Showing results by narrator "Matthew Erwin" in All Categories

Mere Christianity is a classic of Christian apologetics, which originally appeared as three separate pamphlets: The Case for Christianity (1942), Christian Behaviour (1943), and Beyond Personality (1944). Lewis focuses on the common ground in the Christian faith to explain the fundamental teachings of Christianity in order to make a powerful and rational case for the faith. As one of the most popular introductions to Christianity ever published, Mere Christianity has sold millions of copies worldwide.

The Pilgrim’s Progress, a religious allegory by John Bunyan, was published in two parts in 1678 and 1684. The work is a symbolic vision of the good man’s pilgrimage through life. The Pilgrim’s Progress is one of the most famous Christian allegories of all time.

While Archibald Alexander feels that no benevolent being takes pleasure in the sufferings of others, he does note that men who sin are never fully absolved of those sins. He discusses univeralists, people who believe in the word of God but not of future punishment. He makes an argument against their claim, that without punishment there is no reward in doing good.

Clive Staples Lewis (1898-1963) was one of the greatest intellectuals of the 20th century and a highly influential writer of his day. The Screwtape Letters is a classic of religious satire. Humorous and witty, the text consists of the letters of a senior demon to a younger one, coaching him on how to capture the soul of a Christian. With a narrative simultaneously comic and serious, the book is an insightful account of temptation and how to resist it.

The 1945 novel, The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis is a classic Christian allegorical tale, inspired by a dream. A meditation on good and evil, the book presents a novel idea on the Christian conception of heaven and hell. Drawing on the works of St. Augustine, Dante Alighieri, John Milton, John Bunyan, Emanuel Swedenborg, and Lewis Carroll, the author describes a hell where the gates are locked on the inside.

E. M. Bounds (1835-1913) was a popular and respected Christian author and attorney. He wrote Power Through Prayer as a guide for Christians who wish to improve their lives. The book is practical, teaches the individual to pray fervently and effectively, and is claimed to have an invigorating effect on the soul.

In this sermon, Archibald Alexander deals with prayer. He states that, as far as reason can lead us, we seem to be shut out from all fellowship with our Maker, and whether prayer is permitted would remain forever doubtful, were it not for divine revelation. And that God may be acceptably approached by sinners only through the mediation of his Son.

In this sermon, Archibald Alexander deals with fasting, based on inter alia Isaiah 58:3-5 and Joel 2:12-13. He argues that external fasting, without corresponding internal penitence and humiliation, is hypocrisy and that fasting must be accompanied by true humility.

Archibald Alexander was a 18th- and 19th-century American Presbyterian theologian and professor at the Princeton Theological Seminary. The evidences of the Christian religion explore the presence of religion in life, nature, and man. Archibald Alexander argues in favor of the rationality of miracles and condemns the rise of theological liberalism.

"When there is no growth, there is no life". Archibald Alexander discusses the things that we have taken for granted. He urges that all Christians face challenges and one must overcome them to grow as a religious person.

Archibald Alexander discusses the misery of the souls of the damned. The same things that will bring us humans pleasure, also can bring us the most misery when removed from our lives. The first moment of death, and the day of judgment will be the most dreadful for those who allow sin to go unrepented.

Archibald Alexander feels that all mothers should be pious. He implores that they have strong Christian roots within the home if they are to raise good pious men.

No one knows when the day of Judgement will occur - not even Archibald Alexander. He foretells this day as a day of miracles, where all the lives of the past and ancient patriachs will stand present. And for those who pass judgement of Jesus Christ, their future will be in heaven.

As a pastor and student of the Bible, Archibald Alexander came to appreciate the different ways that people experience the new birth and its effects. In his book on religious experience, he observed that there is unity and diversity to the conversion experience, and that there is no more important event which occurs in our world than the new birth of an immortal soul.

In Christian churches, there are always men and women who wish to do good, but they don't know what to do. Archibald Alexander has an idea; go into the downtrodden areas of the cities and convince someone to come with you to church. This, he feels, is the responsibility of all Christians wishing to do good in the world.

The Four Loves (1960) by C. S. Lewis explores the nature of love from a Christian theological perspective. Making a careful distinction between “like” and “love", the author first defines the terms. The discussion is based on four Greek words for love: storgē, philía, éros, and agápe. These four types are friendship, affection, erotic love, and charity, or the love of God. Lewis defines each of these types of love and how they affect our lives. Lewis considers affection, friendship, and eros as natural loves, while charity is supernatural since it is closest to the form of love which is defined by the expression “God is love”. Lewis examines each of the four loves in detail, including their benefits and potential dangers.

Alexander writes this prose to speak directly to the poor man, to tell them not to envy their rich neighbors as their wealth only brings evil. He continues, that the matter of your soul should come first and foremost and not worldly goods. He feels, truly, that nothing in life is exempt from troubles - rich or poor.

In this sermon, Alexander conveys some rules to live by for young Christians. He urges young - and really all - Christians to form good habits, be particular about the company they keep, and take in knowledge wherever they can.