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Reading the Classics - Real Christianity (II)
- 03/12/09
- 12
This morning brings us to week two of this round of Reading the Classics Together. We are reading William Wilberforce's Real Christianity. Last week we covered the introductory matter, leaving us this week to read through the first chapter. I am going to provide just a few introductory thoughts and then invite your comments, questions or further discussion.
Discussion
William Wilberforce's A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians, in the Higher and Middle Classes in This Country Contrasted with Real Christianity was first published in 1797. However, but for the antiquated language and the references to the Church of England, it could just as easily have been written in modern day North America. What afflicted Christianity in Wilberforce's day afflicts Christianity today, and especially so, I think, in the United States. Where Christianity is assumed, moralism prevails. It is a concern for us today as it was for Wilberforce in his day. Real Christianity is his attempt to help his readers discern true faith from false beliefs; true faith from mere moralism done in the name of God. But "with Christianity, professing Christians are little acquainted." For so many people "attachment to Christianity is merely the result of early and groundless prepossession." "In a great measure, the bulk of the Christian world knows so little, and mistakes so greatly, the foundational principles of the religions that it professes!"Wilberforce proposes examining professing Christians by listening to "the unreserved conversation of their confidential hours" because "here, if anywhere, one sees the interior of the heart laid open." And here we will see that many people show few traces of real Christianity. Their faith is shown to the public and in polite, convenient circles; but when they are alone, their faith means nothing, their faith is nothing.
Real Christianity, says Wilberforce, forms itself from the study of the Scriptures while this fraudulent Christianity forms itself from commonly received maxims of Christendom. He describes this as a "voluntary ignorance." "When God of His goodness has granted us such abundant means of instruction, how great must be the guilt, and how awful must be the punishment, of voluntary ignorance!" Here is a quote that stood out to me as a challenge: "Bountiful as is the hand of Providence, it does not bestow its gifts to deduce us into laziness. It bestows gifts to arouse us to exertion. ... Yet we expect to be Christians without labor, study, or inquiry!" In other words, God's gracious provision of his Word should not causes us to be complacent but should cause us to work hard, to work earnestly, to devour it, to know it, to live it. In fact, the only way we can really know the value of Christianity is to exert ourselves in the study of Scripture. It is by studying our faith that we will know the value of our faith!
As the chapter draws to a close, Wilberforce offers two reasons why people who profess to be Christian may actually persist in a state of "lamentable ignorance." The first suggests that "it signifies little what a man believes; look to his practice." The second, related to the first, suggests that "sincerity is all in all." We see both of these just as clearly and just as often today; I've often thought they are related to the postmodern mindset that pervades the culture and the church today, but Wilberforce writes from centuries before the dawn of postmodernism. Perhaps such lamentable ignorance is a universal product of sin and not something connected to any one culture force or worldview.
I was both surprised and delighted at just how relevant Wilberforce's words are to us today. I am looking forward to continuing through this book!
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband to Aileen and a father to three young children. I write books and blogs for fun while doing web design and consulting for a living. I worship and serve at 
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Comments (12)
Tim,I admire your brevity. Obviously you reined yourself in desiring comments from other readers. I found I could not do nearly as well.
As you said, this book is so relevant to today, I find it almost unbelieveable it was written so long ago. On the other hand, Solomon did say there is nothing new under the sun.
Because my own reflections were so lengthy, I actually split them into three posts. Since you offered us the option of including a link to our own comments, here is a link to part one of mine: http://christianlivingtoday.today.com/2009/03/08/real-christianity-chapter-1-part-1-of-3/
For the sake of discussion, I will add the following to your post. You mentioned Wilberforce's reference to our conversation and Bible reading. Key points upon which to judge the 'reality' of our conversion, without doubt.
However, I believe his points on the instruction of our children and the condition of our country are just as important and relevant. How many Christians are content to turn the education of their children over to government schools which do everything within their power to deface God's name? How many families fail to establish a family altar?
Furthermore, how many Christians see any point - or need - to be involved in government? Wilberforce's own life reveals the power of godly men in government.
I also felt the author's closing remarks were extremely relevant. His words, a warning to the indolent, need to be heeded by us all. For as both the Sermon on the Mount and the book of James point out, as Christians we MUST test our faith. How great would be the tragedy if one were reach heaven's gates only to find them barred to their entrance. God forbid we should 'think' ourselves Christians but not 'know' ourselves Christians.
Wilberforce said, “Great indeed are our opportunities, great also is our responsibility. . .should the long suffering of God still continue to us the mercies which we so abuse, it will only aggravate our crime, and in the end, enhance our punishment. . .what plea can we have to urge in our defense, if we remain willingly and obstinately ignorant of the way which leads to life, with such transcendent means of knowing it, and such urgent motives to its pursuit?”
I agree with Tim regarding the suprising application of Wilberforce's writing to today's Christian culture. Christianity may have jumped over the pond and aged a few hundred years, but it really hasn't changed a great deal when it comes to daily practice in the life of the average church member. Wilberforce's words were almost a mirror of a book I recently read by Ronald Sider, Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience, and even very similar to some of Michael Horton's assesments in his most recent book, Christless Christianity.
This was a great choice for this session of reading. I have posted my favorite quotes from this first chapter at my blog: www.dormroomtheology.blogspot.com.
I, too, recognized the timeliness of this chapter. I really do believe that this timeliness is integral to the labeling of a book as a 'classic'.
I focused on the relevancy and current 'feel' of the attacks Real Christianity were coming under. Here is a small part of what I wrote in my blog:
The author refers to the attackers as “puny assailants” (p7) and gives an inventory of the attackers’ weaponry; cavils, gibes, and sarcasms. Cavils are trivial objections whereas gibes are facetious or insulting remarks. They are suitable partners to the sarcasms which round out the weapons of Christianity’s antagonists in the 1790s. This list of verbal arms is reminiscent of a current barrage that Christianity has encountered from ‘The New Atheists’.
For the rest of my blog on this chapter: http://quercuscalliprinos.blogspot.com/2009/03/wilberforce-versus-new-athiests.html
"However, I believe his points on the instruction of our children and the condition of our country are just as important and relevant." Lerrina, this, as a parent, jumped out at me too!
"Perhaps such lamentable ignorance is a universal product of sin and not something connected to any one culture force or worldview." Tim, I think you are correct!
Being a teacher at a Christian high school, I found Wilberforce's words about training children up in the Scriptures very powerful:
"In an age wherein it is confessed and lamented that infidelity abounds, do we observe in them any remarkable care to instruct their children in the principles of the faith which they profess, and to furnish them with arguments for the defence of it? They would blush, on their child’s coming out into the world, to think him defective in any branch of that knowledge, or of those accomplishments which belong to his station in life, and accordingly these are cultivated with becoming assiduity. But he is left to collect his religion as he may; the study of Christianity has formed no part of his education, and his attachment to it (where any attachment to it exists at all) is, too often, not the preference of sober reason, but merely the result of early prejudice and groundless prepossession. He was born in a Christian country, of course he is a Christian; his father was a member of the church of England, so is he. When [Pg 3] such is the hereditary religion handed down from generation to generation, it cannot surprise us to observe young men of sense and spirit beginning to doubt altogether of the truth of the system in which they have been brought up, and ready to abandon a station which they are unable to defend. “
Indeed, he is "left to collect his religion where he may." This is too often the attitude of parents of my students.
I failed to bring my book in, but from the link passed last comment section, I copied a quote I thought impactful (especially considering the time frame):
The diligent perusal of the Holy Scriptures would discover to us our past ignorance. We should cease to be deceived by superficial appearances, and to confound the Gospel of Christ with the systems of philosophers; we should become impressed with that weighty truth, so much forgotten, and never to be too strongly insisted on, that Christianity calls on us, as we value our immortal souls, not merely in general, to be religious and moral, but specially to believe the doctrines, and imbibe the principles, and practise the precepts of Christ.
Slightly different from what I read (different editor), but still... And, to second a second (ooo, just now a third), yes, the instruction of children is definitely one that is close to home for me, too.
I did raise an eyebrow at what initially struck me as an anachronism. He used the word “concrete”. Of course, it’s a mid-centuries word, but it still seemed out of place to me (time-wise) and was perhaps inserted by the editor (actually, I assume). I didn’t comment on the introduction, but the full title also gave me a giggle of sorts.
I’m looking forward to the rest of this book.
I found chapter one to be powerful.
The following quotes spoke volumes to me:
{{If their children have any understanding of Christian faith at all, they probably have acquired it on their own}}
{{The big problem in these cases is the fact that these men and women have arrived at their conclusions apart from any study of the Bible. The Bible sits dusty on the shelf. These people are biblically illiterate. Their knowledge of the Bible is that of a child.}}
These are two huge areas not only for me but for many. I am a baby... not by lack of knowing but by lack of doing and learning.... in my Christian walk so this chapter seemed very relevant to me personally and to our society today on a whole.
I blogged about this chapter. Nothing profound from me but simply what stood out and spoke to me.
http://ibeeeg.blogspot.com/2009/03/reading-classics-real-christianity-by.html
I finally watched the movie “Amazing Grace” last Saturday. If you haven’t seen it yet, I recommend it. It got me even more fired up to read Wilberforce’s writings. John Piper also tells more of his story here. It’s worth reading or listening to.
Ditto about the relevancy to the U.S. in 2009 equaling that of England in the 1700’s. We NEED to ask ourselves—what do I mean when I say, “I’m a Christian”? Is my lifestyle proving it, or is just empty words?
I liked the tests that Wilberforce indirectly suggests: 1. Are you teaching it to your children? 2. Do you talk about it outside of “church”? 3. Do you spend time studying its sacred text, the Bible?
If we answer, “No, no, and no”, we might need to rethink what our “religion” really is.
A few more thoughts are posted here:http://lisanotes.blogspot.com/2009/03/3-questions-to-ask-christians-from-real.html
Wilberforce grabs a baseball bat, whacks us in the head, and tells us that a great many Christians are lazy, ill informed, and therefore subject to the wiles of Satan himself.
Picture a man with a huge beer gut, the television remote teetering on his big ole' belly, sleeping on the coach, delirious to reality.
This is the typical "Christian". I know, I used to be one.
If you like, I even have a picture of him, on my blog: http://tinyurl.com/aoc6p5
Living in Nashville where there is seemingly a church on every corner and everyone professes to be a Christ-follower, I see little difference between the late 1700's and now in the manner of behavior and verbal profession of those I meet or work with. I am grateful for God's grace and mercy in my life but am reminded that my new creature demands a new lifestyle and response for in this may be the only reflection of Christ that others around me sees. Having also returned from a recent trip to Israel and observing traditions and even God's Word passed down from generations, I was put to shame by my lack of training and instructing my four children to the deep and wonderful truths of my Savior. Our teaching is often way too frothy and superficial. May it not be so!
"Though the Gospel had been predicted, prayed and longed for, announced, characterized and rejoiced in, we scarcely accept this heavenly treasure even when it is poured in our lap in rich abundance. We turn from it coldly or, at best, possess it negligently as a thing of no estimation."
These words convicted me of my lack of reverence for the Holy Scriptures. There is usually not a day that goes by that I don't spend some amount of time reading in them, but sometimes I find myself rushing through a passage just to finish reading it so I can move on with the rest of my day. I read it as if it was just like any other book on my bookshelf. I was also convicted as I read this chapter of comparing myself to other believers I know who do not spend as much time as I do studying the Scriptures. I kept thinking to myself "Boy, so and so should really read this book so they can be convicted to start reading the Bible more". I could definitely feel the Holy Spirit showing me the pride in my sinful heart.I have also been encouraged to be more diligent in teaching my children about our Christian faith. This is a huge responsibility that God has given us as parents that we should not take lightly.
Thanks Tim for the great insight on the first chapter. When I read page 39, I had to stop and examine my own prayer life and how I am often "grateful for health and talents, affluence, and other temporal possessions." This was a great reminder to fall in love with the giver.
As a homeschooling mother of three, Wilberforce's words hit close to home... "Or do they furnish their children with arguments for the defense of that faith? ... it is not surprising to find youth of sense and spirit beginning to question the truth of the system in which they were brought up. And it is not surprising to see them abandon a position that they are unable to defend." I wonder how will the children of well-intentioned Christians fare in this society of ours; children who are tucked in with bedtime prayers, who learn of God at church from an animated Cucumber and a Tomato?
Also, Wilberforce states, "When God of His goodness has granted us such abundant means of instruction..." I wonder if Satan hasn't twisted this in the same way you talked about consumerism in your post Endless Choice, Endless Discontent Which is why I suppose for me, reading the classics is even more appealing.