Charles Finney's "Autobiography," 1-20

1. Some observations on Charles Finney’s “The Autobiography of Charles Finney” (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers, 1977), 1-20.

2. Born 29 Aug 1792 and he writes this at age 75 in 1867-1868.

3. No religious training or exposure and lived in the “woods” throughout his life (his word). Occasionally, an “ignorant preacher” would pass through and Finney recalls the people “would return from a meeting and spend considerable time in irrepressible laughter at the strange mistakes...”

4. He identifies a college where allegedly a 2-yr curriculum and institution was pressed on him by a Yale graduate. Finney thought of Yale, but in view of the 2 years rather than the required 4 years at Yale, he accepted the invitation. He does not identify the teacher, institution or certification/diploma offered. In fact, we are not sure he completed the 2 years or graduated. We hear nothing about the curriculum.

5. He returns to Adams, Jefferson County, New York and enters a law practice in 1818, age 26. This county abuts the eastern end of Lake Ontario in the far northeastern section of NY. In a 2000 census, Adams has a population of about 4700 people. He claims that “I was almost as ignorant of religion as a heathen.” In reading the law, the frequent references to the Bible prompted him to begin reading the Bible.

6. In Adams, he is exposed to a Presbyterian ministry and minister, Rev. George W. Gale, a Princeton graduate. We get Finney’s recall . Here’s some quotes. “old school type,” “thoroughly Calvinistic,” “seemed to take it for granted that his hearers were theologians,” and “I sometimes criticized his sermons mercilessly.” This is exactly what Christ's under-shepherds should expect from unconverted apostates under divine condemnation (Rom.3.9-20). No surprises.

7. Here are questions that occurred to Finney in relation to Rev. Gale’s sermons and pastoral visitations to the law office . “What was repentance?” “Feeling of sorrow for sin?” “Passive state of mind or voluntary” “What was regeneration?” “What was faith?” “Conviction or persuasion?” “Sanctification?” Of curiosity, he makes no favorable mention of Rev. Gale other than to say he sounded “confused.” This is an 1867-1868 judgment on Christ’s under-shepherd that’s pretty tough.

8. He wasn’t impressed with the sermons nor the people, although he noted that the people “venerated” their pastor. They lacked “faith.” This is an 1867-1868 judgment on Christ’s sheep that's pretty tough. He's judgmental, unloving, divisive and sectarian. There's no expressed gratitude at all. It serves his anti-Calvinism well.

9. In the summer, 1821, he resolves to “settle the question of my soul’s salvation at once.” An instance of hubris: “I was very proud without knowing it. I thought the opinions of others didn’t matter, whether they thought this or that…” Regrettably, he didn’t post such re: Rev. Gale and his congregants. He further develops further instances of his pride, e.g. hiding his Bible in the office when others entered the law office, avoidance of the church’s elders as well as conversations with Rev. Gale. He outlines varied personal questions that developed in his conversion story. He found himself “dead to God” and unable “to pray.” Sounds very biblical and Augustinian, yet his later theology will deny that.

10. He had an “overwhelming sense of my wickedness” as a “degraded sinner.” He reviews various Biblical promises that he is enabled to embrace.

11. We will have to review his "Autobiography" further in addition to his “Systematic Theology.” As to the latter, it has been years, but the ST does not square with his conversion story which is: 1) about himself without reference to God, grace, and the ordinary means of preaching and the sacraments. He fails to mentions those elements in his conversion story and focuses on himself.

12. Narcissism? Ingratitude? Devaluation of God in conversion? Bragging? Works-salvation, e.g. “I did it?” It sure sounds like it. Actually, it's insulting to His Majesty.