Several important evangelical Christians have proclaimed Charles Finney to be a great hero with regards to spreading Christianity in the NorthEast.
These individuals include Chuck Smith and Billy Graham. Both of these men are sound believers, although I would disagree with them in some non-essential areas.
Anyways, is it true that Charles Finney was a great evangelist?
My response: NO.
He was trained as a lawyer, and used his carnal knowledge to formulate a theology that appeals to man. Man wants to think he earns his salvation through works, and man cannot understand naturally how another man's works (Jesus) can be given to him as a free gift. Charles Finney denied the biblical teachings in this area and created a Pelagian system, which is based on human reasoning and human works. It does not exalt the LORD Jesus as Savior, but merely makes him a moral example.
And, I am shocked that Chuck Smith and Billy Graham would endorse such a wolf in sheep's clothing. I am wondering if either one of them actually read his teachings in depth. I think they were just relying on the claim that Finney produced a lot of "converts" (by the way, within a short period of time, most of his "converts" fell away, and the general area he preached was the breeding ground for various cults including Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, Mormonism, and Seventh Day Adventism).
And, there are several "evangelists" who work from his belief system. They visit campuses around the USA and attempt to perpetuate their belief system. These include Jesse Morrell, Kerrigan Skelly, Jed Smock, Dean Saxton, Mitch Metzger, Clarence "Bro Cope" Cope, and various other street/campus preachers. They are particularly well known for accusing young men on campus of homosexuality and masturbation, and young women of being promiscuous, randomly and without any justification.
If you doubt me, watch some videos..particularly Clarence "Bro Cope" Cope at UofA. There is a four part video series on Youtube where he is issuing these kinds of claims to young people passing him.
The good news is that they have few converts. That is because all they really preach is condemnation and wrath, and little grace and mercy.
This is because they deny core evangelical teachings, including justification by faith alone, imputed righteousness, original sin, and substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ on the Cross. They teach that the believer must remain sinless during his lifetime.
Sometimes their denial is through re-definition. For instance, they may claim that Jesus' sacrifice justified the believer, but that's only a one-time event, and after that, you must be re-justified each time you sin. So, they re-define terms in an attempt to fool folks into thinking they are orthodox, but it is a simple shell game.
Make no mistake..I believe that God's wrath and condemnation against sinners is a core element of the gospel. One must hear the bad news before they can appreciate the good news. But, the kind of smut talk and accusations these guys use is actually a negative witness toward Christianity.
Anyways, the poll is simple..was Charles Finney a heretic, or not? Have you run across such individuals?
Also, real Christians should realize that Charles Finney's theology is the absolute last place you should go for sound Christian beliefs. Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology is representative of evangelical Christian beliefs.
These individuals include Chuck Smith and Billy Graham. Both of these men are sound believers, although I would disagree with them in some non-essential areas.
Anyways, is it true that Charles Finney was a great evangelist?
My response: NO.
He was trained as a lawyer, and used his carnal knowledge to formulate a theology that appeals to man. Man wants to think he earns his salvation through works, and man cannot understand naturally how another man's works (Jesus) can be given to him as a free gift. Charles Finney denied the biblical teachings in this area and created a Pelagian system, which is based on human reasoning and human works. It does not exalt the LORD Jesus as Savior, but merely makes him a moral example.
And, I am shocked that Chuck Smith and Billy Graham would endorse such a wolf in sheep's clothing. I am wondering if either one of them actually read his teachings in depth. I think they were just relying on the claim that Finney produced a lot of "converts" (by the way, within a short period of time, most of his "converts" fell away, and the general area he preached was the breeding ground for various cults including Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, Mormonism, and Seventh Day Adventism).
And, there are several "evangelists" who work from his belief system. They visit campuses around the USA and attempt to perpetuate their belief system. These include Jesse Morrell, Kerrigan Skelly, Jed Smock, Dean Saxton, Mitch Metzger, Clarence "Bro Cope" Cope, and various other street/campus preachers. They are particularly well known for accusing young men on campus of homosexuality and masturbation, and young women of being promiscuous, randomly and without any justification.
If you doubt me, watch some videos..particularly Clarence "Bro Cope" Cope at UofA. There is a four part video series on Youtube where he is issuing these kinds of claims to young people passing him.
The good news is that they have few converts. That is because all they really preach is condemnation and wrath, and little grace and mercy.
This is because they deny core evangelical teachings, including justification by faith alone, imputed righteousness, original sin, and substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ on the Cross. They teach that the believer must remain sinless during his lifetime.
Sometimes their denial is through re-definition. For instance, they may claim that Jesus' sacrifice justified the believer, but that's only a one-time event, and after that, you must be re-justified each time you sin. So, they re-define terms in an attempt to fool folks into thinking they are orthodox, but it is a simple shell game.
Make no mistake..I believe that God's wrath and condemnation against sinners is a core element of the gospel. One must hear the bad news before they can appreciate the good news. But, the kind of smut talk and accusations these guys use is actually a negative witness toward Christianity.
Anyways, the poll is simple..was Charles Finney a heretic, or not? Have you run across such individuals?
Also, real Christians should realize that Charles Finney's theology is the absolute last place you should go for sound Christian beliefs. Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology is representative of evangelical Christian beliefs.
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