Dwight Lyman Moody (February 5, 1837 – December 22, 1899), also known as D. L. Moody, was an American evangelist and publisher connected with the Holiness Movement, who founded the Moody Church, Northfield School and Mount Hermon School in Massachusetts (now Northfield Mount Hermon School), the Moody Bible Institute, and Moody Publishers.
Dwight Lyman Moody was a predominant evangelist, author, and publisher. Raised on a farm in Massachusetts, he moved first to Boston, where he converted to evangelical Christianity in 1856, and then to Chicago, where he prospered in business. He gave up business in 1860 and engaged in missionary work with the YMCA (1861-73).
He founded Moody Church and preached in the slums, emphasizing literal interpretation of the Bible and the need to prepare for the Second Coming. In 1870 he teamed up with the hymn writer Ira D. Sankey (1840-1908), and they began a series of highly popular revival tours in Britain and the U.S. Moody founded the Northfield School (1879), the Mount Hermon School (1881), and the Chicago Bible Institute (1889; now the Moody Bible Institute).
This is the first book I have read that was written by Dwight Moody. My main interests for reading this were my recent familiarity with works from the Moody Institute and my admiration for the Puritan and Victorian Era Christian writers. The language may be a bit archaic to some readers in this day and age but the message is as relevant today as it was when this book was written in the nineteenth century. The message is delivered straight forward and in a manner I found to be engaging. If some readers struggle with the language barrier that inevitably occurs over a couple of centuries, I encourage them to push through. I believe the message will come through loud and clear in the end and be well worth any effort they put forth to read this. The truths Mr Moody conveys so well in this book are as true and as relevant today as they were when he wrote this book. If you are looking for a self-help book disguised as a Christian book this is not for you. If you are willing to take an honest look at yourself to improve your relationship with our wonderful Savior, I think you will not be dissatisfied!
Written in the 1800s these essays or sermons are still great.I enjoyed these easy to understand but deep Christian messages by D.L.Moody. I really will need to listen to it again soon because there was so much there. Any Christian can use the truths that are found here and any one seeking or questioning their relationship with God will find direction and peace.
[Note: This book was provided free of charge by Aneko Press. All thoughts and opinions are my own.]
In reading a book like this there is a lot to appreciate and also a not to nitpick and critique, and I am the sort of person who feels like doing both. Being no stranger to the writings of Dwight L. Moody [1], I feel that this is the sort of book that would have been greatly improved had the author had a bit more grounding in biblical theology. This book spends a great deal of time and effort dealing with repentance and initial justification, but spends comparatively little time talking about what victory for a Christian looks like. One will search this book in vain for discussions of the way that the law is written in the hearts of believers, to say nothing of the contents of biblical law apart from the fairly mundane sort of understanding of the law that is common even in heathen cultures which speak out against theft and foul language and the like. What one finds instead is a great deal of lingering on about the way that we make our initial steps toward the Kingdom of God.
In terms of the contents of this book there is a great deal both to appreciate and to wish for. Overall, this book itself is only about 160 or so pages, making it a relatively quick read where one could read it without suffering a great deal. These 16 or so pages are divided into nine chapters which talk about the depths of God's love, the gateway into His kingdom, the two groups of people, namely the saved and the unsaved (in the author's perspective), words of counsel, Jesus Christ as our divine savior, repentance and restitution, the assurance of salvation, Christ being all, and backsliding. These chapters occasionally hit on profound points and often capture a great deal of interest due to the historical context in which Moody wrote, but one often wishes there was more detail and a deeper understanding of biblical law. All too often this book feels a bit on the shallow side, as if the author thought that repentance was a less well understood idea than it is, and as if the author himself had the ability to deal with the subject matter he has chosen for his own.
This is the sort of book that demonstrates the author is trying to encourage altar calls of repentance among his readers but does not really know what a victorious life lived in obedience to God's ways looks like. The author knows that some sort of victory is needed by Christians but does not really understand what that victory is like. Of course, the author himself finds himself drawn to eternal security and to the way that many believers do not feel that sense of security, failing to grasp the fact that while believers cannot fall from God's hands that they can turn aside as all too many people do. One wishes that the author understood God's ways better as well as the Kingdom of God, rather than spouting off about matters that he did not understand, but at times that is wishing for too much. The author had a great deal for trying to point people to God but sometimes, and this book is an example of it, the author's lack of firm biblical knowledge when it came to doctrine really did not pay off and led the author astray into many errors that are all too common in contemporary Christianity, where ragamuffins seek eternal security in vain because they lack an understanding of how they are to live with God's laws written in their hearts and minds as they acquire the nature and character of God through a lifetime of loving obedience to Him.
I want to take more time and slowly read this book later. I did enjoy the quick listen (audible app, well done). I especially liked the last two chapters on assurance and backsliding. Read with an open Bible and a Berean attitude.
“Though it is dark here, remember it is light somewhere else”. pg. 134 from a character in D.L. Moody’s past
The Way to God is a collection of Moody’s sermons specifically pointing to the divine love that draws us closer to the God in Scripture. Perhaps in His Providence, I was asked to review a copy of this book during a most tumultuous time in my life. Oh, how the truths expressed within these nine chapters reminding me my soul craves what only spiritual and heaven can afford, has been a blessing to my heart and mind. The fruits of one’s life are a part of understanding that I am His, and He is mine.
I pray this book and the Scripture quoted within will lead other believers and non believers to the peace found in a loving Christ.
*A companion book into victorious Christian living would be helpful if one has read this book in hopes of finding answers in assurance of salvation. Excellent assurance material is what this book is, not necessarily an authority on textual Scripture interpretations.
This is an excellent book for helping lost souls to establish a relationship with Christ. Many believers, too, don’t fully understand their relationship with the Father thru the Son... so this is a wake up call for the church to fulfill the destiny that God has prepared for us. D.L. Moody was a blessing to America and his ministry continues to impact the whole world. This short book is powerful and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Moody has such a gentle way of presenting the Gospel. This is a great book to start with if you are new to the family of God. But even if you have walked many years with the Lord, you will find great delight and many spiritual gems in this nook too.
Loved the unwavering focus on Christ Lots of examples, illustrations and arguments for being fully converted to Christ Mainstream Christian view and Bible interpretation Surprisingly relevant for being 100+ years old Perhaps a bit dry and tedious due to age
Why do people commit suicide? It is because they do not know they are loved. Within the first chapter, I was compelled to sit down and listen. And, this preacher did what a great under-shepherd does, he went through Scripture, reminding me of God's love.
Also important is the distinction between confession, and repentance. You can agree you are wrong, but, what have you done to make it right? As I listened to this particular section, I recalled the sections in the Torah which specify adding a fifth part in addition to that which is stolen. It is not to say that you can repay, because you cannot. But, are you willing to show works meet for repentance? Judas Iscariot was so disturbed by his betrayal that he hanged himself. He returned the money and died. But he did not seek out he whom he had wronged, he did not seek forgiveness. Peter also betrayed Christ, but, he repented. He confessed, turned completely around, and went on to prove it by showing his faith in what he did. That's a big difference.
The narrator is good. A nice voice, a soothing tone. I kept sensing that he was using the voice of the author, that is, the words, the rhythm had a natural tone and fluency. I rather enjoyed listening, and, for the largest part, listened more than I read.
The Lord did not forget Peter, though Peter had denied Him thrice; so He caused this kindly special message to be conveyed to the repentant disciple. What a tender and loving Saviour we have! Friend, if you are one of the wanderers, let the loving look of the Master win you back; and let Him restore you to the joy of His salvation. Before closing, let me say that I trust God will restore some backslider reading these pages, who may in the future become a useful member of society and a bright ornament of the Church. We should never have had the thirty-second Psalm if David had not been restored: “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered”; or that beautiful fifty-first Psalm which was written by the restored backslider. Nor should we have had that wonderful sermon on the day of Pentecost when three thousand were converted—preached by another restored backslider. May God restore other backsliders and make them a thousand times more used for His glory than they ever were before.
This is one of the first times I've know more about an author of theology before reading any of his work. From what I know of Moody, his writing style reflects how he spoke. This work isn't deeply theological but it deals with areas of theology involving salvation. Moody is not reformed in his theology but that's only evident a little bit. For the most part this book is a call for immediate and complete repentance. Moody's attitude to sometimes says he doesn't know a subject is honest and refreshing. His examples show the greaterness of God and the weakness of man. This is written for a people of a different time period but there is still some good Gospel truth in this. Final Grade - B
“The Way to God” is a bountiful little volume about the love and grace of God, and how millions of people have learned the beauty and simplicity of taking God at His Word by trusting in Jesus Christ to save them. While written over a century ago, Moody’s words come across with the gentleness as from a trusted friend. He gives many examples of how individuals came to trust Jesus, and the changes that then came into their lives. The Audible version I listened to was wonderfully read by Dennis McKee.
I appreciate that this publisher is bringing classic Moody sermons to a new generation. Unfortunately, they chose to use a different Bible version than Moody had sometimes. The problem being sometimes Moody's outline is predicated on a word or phrase in the Bible he used but is translated differently in the publisher's version causing, quite literally, something to be lost in the translation. The messages themselves are top notch. Practical, powerful and pointed. A real blessing to read.
The book was a pretty good read. The book had its moments and at times it dragged a bit. However, in the end, I did learn somethings that help me gain a greater understanding of my LORD Savior Jesus Christ.
Some parts of this book will certainly seem dated, at least in the forms of speech and social interactions, and yet it speaks simple, timeless truths in a plain way that today’s writers usually avoid. It’s not always an easy read, but it is well worth the effort.
Using stories, personal experience, and illustrations to help what the Bible and what is involved in the Christian life. Moody's strength is his simplicity, and his trust in the Bible.
Just some really helpful thoughts here. Moody reminds the reader that the goal of the Christian life is not a culmination of knowledge, possessions, admiration. Many roads promise happiness and they indeed deliver. But only one road promises fulfilment.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It reminded me that God really loves the world. He is ready to forgive is and receive us back the Himself if we have strayed away from Him. Thank you Jesus, your love never fails.
A good overview of love, surrender, mercy, confession, forgiveness and saving grace. The book winds Biblical verses and timeless interpretation together to give the reader a pathway to God and peace. A good, classic read.
D L Moody presented the amazing love of God in such a clear and precise manner. Although this book was written over 125 years ago it's just as relevant today because God never changes.
This book explains the crucial doctrines of sanctification and justification. Excellent resource for a new believer. I also recommemd it for believers who have backslidden and think they're too far gone, because he addresses that too.
The information contained within are some of the deepest things I have ever read. Information that can help put any Christian person back to Jesus Christ and His way for your life.
This is the first book by Moody that I’ve read. It is truly a fascinating and helpful book. Moody gives great instruction on a variety of issues that will make you closer to the Lord.
Fantastic book by Dwight Moody on how to form a solid relationship with God and by using the 4 Gospels to confirm his points. God Loves us and pet Mr Moody always ready to forgive us take us back. It is man who fails God never the reverse. Good short inspirational read.
This is one of those books that makes you fall in love with the Bible all over very again. Great sermons that will make you want to dive deeper into the Scriptures. Love Moody and his way of illustrating the simplistic Gospel.