One.