Product Description

Just in time for the release of Amazing Grace, the movie about the life of William Wilberforce, is this edition of his classic book from 1797, Real Christianity, paraphrased in modern language and made more accessible to contemporary readers. This is the book that helped abolish the slave trade in the United Kingdom, and called Christians to live a more authentic life of faith more than 200 years ago. The timeless truths it contains will speak to readers in fresh ways today. Christians who eschew cultural Christianity in favor of a real faith in Christ will find the principles here thought-provoking and applicable. The social justice orientation will appeal to readers of Jim Wallis, Os Guinness, Charles Colson, Shane Claiborne, John Perkins, Bono, and Nancy Pearcy. Readers will also find the book is a good litmus test of the authenticity of their own faith.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #118503 in Books
• Published on: 2007-01-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 203 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780830743117
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From the Back Cover
Bob Beltz's adaptation of Wilberforce's original work will provide a needed challenge to all of us, because we're all constantly tempted to let an on-fire, vibrant, world-changing faith cool to a lukewarm 'conventional Christianity.' -- Brian McLaren, author/activist (brianmclaren.net). ---

'The gap between `real faith' and `cultural Christianity' is as wide today as at any time in history, so there is much we can learn from William Wilberforce's stirring - and highly successful - cry for reformation.' --- -- Os Guinness, author of Unspeakable: Facing up to the challenge of Evil. --- 'It's soul-stirring to sit at the feet of Wilberforce, a man God used to change the world.' -- Randy Alcorn, author of Heaven and Safely Home '

About the Author
As a member of Parliament, William Wilberforce (1759--1833) was the driving force behind England's abolition of slavery. He used his wealth and influence for a number of other good causes, including missions and the formation of the British and Foreign Bible Society. BOB BELTZ is a popular writer, speaker, and film producer. Currently, he oversees film development for the Anschutz Film Group, parent company of Walden Media (Holes, Because of Winn-Dixie, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Amazing Grace.) He s a graduate of Denver Seminary where he earned both his Master of Arts and Doctor of Ministry degrees. He is the author of several books, including Somewhere Fast and Becoming a Man of Prayer.

Customer Reviews

Paraphrased version
While it is my own fault for not examining the fine print, I was disappointed to find that this book was not the one written by Wilberforce. Rather it is a paraphrased version, containing a number of inappropriate word substitutes that alter the meaning dramatically.
I read "A Practical View of Real Christianity" by Wilberforce many years ago. This book is not that book. I should have been more cautious when attempting to purchase it again. Certainly the publisher could have been straightforward about who the author of this book is.

A superb edition of William Wilberforce's timeless classic.
Statesman and reformer William Wilberforce (1759-1833), best known for leading the 20-year fight to abolish the British slave trade, cared deeply about re-introducing classic works by Christian writers to new audiences. On one occasion he wrote of the "Practical Writings" of the celebrated 17th century divine Richard Baxter:

"With [Baxter's] controversial pieces I am little acquainted: but his Practical Writings, in four massy folios, are a treasury of Christian wisdom...[I]t would be a most valuable service to mankind to revise them, and perhaps to abridge them, so as to render them more suited to the taste of modern readers."

Editor Ellyn Sanna has done just this for Wilberforce's "Real Christianity." Her abridgements are judicious, and the revisions in language allow modern readers to derive the greatest benefit from Wilberforce's timeless call to embrace biblical Christianity and let it inform their lives. Thus, this new edition of "Real Christianity" does much to perpetuate a proper understanding and appreciation of Wilberforce's life and achievements. I have profited from, and will continue to profit from this valuable new edition. I regret, however, the omission of an index in this book, which would have been a helpful addition. Happily, this is the only detraction (and a small one at that) from this new edition.

Wilberforce for today
Best book on the Christian Life I've ever written. If this sounds presumptious, let me clarify. After writing a number of books on the Christian life over the years, I took on the task of updating this classic, written by William Wilberforce over 200 years ago. What he had to say then was so signficant to the modern world that I undertook the task of udating. What he has to say is immensely more helpful than anything I have ever written - thus - my best book as an author does not contain an original thought! Hope you enjoy.
A must read.