True Christianity by Johann Arndt

(11 User reviews)   5716
By Abil Kile Posted on Nov 15, 2025
In Category - Romance
Arndt, Johann, 1555-1621 Arndt, Johann, 1555-1621
English
Ever feel like your faith has become more about rules than a real relationship? That's exactly what bothered Johann Arndt in the 1600s, and he wrote 'True Christianity' to call people back to the heart of the matter. Forget dry theology—this is a practical guide for everyday people who want their beliefs to actually change how they live, love, and treat others. It's surprisingly direct, challenging, and feels like a quiet conversation with a wise, patient friend who wants you to experience faith as something alive, not just something you know about.
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remaining thirty-eight years of his life in unclouded domestic happiness. She was a devout Christian woman, who cheered and encouraged Arndt amid his many cares, alleviated every burden to the extent of her ability, and was always regarded by him with tenderness and gratitude. They were childless; but many an orphan found that their hearts could overflow with love towards the young and destitute—a love as full of warmth as beloved children have ever experienced parental love to be. § 6. In this first pastoral charge of Arndt, the unhappy state of affairs subjected him, particularly during the latter part of the seven years which he spent in it, to a “Lutheran martyrdom,” as Tholuck expresses himself (Herzog. Encyk. I., 536). The duke, John George, who now reigned (a relative of the palsgrave, or count palatine, Casimir, a zealous Calvinist), after various inward struggles, abandoned the Lutheran faith, and, in the year 1596, publicly adopted the Reformed faith, a few years after the transactions to which we now refer. Even Protestant rulers, who had not yet learned the theory that a union of church and state can operate only perniciously, perpetually interfered in the internal affairs of the church.—At this period it was the custom of Lutheran pastors, when they administered the rite of Baptism, to follow the liturgical form which prescribed “exorcism.” This feature of the whole baptismal form, which was introduced as early as the third century, or even earlier (before the days of Tertullian and Origen), consisted simply in a sentence adjuring the evil spirit to depart from the subject of Baptism. The early practice had, like others, been gradually associated, after the rise and development of popery, with superstitious ideas, such as was also the case with the Lord’s Supper, until it assumed an absurd and even revolting form. At the period of the Reformation, Zwingli and Calvin (Inst. IV., c. 15, 19; c. 19, 24) rejected the whole form of exorcism. Luther and Melanchthon, on the other hand, after discarding the popish excrescences, believed that the scriptural doctrine which the early form involved or suggested, authorized the retention of the practice, when restricted to a very plain and simple formula, expressive of a scriptural truth.—Now, at that period, as it is well known, unfriendly feelings, engendered by various causes, existed to a certain extent, between the heads respectively of the Reformed and the Lutheran churches, in consequence of which even harmless customs which none would, under ordinary circumstances, either advocate or condemn with partisan feeling, assumed a confessional character. Such was the case with the purified and simple Lutheran baptismal sentence containing the “exorcism.” § 7. Arndt’s course in this matter has often been misunderstood; as it, however, demonstrates him to have been alike a very firm and conscientious man, and also an uncompromising supporter of the distinctive doctrines and usages of the Lutheran Church, the following details may be appropriately furnished.—The language which Luther retained in his form for Baptism (_Taufbüchlein_), after omitting all popish and superstitious practices, was the following. Between the prayer and the reading of Mark 10:13-16, the pastor says: “I adjure thee, thou unclean spirit, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, that thou go out and depart from this servant of Jesus Christ, Amen.”—Luther understood the form to be a declaration or distinct confession of the doctrine of Original Sin, and a renunciation of Satan. Still, the Lutheran Church, as such, never recognized the _necessity_ of this ancient form, and its confessional writings never allude to it. After the excitement of...

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The Story

There isn't a traditional plot. Instead, think of this book as a heartfelt conversation. Arndt wrote it because he saw people going through the motions of religion—attending church, knowing the doctrines—but their daily lives didn't reflect any real change. He argues that real faith isn't just agreeing with ideas; it's a personal, inward transformation that shows up in humility, love, and a genuine desire to be good.

He walks you through what this looks like, from understanding your own need for change to developing real love for God and your neighbor. It's a step-by-step, deeply personal guide to spiritual growth.

Why You Should Read It

What struck me is how timeless it feels. Even though it's over 400 years old, Arndt calls out the same stuff we struggle with today: hypocrisy, empty routines, and judging others. His solution isn't about trying harder, but about letting faith reshape you from the inside out.

It’s not a quick or easy read—you have to sit with it—but it's incredibly honest. He doesn't let you off the hook, but he also writes with a gentle kindness that makes the challenge feel worthwhile.

Final Verdict

This is for the thoughtful reader, whether you're deeply religious, spiritually curious, or just interested in historical perspectives on living a meaningful life. It's perfect if you're tired of surface-level faith and want to explore what a deeper, more authentic version might look like. Don't expect a story; expect a mirror and a roadmap.



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Mary Walker
1 year ago

Not bad at all.

Kimberly Lee
1 year ago

Loved it.

Thomas Jackson
5 months ago

Five stars!

Daniel King
1 year ago

Not bad at all.

Susan White
1 month ago

Text is crisp, making it easy to focus.

4.5
4.5 out of 5 (11 User reviews )

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