The Sinfulness of Sin Paperback – December 1, 1996

A book packed with truths presented with clarity although a past history of reading a bit higher level writing will get you going with understanding. Lots of new challenges to consider in your faith. I bought a used one and was blessed with many marked passages to draw my attention to some of the best thoughts. An excellent book for your Christian library..

The Puritans had an abundance of light in exposing sin for what it truly is.A few of their exceptional works are:Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices by Thomas Brooks,John Owen's books on Sin And Temptation,Jeremiah Burrough's 'The Evil Of Evils' and this Ralph Venning's masterful expose of sins nature and deceitfulness(which was originally titled 'The Plague Of Plague's).That man plays the fool is seen throughout 'The Book Of God'.If the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom,then many in our world are foolish indeed.Venning writes p.51"Till a man fears God,he only plays the fool." Is not the height of mans folly seen in-man either completely denying his makers existence,or living as if there were no supreme being to whom he is accountable,or wishing that this were possible(that God did not exist).The author uncovers some of man's foolish reasoning and that is this(he thinks there could be greater happiness for himself and his fellow man if God could be removed from the equation).-"There is no God,at least no happiness in knowing God,for if sin does not make men such atheists as to believe there is no God,yet it makes them such as to wish there were no God... ."'God is angry with the wicked every day'(Psalm 7:11)-p.98 "Though judgement does not come every day,yet God is angry every day." Men foolishly postulate that because God is patient and long-suffering that His anger is abated and judgement will never come but death and judgement are absolute certainties.Fleeing to Christ for mercy is the only safe haven.Sin opposes God in His nature,being and the exercise of His will.That God has a right to rule over His creatures any rational mind would concede.Sin would remove God from His throne(if it had the power to do so).Sinful men through out history have cast off His Sovereign rule over them.When Moses went to Pharaoh(the most powerful ruler on the earth at that time)to appeal to Him to let the Israelites go and worship the Lord their God,Pharaoh's response reveals mans arrogant heart towards 'the King of Kings'-'who is the Lord,that I should obey His voice to let Israel go.' Venning succinctly states "The voice and language of sin is,'our lips are our own,who is Lord over us.'(Psalm 12:4).Sinful man will not have God govern his creation according to His holy will but fallen sinful man desires autonomy,even though it leads to his own ruin.Some think the Puritans were morbid and overly introspective,too negative in their thinking.A positive mental attitude is what leads to a happy and wholesome life,so many philosophize in our generation.So much dwelling on sin cannot be healthy and is ultimately much ado about nothing.That is certainly not the perspective that Biblical revelation gives us.The Banner of Truth editors were right on the mark in stating the importance of a right understanding of sin(on the back cover of the book)"we cannot understand the Christian gospel until we know what sin is".This book will be extraordinarily helpful in gaining an in-depth understanding of that which is at the root of man's depraved heart.

First published in 1666, The Sinfulness of Sin was written in the time of the Great Plague of London. Originally titled Sin: The Plague of Plagues, the book bolstered a demanding statement. It suggested that beyond any other human pain, even death, sin is the most serious of all epidemics.I have to admit, this book has sat on my shelf for nearly two years because I feared its truth. The darkness of sin, while ever-present, is often veiled in the monotony of life. Sin is our default setting; sin often seems so reasonable. Just as Adam and Eve, we too often seek our own way and try to create a world that feels comfortable for ourselves, even though as we do we shun God's law and what he knows is best for us.In reading this book during the final weeks of the Lenten season, it afforded me a challenging glimpse at not only my own guilt and failure, but a perspective of the suffering of Christ and the sacrifice he made on our behalf. Venning does a thorough treatment of Christ's own experience of living amongst sinful humanity, and how that alone for Almighty God much have been vexing. To live among us, then to take on that burden, becoming our sin, is all the more awe-inspiring!Not only does Christ's amazing sacrifice cleanse us from sin, but it drives and motivates us to live for him. As Ralph Venning talks about sin, rather than feeling tormented by its description, in light of Christ's finished work it becomes a commission and motivation to strive to live more like him and to be a light to those seeking for their own salvation and freedom from sin.This is definitely one of those books that I will be reading again. Venning draws a deep line in the sand, challenging us to live in such a way as to draw us to the heart of God, in spite of what the world may say to the contrary, all for the sake of the glory of God.

This book strips a person of any deception that would lead a him to believe that there is ANY goodness or righteousness in himself and lays man bare and makes him realize his desperate need for a savior. this book shows the wretchedness of man, the holiness of God, and the necessity of Christ as atonement for our sins. how can a man feel his desperate need to be saved from his depravity if he first doesnt know how depraved he really is? what do you need Jesus Christ for if you have no need of being saved? the truth is all men have a necessity, but because of self-righteousness, they are blind to their desperate need of salvation. this book outlines that vividly and goes about to resolve this deception. The reader of this book would have to willfully choose to live in darkness out of hatred for the truth after reading this book, because it exposes people for what they really are. this is an excellent book for the born-again Christian and for any person with the ears to hear and the eyes to see. God gives grace to the humble. God looks upon those with a broken and contrite heart. if you seek to be broken; if you seek to be trully humble before God, then by the Spirit of God, this book will lead you to this mind.

If you've ever thought your pet sin is a "little thing" and "no big deal" think again! I read this cover to cover and couldn't put it down. Once you get used to Puritan writing and phrasing you're hooked. I cannot get enough and Ralph Venning's book is one of the very best. Don't hesitate--buy it! You won't regret it.