True Christianity

Arndt, Johann, 1555-1621Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.8

Word count: 1.7M words
Chapters: 167

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.True Christianity by Johann ArndtAuthor: Arndt, Johann, 1555-1621,Language: English, Class: BV: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion: Christianity: Practical theology, Worship, Release Date: Dec 23, 2010

Editor's review

True Christianity is the representative work of the seventeenth-century Lutheran theologian Johann Arndt, emphasizing that faith is more than doctrinal assent—it is the renewal of the inner life and the practice of godliness. Written in an exhortatory and meditative style, the book unfolds around themes of repentance, rebirth, love, and humility, grounding theological discussion in everyday faith. Its influence on church history is profound, and it is regarded as an important precursor of the Pietist movement. For today's readers, the book's value lies not in offering a systematic doctrinal manual but in prompting self-examination of the gap between faith and life. The language carries the stillness and earnestness of classical devotional literature, suited to slow reading and repeated meditation rather than rapid consumption. If you are interested in the Christian devotional tradition, the post-Reformation Pietist movement, or wish to reflect on personal faith practice through a classic text, this book merits close reading; if you seek only a doctrinal outline or historical scholarship, supplement it with other sources.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in the Christian devotional tradition and Pietism
Christians who wish to reflect on faith practice through a classic text
Scholars and students of post-Reformation theology and devotional history
Readers who prefer slow, meditative reading of classical devotional literature

Not a good fit for

Beginners seeking a systematic doctrinal outline or theological introduction
Rigorous researchers expecting historical scholarship and academic annotation
General readers with little interest in the religious exhortatory genre

Reading tips

Read slowly in small sections, allowing time for meditation and note-taking after each
Familiarize yourself with the seventeenth-century Lutheran context before entering the main text
Read alongside Scripture passages to appreciate the author's exhortatory intent
After finishing, revisit your marked passages to review the gap between faith and practice

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book suitable for non-Christians?

It is suitable for readers interested in religious devotional traditions. The themes of repentance, humility, and love have universal humanistic value for reflection, though the text presupposes Christian faith. Non-Christians can read it as a classic text for understanding the Pietist view of devotion.

How does True Christianity differ from ordinary theological works?

It does not primarily expound systematic doctrine but uses exhortation and meditation to promote inner renewal of faith, emphasizing rebirth and a godly life. This orientation brings it closer to devotional literature and made it an important intellectual resource for the later Pietist movement.

What should readers keep in mind while reading?

Written in the seventeenth century, the book's language differs considerably from today's, and its exhortatory tone is direct. Slow down, understand its concerns in light of its historical context, and avoid rushing through it with modern reading habits, which would miss its devotional intent.

Comments

Find this book

This site is an index: you start “Search all sources” in your browser, and the entries it lists all point to third-party sites; please judge their availability yourself.

About the author

Arndt, Johann, 1555-1621 Author · German · 1555–1621

Arndt, Johann (1555–1621) was a German Lutheran theologian. Public information on his early life and education is limited; his historical standing rests chiefly on his representative work, True Christianity. Written in German for ordinary believers, the book centers on repentance, rebirth, and new life in Christ, emphasizing inward faith and a devout life rather than abstract doctrinal debate. Its style is earnest and plain, with a strong devotional and pastoral character. After publication it circulated widely in German-speaking lands and became an important work of Protestant devotional literature, exerting a lasting influence on Pietism and later Protestant spirituality. The library currently holds one work by him, True Christianity.