A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians, in the Higher and Middle Classes in this Country, Contrasted with Real Christianity

William Wilberforce (1759 - 1833)

William Wilberforce was an English politician best known for his leadership in the movement to stop the slave trade. He began his political career in 1780, eventually becoming an independent Member of Parliament (MP) for Yorkshire (1784–1812). In 1785, he became an Evangelical Christian, which resulted in major changes to his lifestyle and a lifelong concern for reform. In 1797, after working on the book for four years, Wilberforce published "A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians in the Higher and Middle Classes of This Country Contrasted With Real Christianity." In it, he speaks candidly about the differences between true faith and nominal religion. Through a mix of rational argument, personal testimony, and ardent exhortation, Wilberforce calls for a revival of true Christianity in his country. The book proved to be influential and a best-seller by the standards of the day, with 7,500 copies sold in the first six months. It has also been revived several times since, with some updated translations published in modern English. This recording is of the original text. - Summary by Lillis Joy

Genre(s): Christianity - Other

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 00 Introduction Lillis Joy
00:04:55
Play 01 Ch 1: Inadequate Conceptions of the Importance of Christianity Lillis Joy
00:18:44
Play 02 Ch 2-1: Corruption of Human Nature Lillis Joy
00:19:35
Play 03 Ch 2-2: Corruption of Human Nature Lillis Joy
00:12:35
Play 04 Ch 2-3: Corruption of Human Nature Lillis Joy
00:10:14
Play 05 Ch 3-1: Chief Defects of the Religious System Lillis Joy
00:19:09
Play 06 Ch 3-2: Chief Defects of the Religious System Lillis Joy
00:21:16
Play 07 Ch 3-3: Chief Defects of the Religious System Lillis Joy
00:19:30
Play 08 Ch 3-4: Chief Defects of the Religious System Lillis Joy
00:25:32
Play 09 Ch 4-1: Inadequate Conceptions of Practical Christianity Lillis Joy
00:23:30
Play 10 Ch 4-2: Inadequate Conceptions of Practical Christianity Lillis Joy
00:43:37
Play 11 Ch 4-3: Inadequate Conceptions of Practical Christianity Lillis Joy
00:48:48
Play 12 Ch 4-4: Inadequate Conceptions of Practical Christianity Lillis Joy
00:44:15
Play 13 Ch 4-5: Inadequate Conceptions of Practical Christianity Lillis Joy
00:40:09
Play 14 Ch 4-6: Inadequate Conceptions of Practical Christianity Lillis Joy
00:33:13
Play 15 Ch 5: On the Excellence of Christianity Lillis Joy
00:15:28
Play 16 Ch 6: Inquiry into the State of Christianity in This Country Lillis Joy
01:07:32
Play 17 Ch 7-1: Practical Hints Lillis Joy
00:42:23
Play 18 Ch 7-2: Practical Hints Lillis Joy
00:07:03
Play 19 Ch 7-3: Practical Hints Lillis Joy
00:18:10
Play 20 Ch 7-4: Practical Hints Lillis Joy
00:08:14