The Best of Charles Finney (America's Greatest Revivalist & Theologian)

sermonindex Nov 8, 2009

Though Finney got it wrong sometimes (on foreknowledge, election, predestination, perseverance of the saints) he often got it right on other topics (natural ability, foundation of obligation, purpose of penalties, unity of moral action, entire sanctification, justification, atonement, regeneration).

I have studied the writings of Charles Finney for years now and have been wonderfully blessed by it. His revivals, his evangelism teachings, and his theological teachings were awesome! But it amazes me how badly people misunderstand him and misrepresent him. He is constantly being falsely accused by those who hold to a different theology. Many people have a negative impression when it comes to Finney because of the many lies that have been spread about his beliefs. It would do everyone some good to read his teachings for yourself, in stead of getting it from hearsay.

For that reason, I thought it would be good to recommend some of his best writings. These are powerfully anointed and biblical teachings that can radically change your life if you allow them to.

~~[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=3717]~~SINNERS BOUND TO CHANGE THEIR OWN HEARTS:[/url]

~~[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=3718]~~HOW TO CHANGE YOUR HEART:[/url]

~~[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=642]~~THE SINNER'S NATURAL POWER AND MORAL WEAKNESS[/url]

~~[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=3761]~~JUSTIFICATION[/url]

~~[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=569]~~JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH[/url]

~~[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=3736]~~FALSE COMFORTS FOR SINNERS[/url]

~~[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=572]~~CHRISTIAN PERFECTION[/url]

~~[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=573]~~CHRISTIAN PERFECTION 2[/url]

~~[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=665]~~ANY ONE FORM OF SIN PERSISTED IN IS FATAL TO THE SOUL[/url]

~~[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=640]~~MORAL INSANITY[/url]

~~[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=643]~~ON THE ATONEMENT[/url]

~~[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=663]~~SALVATION DIFFICULT TO THE CHRISTIAN, IMPOSSIBLE TO THE SINNER[/url]

~~[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=664]~~
THE SALVATION OF SINNERS IMPOSSIBLE[/url]

~~[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=570]~~ SANCTIFICATION BY FAITH[/url]

~~[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=636]~~ THE EXCUSES OF SINNERS CONDEMN GOD[/url]

~~[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=638]~~ THE REFUGE OF LIES[/url]

~~[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=637]~~ THE SINNER'S EXCUSES ANSWERED[/url]

~~[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=3742]~~ TOTAL DEPRAVITY[/url]

~~[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=3743]~~ TOTAL DEPRAVITY 2[/url]

~~[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=666]~~ THE WRATH OF GOD AGAINST THOSE WHO WITHSTAND THE TRUTH[/url]

~~[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=565]~~ TRUE AND FALSE CONVERSIONS[/url]

~~[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=562]~~ TRUE & FALSE REPENTANCE[/url]

~~[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=3757]~~ WAY TO BE HOLY[/url]

L

Leo_Grace Nov 8, 2009

by truefaithsav on 2009/11/8 9:14:49
Though ~~[b]~~Finney got it wrong sometimes (on foreknowledge, election, predestination, perseverance of the saints)[/b] he often got it right on other topics (natural ability, foundation of obligation, purpose of penalties, unity of moral action, entire sanctification, justification, atonement, regeneration).

Good warning. One must always check the teachings of Finney (and of any other men) against the truth of Scripture. Thank you, truefaithsav.

Note: Whether he was America's greatest revivalist and theologian is open to debate.

sermonindex Nov 8, 2009

Jesse or some other "morrellite",
now you're gonna put the pedal to the metal, huh bud? Really going to try and make life miserable for the moderators?

You should be ashamed of yourself....and you stumble many, believe me, and when you do that, you WILL be called to account.

Now my guess is, SOONER rather later, your moniker "trusavfaith" will become "anonymous", thats not prophesy, that's just common sense watching you be foolish.

sermonindex Nov 8, 2009

Natan,

What in the world are you talking about? Making life miserable for the moderators? Pedal to the metal? Ashamed? Causing others to stumble? Elaborate and explain yourself. You are confusing.

All I did was post biblical and edifying sermons by Charles Finney. This man was clearly anointed by God and used mightily for the Kingdom. People post articles and links all the time in these forums.

What I liked the most about Finney was how he made no excuses for sin but has destroyed every excuse for sin that the Church has ever come up with. He promoted a life of holiness, which truly glorifies God.

sermonindex Nov 8, 2009

What in the world are you talking about? Making life miserable for the moderators? Pedal to the metal? Ashamed? Causing others to stumble? Elaborate and explain yourself. You are confusing.

You know EXACTLY what I'm talking about Jesse. Two threads over, a refutation of your pelgianism, hence aspects of Finney, and then this thread, which is designed to cause not discussion, but strife, division.

I might be many things, saved sinner, father of one, eater of Kimchi, but confusing?......no.

This whole thing with you, reminds me of something out of the "Screwtape Letters", and if you think Ruben Israel or Jed Smock are going to deliver you from your demons, think again, those two got enough to fill a whole herd of pigs, as I said before, "The Lord rebuke you!"

M

murrcolr Nov 8, 2009

Charles Finney was a Presbyterian minister who was largely responsible for the Second Great Awakening, an American revival in the early 19th Century. He’s credited with inventing the modern day “altar call” and born-again experience.

What most people don’t know is that Finney was largely influenced by Pelagius, a 4th Century monk and heretic, who didn’t believe in vicarious atonement or original sin. Finney sought to gather people around Jesus as merely a moral figure and make the church a moral reform society.

Probably the worst thing that came out of Finney’s revivals was the “get saved” mentality which sought out converts rather than disciples. It was Finney’s philosophy to do and say whatever necessary to get people to make a decision at that moment. Unfortunately that led to a rather shallow depth of faith for his converts. As other revivals came through the area people were switching back and forth between denominations based on the powerful calls to action the revival preachers offered rather than a rich understanding of the tenets of their faith.

sermonindex Nov 9, 2009

I found this video online. This is a very good refutation of many of the lies that people have been spreading about Finney: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caffyMYwNw4

How many of Billy Graham's converts stayed in the faith? Less then 2%.

How many of D. L. Moody's converts backslide? 65%

How many of Finney's converts stayed in the faith? Over 85%.

Finney saw genuine conversions. He did not make appeals to the emotions of men, but to their will. And he did not teach a "sinning religion" but taught total repentance (forsaking all sin) and Christian perfection or entire sanctification (total devotion to Jesus). He taught radical biblical Christianity and his message brought forth fruit which is unmatched in American history.

C

Christisking Nov 9, 2009

You know EXACTLY what I'm talking about Jesse. Two threads over, a refutation of your pelgianism, hence aspects of Finney, and then this thread, which is designed to cause not discussion, but strife, division.
I might be many things, saved sinner, father of one, eater of Kimchi, but confusing?......no.
This whole thing with you, reminds me of something out of the "Screwtape Letters", and if you think Ruben Israel or Jed Smock are going to deliver you from your demons, think again, those two got enough to fill a whole herd of pigs, as I said before, "The Lord rebuke you!"

well said Neil - someone needs to shut this guy down - this is just getting silly at this point - where is Greg and the other moderators???

Patrick
www.jonahproject.org

sermonindex Nov 9, 2009

I don't understand what needs to be shut down??

All I did was post some great Finney sermons, which are actually hosted here on Sermon Index!

Had I posted some article by Piper or some video by Washer, would there have been a problem?

There is nothing wrong with posting articles and videos. You guys are making a big fuss out of nothing.

I would encourage you to actually read some of the sermons of Finney that I posted and be edified. That is why they are on Sermon Index in the first place. We have a lot to learn from this anointed man of God.

You guys are acting silly.

sermonindex Nov 9, 2009

Patrick, I saw on your site that you had quotes from Paris Reidhead, Keith Green, and Catherine Booth. Did you know that they admired and studied Charles Finney? Do you think their ministries should have been "stopped" and that they had "demons"? Where they heretics? Tozer and Ravenhill also spoke highly of Finney.

This stuff is getting extreme and irrational.

Seriously. If you want to actually refute some of the sermons I posted, go ahead. Do it in a reasonable, rational, Scriptural way. But to just make these nasty posts with all these wild accusations isn't edifying to anyone.

K

kingsfishers Nov 9, 2009

Those of you who are making these accusation against our brother here for posting Finney's sermons ought to be ashamed of yourselves. This is exactly why I have stayed away from this forum for so long. All the sermons he posted can be downloaded from sermon index, so we do you say he has demons for posting them, are you saying that sermon index has demons? If you are not, then you are the ones being hypocritical. When we as Christians act like this, no wonder many worldy people do not want to join our ranks. Why would they, so they could be told they have demons because they endorse a preacher you don't agree with. When I served as outreach minister, trying to get people to come to church was a chore, why did they not want to come, because of the lack of love being shown among professing Christians. Jesus said the world will know you are my disciples by your love for one another. The oppositite is true also, the world will know we ARE NOT his disciples by our lack of love for one another. John tells us in his epistle that if we say we love God and hate our brother, we are liars. Where is the love for our brother in accusing him of needing to repent and saying he has demons because he endorses a preacher you don't agree with? When we acty in such unbiblical ways, we ought to be ashamed to even claim to be His disciples. If this offends you, that is not my intention, but I do not appoligize for doing so. You I believe need to appologize to our brother and remember that everyone has feelings and you have said hurtful things. God bless you Richard

G

ginnyrose Nov 9, 2009

I have been loosely following the debate here on SI about Finney, et al....

There is one thing that keeps coming back to me: why do folks allow the writings of any man teach them how to interpret the WORD? Hey! these guys will have to stand before the judgement seat and give account. Some might make it to heaven and some won't. Is it not dangerous to rely so heavily on these fellows' writings to teach me what the WORD says instead of looking at it myself and ask the Holy Spirit for illumination? Sure you can ask others, but they do not have the final word....

Seems to me that when theological discussions move into the realm of debate folks are no longer discussing theology but philosophy.

Maybe I am wrong? But this is what it seems like to me...

Blessings to one and all,
ginnyrose

sermonindex Nov 9, 2009

I am locking this thread. Charles Finney and other topics like this "can" be discussed but really not in this manner.

sermonindex Nov 9, 2009

from my understanding did not finney not believe in imputed righteousness, where when we have true saving faith in Christ we our give the very righteousness of Christ, actually that is the only way we could ever look right before God in heaven ever. He also believed you could lose your salvation after being born again, i wonder when the Bible says when we ourborn of an incorrupitible seed by God why not to many people believe that, sounds like we our saying God failed in us, but people will say we failed not God, but let me ask you something, if us in our flesh our so wicked and vile and would never seek after God be able at all to follow him unless God was working in us to finish our salvation, it has to be God or we can do nothing, we will always turn from him.