Customer Reviews

Real Christianity

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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.

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.

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.

Best book on the Christian Life I've ever written. If this sounds presumptious, let me clarify. After writing a number of books on the Christian life over the years, I took on the task of updating this classic, written by William Wilberforce over 200 years ago. What he had to say then was so signficant to the modern world that I undertook the task of udating. What he has to say is immensely more helpful than anything I have ever written - thus - my best book as an author does not contain an original thought! Hope you enjoy.
A must read.

It is an excellent book. Many who preach christianity should read this book to know what it really means to be a Christian - to walk by the teachings of Christ. As Gandhi said, if the Christians imitated the ways of Christ, there will be no need for another religion!!

This book is one I highly recommend for anyone who is interested in evaluating life; and if we are standing for the values in which we believe, both personally and as a nation. It certainly has made me take a serious look at my own life. After accidentally leaving the book in the airport and did not realize it until it was too late, I ordered another copy. I hope the person who found my book will read it and value it. I shall be more careful with my new copy. S. Robertson

Written over 200 years ago, yet still intensely relevant, Real Christianity reminds us what it means to BE a Christian. William Wilberforce lived in a decadent and inauthentic society. His light shines brightly today with as much love for us as he had for those in his life and times.

William Wilberforce was one of the leading forces of slavery reform in England. He is also the subject of the recent film Amazing Grace. Wilberforce originally wrote Real Christianity in 1797. Bob Beltz, one of the producers of Amazing Grace, has released a modern paraphrase of Wilberforce's book.

Through Beltz's modern version of Real Christianity, readers are able to understand Wilberforce's challenge to Christians to think through their beliefs. Wilberforce encourages readers to look at how we live our daily lives and filter our actions through Scripture.

Readers will find Real Christianity surprisingly applicable to modern life. Just as biblical truths transcend the eras, so do Wilberforce's thoughts on the Christian life. There are obvious parts that apply directly to British customs of the time period, but overall the lessons to be learned are still relevant today.

I would encourage all Christians to read this book. It will challenge you spiritually and point you toward a more intimate relationship with Christ. Real Christianity will also cause you to think deeply about your walk with the Lord and help you to understand how your actions translate to those who do not know the Lord.

Revised and updated by Bob Beltz, Real Christianity is a classic text originally written by abolitionist William Wilberforce more than 200 years ago in order to denounce slavery by appealing to human belief and redefining authentic Christian life. Now, experienced minister Bob Beltz offers a revised and updated version of Real Christianity in modern English (with brief notes) for contemporary readers. Wilberforce's core messages about the true standards of Christian behavior, authentic faith, and the nature of man are unchanged and throughly accessible to readers of all backgrounds. "To live our lives and miss that great purpose we were designed to accomplish is truly a sin. It is inconceivable that we could be bored in a world with so much wrong to tackle, so much ignorance to teach and so much misery we could alleviate." Highly recommended.

Most definately the BEST book I have ever read on living authentic Christianity. I cannot recommend it highly enough..