Review: Triumphing over Sinful Fear by John Flavel
Triumphing over Sinful Fear by John Flavel
Book info
P. #: 126
Author: John Flavel (1628-1691)
Life: Flavel was born in Bromsgrove Worcershire, the son of a minister who died of the plague in 1665 while in prison for nonconformity. Flavel was educated by his father and later attended University College, Oxford. In 1650, he was ordained by the presbytery at Salisbury. In 1656, he accepted a call to be minister of Dartmouth, where his ministry thrived. He was later ejected for nonconformity, but continued writing. Flavel was a Godly, humble, and learned man. He spent much of his time in study and prayer, which is clear from his writing.
General info about author: Flavel was a pastor, theologian, author, husband, and father.
Overall Summary/review:
The editor of this small book has broken the book into small sections and clear subsections which makes the book very easy to read. You can read the small in a minute or two because they only take up one or two pages.
Flavel, in this book gives us a very clear understanding of what fear is, how it becomes sinful, and how to redirect our sinful fear unto God. (ix, 1)
Flavel emphasizes the importance of the Scriptures as he references them in every paragraph. His arguments are rooted in the Scriptures.
After defining what sinful fear is, he spends much of the book on its remedies. (About half the book is spent on remedies p.62-109).
As I read the book, I noticed that some of the things that he talks about as remedies, are things we’ve talked about on the channel before. Such as the importance of looking to saints that went before us. (p. 89, 93-94).
Quotes: 1, 12, 17, 35, 63, 98, 124