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Craig

Finney was the inventor of the "altar call", where the preacher calls sinners to come to the front and give their lives to Jesus. Calvinists believe that salvation is the work of the Holy Spirit upon the sinners' mind and spirit. Hyper-calvinists are fairly unevangelistic since they believe that man cannot have any effect in a person's salvation. Calvinists also believe that Finney was a Pelagianist. In other words, man could become perfect before God in his own abilities. To read what one prominent Calvinist has to say about Finney, go here:

http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/articles/finney.htm

I love Finney, but I balance Finney with other writers and preachers.

I have been reading through Chuck's compiled lectures from the Oberlin Evangelist, 'The Promise of The Spirit.' at a rate of about 3 lectures a month for over half a year. This has been a source of great struggle and conviction, much in the same way that something like Why Revival Tarries or John Owen's The Mortification of Sin are.

I once said that Finney sets the bar higher, and the person I was speaking with correctly pointed out that the bar was always set that high -Jesus is the standard. What I think Finney is good for is showing us how low we see the standard of God as being, when we read Finney's writings we sometimes come away ashamed, or feel that he is too radical... well the Gospel demands radical obedience!

Finney has some doctrines that I disagree with, such as his strong teachings on 'christian perfection.' I want to be perfect, and I daily cry out to God for more mercy and more grace, according to Paul Washer this is one of the signs that I'm saved -according to Finney (or even John Owen) I'm a heathen who hasn't actually accepted Jesus as my savior.

Finney is great for challenging a person to live a more holy life. One of the things I like about reading Finney are those moments where the bar seems to get higher... and you've got to sit and repent that you hadn't seen that certain thing as sin before. Of course all of the theology and ethic is in the bible, but Finney is great for laying down the Praxis! Of course, the praxis is different for every person, but I'm amazed at Charles Finney's desire to live a holy life.

If there's anything to take away from Finney is the desire to be holy, to serve others and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

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Ian Smith

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Ian Smith

TrueWitness said
"Finney was the inventor of the "altar call", where the preacher calls sinners to come to the front and give their lives to Jesus."

Was it so? Correct me if I am wrong. It is only on the revivals that he held that people were slain by the conviction of the Holy Spirit and fell on the ground before he even finishes his preaching.

Hear it from his own account. This is taken from the Article “Memories of Charles Finney”

"I had not spoken to them in this strain of direct application, I should think, more than a quarter of an hour, when all at once an awful solemnity seemed to settle down upon them; the congregation began to fall from their seats in every direction, and cried for mercy. If I had had a sword in each hand, I could not have cut them off their seats as fast as they fell. Indeed nearly the whole congregation were either on their knees or prostrate, I should think, in less than two minutes from this first shock that fell upon them. Every one prayed for himself, who was able to speak at all."

This kind of things characterized most of his meetings. I don't think he "alter called" or invented it. To the contrary Alter calls are invented when this kind of power that characterized Finney’s meetings departed from the church.

"If there's anything to take away from Finney is the desire to be holy, to serve others and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ"

Well said "iansmith"!

Your sis. Mek.

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Mekdes Tsige

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patrick heaviside

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Ian Smith

Here is a sermon preached on "Particular Redemption" or Limited Atonement.
[url=http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0181.htm]Particular Redemption[/url]

Another on man's inability, or total depravity
[url=http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/Human%20Inability.htm]Human Inability[/url]

Predestination and effectual calling, or irresistable grace
[url=http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0241.htm]Predestination And Calling[/url]

Unconditional Election
[url=http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0131.htm]
Salvation Is Of The LORD[/url]

This link will take you to Spurgeon's thoughts on all five points of Calvinism
[url=http://www.spurgeongems.org/grace.htm]
Spurgeon Gems[/url]

Just so you know it was more than just one sermon. I think many people like to quote Spurgeon, and herald him as the "Prince of Preachers" without understanding the doctrines he held.

Every blessing to you today :-)

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patrick heaviside

Ian,

Spurgeon was a Calvinist.

Here is a list of sermons he preached on Romans:
http://www.spurgeon.org/index/r_ro.htm

Here is a sermon on Election
http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0041.htm

Here is a sermon entitled "Glorious Predestination"
http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/1043.htm

roaringlamb, you were thinking the same thing I was! :-)