Reading A Sure Guide To Heaven by Joseph Alleine. This book is like Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God sermon by Johnathan Edwards expanded into book form. It is filled with the most ominous, apocalyptic threats against sinners and is a grim introduction to the Puritan mind on Soteriology, Hamartiology, etc. It seems disproportionate with condemnations vis-a-vis the Balm of Giliad. The original title Alarm to the Unconverted is more suitable. Nevertheless this book does justice to its original title and might benefit the complacent unbeliever. Suggestions of more balanced approaches (books) on this subject appreciated.
A euphemistic title for a 'puritanical' book
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Hello there and welcome to this forum.
The Sermon you refer to by Johnathon Edwards, of 1741, of a Puritan, is balanced and appropriate, then and today, in the sense of the message he wanted to convey to his congregation, in very strong terms. The title is appropriate, that true sinners are not being saved then and today. he wanted to awaken them, even those in his midst.
The last words I read of his sermon summarize it well...
"Therefore, let every one that is out of Christ, now awake and fly from the wrath to come. The wrath of Almighty God is now undoubtedly hanging over a great part of this congregation. Let every one fly out of Sodom: “Haste and escape for your lives, look not behind you, escape to the mountain, lest you be consumed.”"
Cool!
I can't believe I've never even heard of it, because I've only read about 10,000 works of theology and apologetics.
For those so inclined, here it is: Amazon.com
I always find that attempting to recommend or discuss books on forums such as this never goes anywhere. I don't get the feeling most of those who participate on forums are exactly voracious readers. I really can't think of anything in that vein that I'd recommend. Darn few people are reading 17th century works these days, so you're to be commended.
I can't believe I've never even heard of it, because I've only read about 10,000 works of theology and apologetics.
For those so inclined, here it is: Amazon.com
I always find that attempting to recommend or discuss books on forums such as this never goes anywhere. I don't get the feeling most of those who participate on forums are exactly voracious readers. I really can't think of anything in that vein that I'd recommend. Darn few people are reading 17th century works these days, so you're to be commended.
For those in need of some light reading with their morning Cocoa Puffs, here is Jonathan Edwards' hugely influential 1741 sermon, "Sinners In the Hands of An Angry God" -
The Christian Classics Ethereal Library is a goldmine of Christian classics.
The Christian Classics Ethereal Library is a goldmine of Christian classics.
Behold
Well-Known Member
Randy Kluth
Well-Known Member
I haven't read it, but I will say that it's difficult to find a correct balance between judgment and mercy. But that's our job....
Randy Kluth
Well-Known Member
Now, this piqued my interest because I have a private sense of inferiority, brought on by the fact my entire birth family were voracious readers and I was not--at least not in the mold they were.
Whether technical, historical, or philosophical, or just purely for fun reading, they read and read. I remember my brother, as a little kid, starting Xmas vacation with as many books under his arms as he could carry.
What about me? I read comic books!! I read everything, Marvel and DC, I could get my hands on. I collected them from used stores, from convenience stores. I read my brother's comic books!
(Of course, this was just childhood.)Why am I saying this? There may be others out there like me who feel somewhat inadequate for not reading as much as they could have, for not filling in all of the blanks that they could have. In reality, we have individual gifts and individual priorities.
Here on this site there are people who can learn some important truths, even if not *all* of them. The Bible calls out for us to be like personified "Wisdom," who cries out in the streets and in the market places, "Listen to wisdom. Do not be tempted. Hear God's Law. Hear God's Word. It will be to you a tree of life."
Proverbs 1.20 Out in the open wisdom calls aloud,
she raises her voice in the public square;
21 on top of the wall she cries out,
at the city gate she makes her speech:
22 “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways?
How long will mockers delight in mockery
and fools hate knowledge?
23 Repent at my rebuke!
Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
I will make known to you my teachings."
Don't share just among the philosophers but wherever there are hungry hearts and willing listeners. God's Word goes everywhere, and there will be fruitfulness.
We don't all have to be "voracious readers," or readers of ancient documents. But if we love God and His Word, we can certainly be responsible with the basic essentials. And that is my biggest concern here. Hopefully, there will be information that helps those who dig like kings for deeper riches.
quietthinker
Well-Known Member
Portraying the God of unfathomable love as one who displays the characteristics of Satan is the abomination of desolation.
The world has been captured by a retributive God even the religious world in general.....and for those who love this approach, the Good News is reversed and becomes 'good' advice. Observing the focus reveals the direction.
Behold
Well-Known Member
The abomination of desolation is a description that Jesus gives, in Matthew 24.
It has nothing to do with "characteristics"., as its speaking of a actual situation... that will happen, in the Grt Trib.
I think you're being too kind. As I described it on another thread this morning, the Good News becomes the Rather Hideous News.
quietthinker
Well-Known Member
Behold
Well-Known Member
What i posted is what Jesus actually stated in Matt 24:15.
He's talking about a literal situation that will occur in the Grt Trib that will been SEEN, and that is what makes it an abomination.
Its intentionally done out of disrespect to God Almighty, and it will be SEEN..
quietthinker
Well-Known Member
'By their fruits you will know them'. It's got everything to do with characteristics. Can we really conclude that he who said 'love your enemies' will torment those who oppose him for eternity? That surely is an abomination and one embraced distorts what God's character is actually like. Further, peddled and defended can only result in desolation.
We are commissioned to share good news not write books with titles like 'Sinners in the hand of an angry God'
Herein one can tell what consumes the thinking of the author
quietthinker
Well-Known Member
Behold
Well-Known Member
Listen.
Let me explain the A. OF D>
There was a time that Satan was an anointed Cherub. A Cherub is a winged "higher authority" class of Heavenly Host.
You can find 2 of them, if you research any photo or illustration regarding the : "ARK of the Covenant'.
LUCIFER, became Satan, falling from Heaven, and Jesus said He saw Him fall as "lighting".
He is referred to as a "light bearer".. which means a "knowledge bringer".
This is why Paul refers to him as an "Angel of Light", but the light He brings is DARK Light, ...
And People who are ultra deceived by Him, who are Religious or even born again are : Luke 11:35.
In Heaven, Lucifer "fell" into sin in His heart, and "iniquity was found IN HIM.."
3 Of them.
Murder.
Father of Lies
And Pride.
The Pride was that He became so VAIN that He wanted to be not just be God, but be elivated on a Throne superior to God's.
Now, when he returns as the AntiChrist, The Beast, that begins the Trib, He is going to deceive most of the World into thinking that he is "Christ" and will be a religious leader, a "man of Peace".
ISLAM believes he is the Savior.......their MAHDI
This will mark the beginning of the Trib, that is a 7 yr period that strictly followed the end of the "time of the Gentiles".
The second half of the Trib, is called the GREAT Trib, and at that time, Satan will on Earth proclaim Himself as what He was trying to DO, In heaven.
And that is the "Abomination of Desolation", and it will be VIEWED.. He will be seen doing it by everyone who was not born again in the "time of the Gentiles"....., as He will be in control of your SCREEN.
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quietthinker
Well-Known Member
Behold
Well-Known Member
In the Great Trib , the "fruit of the Anti-Christ" (One of them)... will be Matthew 24:15.
The constant "fruit" of the Devil is "Evil" and that has many forms of Lust.
He causes it, personally, or He uses people to commit it.
When he causes people to commit evil, who are not born again.... they are defined by Jesus as : " the LUST of = YOUR FATHER, you shall/will do".
Nancy
Well-Known Member
That is my by far, favorite of C.S.'s books. I read it in the 90's and have read it several times over. How accurately he shows the wiles of Satan and his messing with our thoughts. Really opens your eyes to the works of evil in the lives of Christians.
Behold
Well-Known Member