Finney's teachings definitely set back my own spiritual growth. Personally I think his theology is too full of serious dangers to recommend him as a read for anyone not well-versed in a wide historical and theological spectrum of Christian literature.
__________________
...Do not let me hear
Of the wisdom of old men, but rather of their folly,
Their fear of fear and frenzy, their fear of possession, Of belonging to another, or to others, or to God. The only wisdom we can hope to acquire Is the wisdom of humility: humility is endless.
I have continued to follow this discussion. I must confess that I have not read up on Charles Finney in the past, although had heard of him. I also know that it is easy to take snippets from here and there, of what someone says, which standing alone can give an inaccurate impression. The big one for me, however, is that Billy Graham seems to have endorsed his work. If he did that, it is good enough for me. Doesn't mean I would agree with all his teachings, just that God works through a whole variety of people to reach others for Christ--and this man seems to have been willing to be an instrument to reach souls for the kingdom.
__________________ "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a good workman who needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15
Dispute those facts!!! Prove them wrong! I dare you.
Dispute that he did not say those things in his "Lectures on Systematic Theology"!
I showed it to you, you still don't believe.
You have your opinion, I have mine, history agrees with me.
You want me to dig up the exact locations of those quotes?
Charles Finney denied that Christ could die for anybody but Himself, he denied that Christ's righteousness could be imputed to believers, he denied that Christ's death could not atone for anybody, regeneration is nothing more than changing the decisions you make, and you say I assume to much.
I proved Charles G. Finney started his ministry based on lies:
Unexpectedly to myself they asked me if I received the Confession of faith of the Presbyterian church. I had not examined it;—that is, the large work, containing the Catechisms and Presbyterian Confession. This had made no part of my study. I replied that I received it for substance of doctrine, so far as I understood it. But I spoke in a way that plainly implied, I think, that I did not pretend to know much about it. However, I answered honestly, as I understood it at the time [Charles Finney, The Memoirs of Charles Finney: The Complete Restored Text (Grand Rapids: Academie, 1989), 53-54].
You want to uphold a liar, fine by me.
But others may want to know what this man taught.
God Bless
Till all are one.
__________________ Remember this Dean:
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"It may be that in the sight of heaven your more worthless and less fit to live than millions"
-The Ghost of Christmas Present to Ebenezer Schrooge
Thanks for the reply. People are tempted in various ways or should I say, people have different weaknesses. I have never had a weakness for alcohol or drugs. But I have had a weakness of anger and loosing my cool. And I have displayed that here, which wasn't Christ like at all. Funny think is as I am pointing out the others whom are not Christ like, I am being convicted by the Holy Spirit to look in the mirror, which I have an didn't like what I saw.
Again, I apologize and will watch myself. If anyone sees me getting upset or angry, you have my permission to point it out so I can work on it. Of course the Holy Spirit has been doing a good job of it too...LOL.
Of calvinism, I can truly admit that I am wrong on some points. I can't agree totally with it nor can I agree totally with arminianism, so I am mostly in the middle. However, let me say that I have never had any concerns about either until joined this forum a few weeks ago. For me, I am more concerned with making sure my life lines up with Christ's life, and let me tell you, I have a zillion miles to go. But, that doesn't mean I don't try.
I am more concerned with bible study that doesn't necessarily involves these two theologies, but more on how I can live more like Christ and how I can show the lost what salvation is.
Anyway, I will probably just sit back and read some. Thanks!
Last edited by pdudgeon; 21st September 2009 at 12:43 PM.
Reason: staff edit-thread clean
It is too bad you feel like that. The Utube on Finney simply sets the record straight on a statement taken out of context. The discussion should center around the OP not other pros and cons of the man's life. There is room for analysis of his beliefs on a more specific level. Scolarship demands a higher standard. Mr. White messed up. Does that make him evil? I don't think so. Does that make Mr. Finney evil? I don't think so. So, why not enguage the OP and leave the other for a different consideration. If you want fair honest dialogue then why not interact with the facts of the Utube documentation. After that if you have a need to compare Finney's doctrine with that of yours then do so.