A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians

by William Wilberforce

Publisher:

T. Cadell

, 1830

Overview

A man of strong conviction and faith, William Wilberforce shook England’s contented Christians from their spiritual slumber with the publication of A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians. After recounting his own finding of Christ and the impact it made in his life, Wilberforce’s book confronts his fellow countrymen as “nominal” Christians, complacent in being Christian in name only. By accepting the Christian creed, but failing to live the Christian life, the spiritual foundation of English society was rotting away at its core. Wilberforce’s influential book challenged readers to center their life, both public and private, on Christ’s redeeming work and teachings.

An instant classic upon its publishing, this best seller has been inspiring Christians for over two hundred years. Wilberforce’s powerful A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians is needed today more than ever, and with Logos Bible Software, this book is completely searchable, with passages of Scripture appearing on mouse-over.

Key Features

• Detailed table of contents
• Comprehensive index
• Practical instruction for leading a Christian life

Contents

Top Highlights

“The main object which he has in view is, not to convince the Sceptic, or to answer the arguments of persons who avowedly oppose the fundamental doctrines of our Religion; but to point out the scanty and erroneous system of the bulk of those who belong to the class of orthodox Christians, and to contrast their defective scheme with a representation of what the author apprehends to be real Christianity. Often has it filled him with deep concern, to observe in this description of persons, scarcely any distinct knowledge of the real nature and principles of the Religion which they profess.” (Page 3)

“Yet is it not undeniable that with the Bible in our houses, we are ignorant of its contents; and that hence, in a great measure, it arises, that the bulk of the Christian world know so little, and mistake so greatly, in what regards the religion which they profess?” (Page 12)

“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?” (Page 6)

“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 such is the religion handed down among us by hereditary succession, 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.” (Page 6)

Praise for the Print Edition

One of the most impressive books, on the subject of religion, that have appeared within our memory.

—The British Critic

. . . . a fine piece of literature that both warns us of religious nominalism and inspires us to greater depths of God-honoring conduct.

—Online Reviewer

Product Details

• Title: A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians, in the Higher and Middle Classes in this Country, Contrasted with Real Christianity
• Author: William Wilberforce
• Publisher: James Parker and Co.
• Publication Date: 1878
• Pages: 205

About William Wilberforce

William Wilberforce (1759–1833) was a British writer, politician, and prominent figure in England’s abolitionist movement. He served in the parliament from 1780 to 1825, but a conversion to Christianity in 1785 changed his personal and political life. For 18 years, Wilberforce fought to abolish slavery in England, where it was finally banned in 1807.

Wilberforce is the author of the classic A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians and a selection of his writings is included in 365 Days with Wilberforce.