Discourses Upon the Existence and Attributes of God

Words really fail to describe how breathtaking this book is. Not mainly because of the author, but because of the subject - God himself. I can't think of any book I've read that has left me more stunned and awed by God and his majesty. Charnock was a Puritan, so this book may be cumbersome to those unaccustomed to Elizabethan English. But if you can handle the KJV, you can handle this. It is also a comprehensive book - long, despite the fact that the chapters are really just lengthy meditations put in a sermonic form. Characteristically Puritan, Charnock begins each chapter with the exposition of a text, then develops its "doctrine," bridging into a lengthy theological study on one of God's attributes, finally ending on the "use" or application. The application sections are especially helpful and heart-searching, but really all of it is good. Though, I must confess I've not read it all (this book must be 1200 pages long!), I've benefited from the hours I've spent in these pages. No human author will ever write an exhaustive study on the character of God, but I can't imagine anyone coming closer to it than Charnock. This is a powerful, powerful book!

I have been looking for an excellent book to help me understand and get some insight into the attributes and nature of our God. This book definitely does the trick and make me really satisfactory. I do give it a 5.0 rating because of its excellency and in depth. One thing you should know of is the dated English style of the author. It was written in the 17th century, so it is somewhat difficult for me, especially as a foreigner, to read and understand his writing. From what I have read, the author had done an excellent work. I highly recommend this book for everyone who want to know God better and better.

Stephen Charnock's classic work is THE most thorough work on the subject. If you could only own one book on the existence and attributes of God, this is the one to own. Be forwarned: this is not a book that you can casually read like you would most other books. This book is for the serious-minded individual who has set his mind to intense study mode; but, then again, every Christian could stand to give his brain the kind of workout that is the mental equivalent of going through Navy SEAL training. Charnock thoroughly and carefully presents his arguments supporting the existence of God and explaining who God is through His attributes. While there are certainly books on the subject that are easier to read, none come close to the depth and quality of this one. However, if you must find something simpler, try A. W. Pink's The Attributes of God and A. W. Tozer's two-volume work by the same title; though Pink and Tozer are theologial heavyweights in their own right.

I have never in all of my life read a more excellent book other than the Bible explaining in intimate detail of God's attributes. Since this preacher was known in his day for his outstanding detail to his writings, this is a must read. It must be read slowly as someone else said, a bit at a time. I have been moved to tears at times as I've read this book and it has blessed me tremendously.

This is one of, if not the best, theology proper texts still in print. Not only does Charnock discuss the attributes/nature of God, he also, in the first two chapters, discusses the existence of God and the inconsistency of atheism. The discourses (or chapters) in the book consists of The Existence of God, Practical Atheism, God's Being a Spirit, the Eternity of God, the Immutability of God, God's Omnipresence, God's Knowledge, and the Wisdom of God. There is a section in the book that is devoted to the life and character of Charnock by WM. Symington, D.D.. Other topics that Charnock discusses include God's goodness, holiness, power, wisdom, dominion, and patience. There are no wasted words in this book. Everything Charnock says is direct, poignant, and extremely important to the topic at hand. This may sound like an exaggeration. If it does then I challenge you to buy the book and read for it yourself and you will see why I place this book in the top twenty list of all the books I have read.