Real Christianity: A Paraphrase in Modern English of a Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians in the H

I've read several different versions of this book, and this is the only unabridged edition of Wilberforce's original work. Arguments are well thought out and give an excellent glimpse into what gave this great abolitionist his compassion and perseverance to see the slave trade ended in Britain. This edition receives four stars because it has poor editing. For example, Wilberforce quotes a great deal of scripture from memory and gives no references. The Biblical references have been added by the editor, but many are inaccurate. I highly recommend this book as the best available, and not one to pass up!

1. Introduction William Wilberforce (1759 - 1833) was a member of the English Parliament for the County of York who dedicated his life to abolishing the slave trade. He once wrote that "Almighty God has set before me two great objectives, the abolition of the slave trade and the reformation of manners." This great burden laid on his heart throughout his life, and gave him little leave for rest. He believed that the two were related, for without the reformation of manners through addressing cultural malaise, it would be nearly impossible to abolish the slave trade. It was within this context that Wilberforce wrote A Practical View of Christianity (originally titled A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians, in the Middle and Higher Classes in this Country, Contrasted with Real Christianity). He hoped to challenge the nominal Christianity of the middle and upper classes of England and to inspire the nation with a fresh view of a religion whose goal was not empty ritual, but transformation through Christ. The book sent a shockwave throughout the nation, and has been crediting with helping to start the second Great Awakening of England. Wilberforce was a saint in every sense of the word. He restlessly fought for the abolition of the slave trade, presenting motion after motion for abolition, each in turn being thrown out by Parliament, until at last in 1807, Wilberforce's bill passed. Yet he did not stop with the abolition of the slave trade. Wilberforce dedicated nearly two decades thereafter to securing the complete emancipation of the slaves in England. With a circle of trusted friends known as the "Clapham Circle," Wilberforce proved how a small group can change history. That so recent a saint left to posterity a fine piece of literature that both warns us of religious nominalism and inspires us to greater depths of God-honoring conducts proves how blessed we have bene by Wilberforce. We have not only his legacy of freeing the slaves, but also, his words passed down to us with the same crispness and relevance that they had two hundred years ago. The entire book is riddled with so many scriptural citations that one cannot doubt that Wilberforce had the heart of a man who loved and sought to honor God. 2. Review Wilberforce sets out to trace the "chief defects of the religious system of the bulk of professed Christians" in England. He points out that "their low idea of the importance of Christianity in general, their inadequate conceptions of all its leading doctrines, and the effect hereby naturally produced in relaxing the strictness of its practical system." He distinguishes these "nominal" believers from "true" believers, stating that the Christianity of the nominal believers "is not Christianity." Wilberforce does not set out to "vindicate the Divine origin" of Christianity, but he continually touts the Christian faith, for whenever it has at all prevailed, Christianity "has raised the general standard o

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.

Even though I am not at all a fundamentalist and usually stay clear of books that take a more "evangelical" stance, at the advice of a friend I decided to read this book, and I am glad that I did. Wilberforce obviously spent a great deal of time deciding what to say, and in finding examples to support his arguments, which are from biblical, literary and real-life sources. One of the most refreshing things about his style is that (unlike other Christian authors I have read) he does not feel the need to "talk down" to the reader or condemn them for not instantly believing something when they have been given no proof of its validity or even logic. He appeals to an educated audience and methodically covers a variety of topics that (hence the title) have many applications to real life. Most of the things that he argues make perfect sense and cause the reader to wonder how it is that they hadn't thought of it before. I also appreciate his passion- once can tell in many parts how strong his belief was, and it's easy to see how he could have been such an eloquent orator. The only thing that I disagreed with was his condemnation of plays and the opera, but this is probably because I am myself in training to be a professional musician. In sum, I would say that this is an excellent book, and a good choice for the Christian that is tired of the lack of erudition and reason in modern devotional literature.

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.