Christian in Complete Armour Volume 1

Following David Wilkerson into a study of Puritan writers I find this book is immediate and compelling, about the Christian walk in a completely vital way. It could have been written today, except no one today knows this stuff. Its refreshing to read about the Christian life without the materialism that modern religion has now appended to it. My version is abridged and I am happy with that. Already know I will need to read the next two volumes.

I had this book years ago when I was a young Christian. William Gurnall not only understands the Scripture, but he articulates exactly what we need to not only survive attacks from the Evil One, but to thrive in our relationship with the Lord Yeshua our Messiah. I recommend the entire set, but each volume can be read separately, each incredibly enriching to the spirit and soul.

This is the Hardback unabridged edition. Having both, let me highly recommend the unabridged. Let not the size scare you it is written in a manner so friendly as to be able to read a chapter lay it meditate pick it up 3 weeks later and read another. The chapters even the subsections can stand on their own not needing the before or after sections to be blessed with what you are then reading. I spent five years reading the book not because it is hard but because it is so clear and the sentences so full as to make you pause and say yes that is right, amen, Let me rejoice in this awhile. I would some times not be able to get back to it for weeks. Pick it up where I left off, with out reviewing the previous section to regain and understanding of what I was reading. Now I have to review Lois Lamore to do the same I am not that smart but This writer is that clear and plain. I recommend you skip The intro by R C Sproul(a great man) And just Begin with Gurnall writing, You will not Be Disappointed. God Bless and He does and will Bless you as you read The Christian in Complete Armour. The most Bible filled book ever written apart from the Bible it self.

Someone once said that if they were stranded on a desert island with a choice of only two books, they would be the Bible and Gurnall's "Complete Armour," hands down I would concur, only to the point that after having the time to read, digest and perhaps memorize both, I would pray for rescue, so I could then share with the world the living water which flows from these written sources!Of course, Gurnall is not Scripture. But he so deftly defines and expounds on the Scripture passages of Eph 6 using Scripture, that this book is extremely helpful in understanding Paul's vision from God regarding Eph 6!Nearly every page has a quote you will long to write in the margins of your Bible. The problem is, many of the quotes refer to multiple Scripture passages. An example is this quote, "Were there no devils, you would still have your hands full resisting the corruption of your own heart." That quote could find proof texting in Jer 17:9, Eccl 9:3, Matt 13:15 AND Mark 7:21-22!This is a book that will very likely change your world-view. Read this book, and follow it up with Lloyd-Jones' "I Am Not Ashamed." You will never be the same.

Christian in Complete Armour, The, (vol. 1, a modernized abridgement), by William Gurnall - Banner of Truth 1986 ISBN 0851514561 This book was originally written in three volumes between 1655 and 1662. It appears that in his time, William Gurnall was looked on as somewhat of a maverick and not accepted well by his peers. The reason for this was that although Gurnall was a Puritan preacher, he did not secede from the Church of England with the majority of Puritan preachers after the English Civil War and the "great dividing of the Church". Rather he chose to remain a part of the Church of England while still maintaining his Puritan views. Thus it was that neither side of the divided church accepted him as their own. Soon after his death however, many on both sides came to find unparalleled depth and insight in his work. Charles Spurgeon, the great English preacher and evangelist of the last century commented that Gurnall's work is "peerless and priceless; every line full of wisdom". John Newton, converted slave trader and author of "Amazing Grace", said: "If I might read only one book beside the Bible I would choose, "The Christian in Complete Armour." Dave Wilkerson said concerning this book: "Leonard Ravenhill, a very godly friend, gave me a copy of 'The Christian in Complete Armour' with these solemn words, "This book is going to revolutionize your life. It has had a profound effect on my life, and I believe you are prepared to receive its message now." Says Wilkerson: "at first I put the book aside; it was too long, too wordy, and written in 17th century English. Out of curiosity, I later scanned the first 25 pages. That is all it took to bring me to my knees. Gurnall, the pious puritan, had touched something deep within me. His were such probing, scorching, searing words that they shook my inner man. I devoured the book with great zeal." Later Wilkerson went on to say: "I will forever bless the day it was placed in my hands." This book, now in modern English, is a treasure, and to those who are serious Christians and consider themselves mature in the faith, we at "The Christian Home Shopper", highly recommend and endorse this book. Christian in Complete Armour, The, (vol. 2, a modernized abridgement), by William Gurnall - Banner of Truth 08515150 See Christian in Complete Armour (vol. 1) for descriptive information. Christian in Complete Armour, The, (modern abridgement one volume edition), by William Gurnall - Soverign Grace Trust Fund Publishing 1989 hardbound After the Bible The Christian in Complete Armour is truly one of the greatest Christian books in print.

The Christian in Complete Armour (C.I.C.A.) has transformed my life. Gurnall presents a look at the spiritual world like no other modern day writer I have read. His grasp of how we do battle with Satan and the world and the flesh, brings a level of maturity to my spiritual life that I have never experienced before.Do you desire for a deeper spiritual relationship with the Father? Are you frequently frustrated with your feeble attempts to resist sin and the Devil? You will transformed from a green boot camp grunt into a battle-hardened soldier of Christ after reading this book. If you'd rather be a valiant spiritual warrior on the order of magnitude of Genghis Khan or Alexander the great, but you feel like Custer, you must read this book!This book is the military handbook for your spirit. The first rule of military engagement is know your opponent -- know his weapons, his strenths, his weaknesses, his numbers, his strategy, etc. Gurnall lays it out for you! Don't go into spiritual battle without it!

I have never read any work penned by the hand of man that has had a more profound impact on my life, my thoughts, my actions, my deeds, and my spirituality as William Gurnall's The Christian in Complete Armour. Aside from the fact that he was educated at Cambridge University and pastored a church in Lavenham, England for approximately thirty-five years, we know very little of the man. Yet I cannot but believe, with firm conviction, that Almighty God guided the hand of Gurnall as he poured forth one of the greatest theological treatises of all time. It is beyond the scope of my mental faculties, which include both reason and imagination, to conceive of that man, Christian that he may indeed be, who is capable of reading this monumental work without repeatedly falling to his knees until unable to arise, and begging the mercy and forgiveness of his Lord, his God, his Savior. It is not a volume to be read and laid aside, but an unending source of illumination, conviction, exhortation, and exposition. In order to truly benefit from Gurnall's obvious work of love, one must be ever in prayer and deepest meditation. Be forewarned that The Christian in Complete Armour is, in the truest sense, a journey to the cross of Christ where one is left to discover not only his God, but his entire purpose for being. Once taken, it is a pilgrimage that you will desire to make often; a pilgrimage that will forever alter your life.