Real Christianity [Paperback]

Bob Beltz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 19, 2006

Just in time for the release of Amazing Grace, the movie about the life of William Wilberforce, is this edition of his classic book from 1797, Real Christianity, paraphrased in modern language and made more accessible to contemporary readers. This is the book that helped abolish the slave trade in the United Kingdom, and called Christians to live a more authentic life of faith more than 200 years ago.  The timeless truths it contains will speak to readers in fresh ways today. Christians who eschew cultural Christianity in favor of a real faith in Christ will find the principles here thought-provoking and applicable. The social justice orientation will appeal to readers of Jim Wallis, Os Guinness, Charles Colson, Shane Claiborne, John Perkins, Bono, and Nancy Pearcy. Readers will also find the book is a good litmus test of the authenticity of their own faith.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

Real Christianity is a call to Christians to know what they believe, and then live accordingly. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

He believed that slavery was wrong; and with his classic book, Real Christianity, William Wilberforce set out to describe for people an authentic expression of the Christian faith. In doing so, he changed the course of a nation—and the world. In this modern paraphrase of a contemporary classic, Bob Beltz introduces you to a set of principles critical in living an authentic Christian life. As you read his passionate words, you’ll find that Wilberforce’s examination of what it means to have authentic faith in a time of cultural Christianity resonates strongly, even today. Discover how the concepts of sin, evil and depravity have been watered-down. Find out how the essential beliefs of authentic Christianity have been distorted. Learn how to maintain a biblical lifestyle. Although written more than 200 years ago, the timeless truths in this book will speak to you in fresh ways. It will also serve as a litmus test of the authenticity of your own spiritual values.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Regal; Rev Upd edition (December 19, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830743111
• ISBN-13: 978-0830743117
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #331,976 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Paraphrased version, January 27, 2008

By 

Rose Grant "thebewilderness" (Gig Harbor, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Real Christianity (Paperback)

While it is my own fault for not examining the fine print, I was disappointed to find that this book was not the one written by Wilberforce. Rather it is a paraphrased version, containing a number of inappropriate word substitutes that alter the meaning dramatically.
I read "A Practical View of Real Christianity" by Wilberforce many years ago. This book is not that book. I should have been more cautious when attempting to purchase it again. Certainly the publisher could have been straightforward about who the author of this book is.

26 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A superb edition of William Wilberforce's timeless classic., October 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Real Christianity (Essential Christian Library) (Hardcover)

Statesman and reformer William Wilberforce (1759-1833), best known for leading the 20-year fight to abolish the British slave trade, cared deeply about re-introducing classic works by Christian writers to new audiences. On one occasion he wrote of the "Practical Writings" of the celebrated 17th century divine Richard Baxter:

"With [Baxter's] controversial pieces I am little acquainted: but his Practical Writings, in four massy folios, are a treasury of Christian wisdom...[I]t would be a most valuable service to mankind to revise them, and perhaps to abridge them, so as to render them more suited to the taste of modern readers."

Editor Ellyn Sanna has done just this for Wilberforce's "Real Christianity." Her abridgements are judicious, and the revisions in language allow modern readers to derive the greatest benefit from Wilberforce's timeless call to embrace biblical Christianity and let it inform their lives. Thus, this new edition of "Real Christianity" does much to perpetuate a proper understanding and appreciation of Wilberforce's life and achievements. I have profited from, and will continue to profit from this valuable new edition. I regret, however, the omission of an index in this book, which would have been a helpful addition. Happily, this is the only detraction (and a small one at that) from this new edition.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Authentic Christianity, March 25, 2007

By 

Philip S Roeda (Cook, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Real Christianity (Paperback)

William Wilberforce makes clear his intended audience are readers who perceive themselves to be Christians, people who attend church on a regular basis. Remember this book was first published in the early nineteenth century when the majority in Great Britain felt peer pressure to attend church on a regular basis. The book is a call for introspection: How will you face God after you leave this earth. The author makes distinction between the cultural Christian and to what he considers an authentic Christian. What constitutes authentic religion and authentic faith? Expresses a desire that Christians should have desire to know the scripture and have the ability to defend their Faith. Does one have a desire to be well educated over having a godly knowledge of the bible? Does one's desire for a place in society determines behavior and thought or does one's desire to grow closer to God? Wilberforce is critical of Christians who call Faith a private matter. As if it is something to be kept to oneself and not for public declaration. Does the individual feel this way because he is insecure in his knowledge of the bible, insecurity about his ability to defend his thoughts, or lack of faith in his stated belief? The author makes a distinction between being a moral person and a Christian, A moral person tries to do good things and avoid doing bad things. A standard set up by man not God.

Wilberforce argues that many a Christian have a misperception about the nature of God and the nature of sin, therefore they do not perceive oneself correctly before God. Christians do not take Satan serious and do not take sin serious. One finds oneself belittle their own guilt and not acknowledging the importance of the cross. The author lists the essentials of the Christian Faith:
Jesus came to earth to live as a human being, to suffer through the humiliations of being man as if he were a sinner, to die as if he were a sinner, to rise from the dead - so we can come with confidence to come to God for forgiveness for ones sins.

Jesus did not die on the cross so God the Father could have a more tolerant perspective about sin. Man is still worthy of hell. Man without repentance is doomed. Salvation is not about living a more ethical life. Salvation only comes from having an emotional response to a correct knowledge of one's own accountability to God and His hatred of sin. One is dependent on Jesus to avoid the punishment of sin. Behavior through the Holy Spirit will improve after conversion of Faith, but in way does the believer merit salvation.

Wilberforce goes to great lengths to express what it means to put God first in contrast an earthly attempt to be a good person, self-effort attempt to serve God, and a life lead by the Holy Spirit. Does one take doctrine serious; does one take the teachings of the bible to heart? Do you love God more than the acceptance of man? This perspective will effect how one budgets his time, use his Sunday. Does one grudgingly go to church then use the rest of the day for leisure or business? How does one study God's word, how does one worship?

The author goes into detail distinguish between man directed behavior and God directed behavior. A good reputation seeking God's will is something to seek, but one should be provoked to sinful anger or violence when one slanders you as a hypocrite. It is not the approval of man a Christian seeks, but the approval of God. Revenge and/or hate should not be a Christian response to slander or lies about ones Christian walk.

Wilberforce makes a case for a weaken nation because less people are authentic Christians. I find this regrettable because it seems to contradict his thesis about why someone should be an authentic Christian. The Author completes the book with a plea for the Christian to have a self examination of his Christian walk.

Yes, his efforts to end the slave trade and the movie Amazing Grace are two major factors in me seeking out this book.