The Existence and Attributes of God by Stephen Charnock (1628–1680) is among the standout works from the Puritan period. That is fairly an accomplishment when one thinks of the a whole bunch of well-known books and discourses that emerged from the pens of these theological giants. Revealed two years after his loss of life, it was regrettably not but totally accomplished, with fourteen Discourses finalized however extra deliberate.

There was no scarcity of reward for Charnock and his work since its publication. Historian Edmund Calamy (1671–1732) speaks of Charnock’s popularity as a theologian:

He was a really appreciable scholar, there being scarcely any a part of studying he was unacquainted with. He had a peculiar ability within the unique languages of the Outdated and New Testomony. His pure talents have been glorious. He had, what hardly ever meet, a robust judgment, and a energetic creativeness. He was a really eminent divine.

Erasmus Middleton (1739–1805) referred to as him “one of many best males within the church of Christ, with respect to his depth, clearness, accuracy in true divinity.” He added, “He was the Writer of these unparalleled discourses on the Existence, Attributes, and Windfall of God.”

Anglican hymn-writer Augustus Toplady (1740–1778) equally commented on the greatness of the Discourses: “Perspicuity and depth; metaphysical sublimity and evangelical simplicity; immense studying and plain, however irrefragable reasoning; conspire to render that efficiency one of the inestimable productions, that ever did honour to the sanctified judgment and genius of a human being.”

Joel Beeke as soon as remarked to me that Charnock’s magnum opus is the one “must-read” on the doctrine of God from the Puritan period, and he added that the Discourse on God’s goodness is “alone price its weight in gold, and is unsurpassed in all of English literature.” Jerry Bridges, in studying the Discourse on God’s holiness, at roughly half a dozen pages in, discovered himself on his knees earlier than God, overcome along with his holiness. As he received up and began studying once more, just a few pages later he was once more on his knees earlier than God.

Left alone with solely two books for the remainder of my life, I might fortunately maintain myself busy within the information of God with the Bible and Charnock’s masterpiece!

Theology for the Pews

Maybe to the shock of some readers as we speak, the Discourses are written mainly for homiletical (preaching) functions. Whereas there can be some apparent modifying to the sermons, we should remember that the pages earlier than readers as we speak have been meant to be heard within the pews of the church the place Charnock ministered alongside Thomas Watson. (By the way, one can’t assist however envy the hearers of two of probably the most gifted theological wordsmiths alive in Britain on the time.)

The sophistication of this work doesn’t imply it’s inaccessible to the lay reader. Actually, what makes this work a kind of basic is Charnock’s means to take maybe the weightiest doctrine (the doctrine of God) and write on it in a means that not solely students and pastors can recognize, but in addition Christian laypersons — although, in as we speak’s age, it might require an excellent deal extra focus than the typical Christian ebook.

Every of the fourteen Discourses incorporates an exposition of a well known Bible textual content. Charnock would usually select the locus classicus for every matter, often in continuity with different Reformed remedies on the identical topic (for instance, Psalm 14:1 on God’s existence). This was a typical method for homiletical discourses on theological doctrines. As one shortly notices, Charnock is anxious with the sensible implications of who God is, which implies sensible atheism takes up a serious a part of his therapy on God’s existence.

Whereas extra individuals have been starting to doubt God’s existence within the latter a part of the seventeenth century, the main threats to the doctrine of God’s existence in that interval have been, first, assaults upon a classical understanding of God and, second, the ever-present actuality of failing to reside as if God exists and cares about our ideas and actions. Charnock’s work is a penetrating evaluation of the extent of those issues, however he additionally presents many options to our sensible atheism.

Whereas Charnock’s work seems on the existence and attributes of God, we should always not assume he lacks a robust concentrate on Christ. Littered all through every discourse are golden nuggets on how every attribute pertains to Christ. Actually, a few of Charnock’s greatest ideas on Christ in relation to the divine attributes seem within the “makes use of” part of every Discourse. It is a essential statement, for the easy cause that even within the software of the doctrine of God we see Charnock anchoring his Discourses within the particular person of Christ.

Lucid Sophistication

The “makes use of” (or “directions”) sections within the Discourses present us simply how sensible the doctrine of God is for Christian residing. With out his purposes, the work can be like a fantastic automobile however with out wheels. Right this moment we nonetheless endure to some extent from the concept that a theology ebook just isn’t very sensible, and a sensible ebook shouldn’t be too theological. This idea is demolished by Charnock’s work, which is as sensible as it’s theological and vice versa.

“If Calvin was identified for ‘lucid brevity,’ I believe Charnock must be identified for lucid sophistication.”

Among the extra in style Puritan theologians, equivalent to John Owen (1616–1683) and Richard Baxter (1615–1691), wrote extraordinarily refined treatises. Their studying was maybe unparalleled amongst English-speaking theologians within the seventeenth century. And if you learn the 2 of them, you typically want a “translator” of kinds — sure, for his or her works within the English language! However Charnock doesn’t require a “translator.” He’s less complicated and clearer and has higher turns of phrase than the opposite two. In different phrases, if any of those males belong on Twitter, it’s Charnock (and Watson). If Calvin was identified for “lucid brevity” (as he himself described his intention), I believe Charnock must be identified for lucid sophistication.

The gorgeous turns of phrase utilized by Charnock are a results of placing his studying to make use of to bless God’s individuals within the pew. His metaphors and analogies are Christlike insofar as he possessed a exceptional grasp of the pure world (“take into account the lilies,” Luke 12:27). He was a Renaissance man par excellence; and his medical coaching shines by within the metaphors, illustrations, and analogies that floor on most pages of his work. His perception into human nature can also be a serious energy of his expositions. One will get the impression that Charnock’s erudite understanding of God enabled him to look deeply into the human soul and all of the sinful peculiarities that beset us even in a state of grace.

Massive E book on a Massive God

Why must you learn Charnock on The Existence and Attributes of God? Fairly other than what has been stated above, we should always keep in mind that the 20 th century was not an excellent century for the doctrine of God. Christians as we speak nonetheless entertain concepts about God which can be unorthodox, maybe unwittingly on account of poor or insufficient educating. The treatment begins within the pulpit, but it surely additionally contains our non-public and company examine.

“You’re getting into a giant world as you study of a giant God.”

With the latest reprint of Charnock’s Discourses, pastors can simply entry a piece that has stood the check of time and browse a therapy on God that may illuminate their very own preaching. J.I. Packer as soon as remarked to me that the very best praise he might give Martyn Lloyd-Jones was that he “introduced God into the pulpit.” When the “Physician” preached, it was clear God was powerfully current. If pastors are going to convey God into the pulpit, it won’t occur if they aren’t consumed with the identical God that Charnock so eloquently writes about.

As well as, whether or not as a pastor or a layperson, when studying Charnock, you aren’t merely studying a singular Christian thinker, however somebody who extensively engaged the broader Christian custom. You’re encountering different thinkers that span many centuries and traditions (even pagan poets and philosophers). You’re getting into a giant world as you study of a giant God.

It’s fairly an accomplishment to learn a piece of over 1700 pages, but it surely appears to me that anybody who thoughtfully and prayerfully tackles this work won’t ever be the identical once more. This ebook really is life-changing. And in case you are considerably intimidated by the dimensions, take into account, on the very least, studying the Discourse on God’s goodness, and put together to fall in your knees earlier than God in humble thankfulness for the manifold mercies that he reveals to you every day (lots of which you might have doubtless ignored).

It was a pleasure to edit these two volumes by Charnock within the hope of assembly a urgent want within the church as we speak for a extra sturdy, extra biblically and theologically knowledgeable view of God that may stir not solely the minds but in addition the hearts of God’s individuals. In my thoughts, few books from the final a number of hundred years can fairly assist the church as we speak like Charnock’s Discourses within the never-to-be-sufficiently praised Existence and Attributes of God.

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