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Rating:  -
In reading through this book, I experienced a range of emotions. At first, I was confused because Finney spends an enormous amount of time building up a "toolbox" of principles that is not immediately apparent where he is going. Components of this toolbox you will have never encountered before and will sound very strange. Thus the first 1/4-1/3 of the book left me unsatisfied and to be honest, I almost stopped reading the book. But then, everything began to come together and I could see how incredibly powerful this toolbox that he developed was. He essentially formulates Christianity, in the tradtion of Jonathan Edwards, using a moral government framework, where loving God and loving our neighbor is the "law of love" that is required of all moral agents.
That probably sounds very abstract, but it will absolutely blow you away. During some parts of the book, I was nearly crying because I saw for the first time how deficient my previous understanding of Christianity was. This book ultimately completely transformed my walk and understanding of the Bible.
The book is very honest, and very well crafted. Unlike most Systematic Theologies, it reads like a fireball of reason.
I wish that everyone, both admirers and critics of Finney, would read this book in its entirety. Do not get discouraged in the first part, just be patient. It really will revolutionize your understanding of the gospel.
Rating:  -
It is true that Charles Finney was labeled a heretic even before his death. His holiness stance and doctrine on human depravity caught many people off gaurd. But what happened in the case of Finney has happen to many others as well, including Arminius, Wesley, and Fletcher. In fact, during the 1700 and 1800's Reformed theology was so well received that if anyone disagreed with it, they were labeled heretics and persecuted, sometimes to the point of death. These un-Christian acts could never line up with Scripture, which led many to question those of the Reform position as to why they would tolerate such evil acts toward their fellow man. This, in turn, led to a re-examination of Reformed theology and those who taught it, which is still on-going even today.
Understandably, many die-hard Calvinist are hell-bent on trying to hold on to their position in an age where Calvinism is slowing dying. But what is amazing is that they are either ignorant or just ignoring today's Calvinist scholarship altogether, and are continuing to live in the past. It is true that Charles Finney did not hold to a "sin nature" that was transferred from one human to the next. This was one of the main reasons he has been labeled a heretic. Nevertheless, current Calvinistic scholarship has started coming to some similar conclusions regarding "sin nature" on their own. This is even being taught in some calvinistic seminaries. One example of this is at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Douglas Moo, professor of New Testament and Theology, (who by the way is a 5-point calvinist) has question the historical teaching on "sin nature" in his Romans Commentary (New International Commentary, pp.316-329). He states, among other things, that original sin may be an "offense to reason" (check it out for yourselves). This is just one example of many.
The point here is that too many are too eager just to use the label "heretic" whenever it disagrees with what they believe or have been taught. Charles Finney's Systematic Theology is dynamic and very challenging, especially for Calvinist's. Nonetheless, it remains a classic in Christian theology. If one would take the time to read it and compare it to Scripture and current Scholarship (in and outside Reformed circles), one would see that there is more truth here than meets the eye. God's Spirit must lead in truth, not man's current understanding of theology. I highly recommend this book, not because I agree with everyting in it, but because it will truly cause a person to "make their calling and election sure." We are to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling" and Finney's Systematic Theology helps one to do just that. There will always be those who will dismiss Finney just because of what history has said about him, but history is proving Finney less of a heretic year after year. Don't judge a book by it's cover.
With love and respect for all...
Rating: -
The most thorough and authoritative discussion I have ever seen. Though probably not for new christians as his language is very deep and legal sounding. Remember, Finney was a lawyer before his conversion. For those who know their bibles at all, this book will answer many questions and shed light on many "false" doctrines being shoved down peoples' throats in our churches today. These false doctrines dilute the effectiveness of the ministry and quench the fires of revival. It is no wonder that there is little true revival today. For anyone truly interested in revival (new christians included) let me recommend Finney's "Lectures on Revival" to learn how to have personal revival, then his "Autobiography of Charles Finney" to see real life examples of what happens when his theology is preached, and then return to this book, which is a must read after you understand the others. A word for those of you who criticize his theology: I wonder if any of you have truly read his works with an open mind (if at all), and whether you have the spiritual insight to realize that what you are preaching is NOT WORKING. Look at America today. Let's wake up and smell the coffee. God did not give us a powerless bible, for the gospel is "the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth", Rom. 1:16.
Notice "to EVERYONE that BELIEVETH". Note 1) it was to everyone that believed and not just to those chosen, and 2) they believed, they didn't just sit and wait for God to come their way. As I quoted in other reviews, one preacher said, "They criticize his theology, but they can't match his power." Please just read the book.
Rating:  -
The previous reviewers who declared Finney as heretical are correct. It is better to stay with Reformation theology as exhibited in Hodge, Berkhof, Reymond, and the like. I used to be an Arminian, so I know how ignorant Arminians can be. It will usually take a lot of patience and explaining -- and the special grace of God -- to get them out of their heretical position. Arminianism is comfortable, since it allows the adherents to remain in their false sense of autonomy with what seems to be a biblical basis. The other reviews are sufficient, so I will not add anything else here.
I would instead recommend books by Gordon Clark and Vincent Cheung. Search the web for "trinity foundation" and "vincent cheung", and I think you will find them. Cheung's books are free for download.
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It appears our anti-Finney scholar in Canada is striking at as many Finney books as he can, just pasting in his anti-Finney disgust. Have you read any of Finneys books? Give us a quote, something to go on. This is a book review section and I will clearly state that Finney found great success and admiration in preaching a commited lifestyle to Christ, not on the basis of works saving you but on commitment as the Bible speaks clearly of. Dont spend your life against someone who has done so much good. If you have something good, spread that around! But as it were some live a disgruntled life with one passion, to angrily refute anyone who doesn't acknowledge their doctrine.
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