Freed From Sin

The Islamic concept of salvation differs from that of other religions, and from Christianity in particular, because Islam rejects the concept of Original Sin and declares man to be responsible only for his own sins. He, therefore, needs to free himself from his own sins in order to attain salvation. In this article, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah(as) answers the all-important question, why does man commits sin, and how can he free himself from it. The Promised Messiah(as) also argues that a true religion must be judged by its ability to lead its followers to certainty about the existence of God. The holy author makes a detailed comparison between Islam and other major religions, and concludes that Islam alone can lead man to perfect awareness and, consequently, to freedom from sin. The first English translation of this article was published under the title How to get rid of the Bondage of Sin, in the English edition of The Review of Religions, January 1902. The current translation has been prepared by Wakalat Tasnif, Rabwah.

In Freed From Sin Tom Brennan has written another excellent book. In this timeless tome he tackles the subject of holiness. His solid doctrinal foundation, his personal transparency, his clear, easily readable style of writing, and his practical applications make this an extremely valuable book. I am very glad to recommend it. -- R. B. Oullette, Pastor Emeritus, First Baptist Church, Bridgeport, Michigan Pastor Tom Brennan is a gifted communicator and writer and God has given him the ability to take difficult material and bring it down so all of us can comprehend and understand. His past book, Schizophrenic, A Diagnosis of the Independent Baptist Movement was straight forward and dealt squarely and fairly with both the strengths and weaknesses of the independent Baptist movement of the twenty and twenty-first century. This work on holiness is sure to be a classic of our day! The need for holiness in this generation is huge. The need for holiness in each of our lives as believers is great, and we are commanded by God to be holy. Reading this book will help develop a consciousness of this matter. Hopefully it will create the desire in each of us to keep working on developing holiness in fear of God. -- Kevin Folger, Pastor Emeritus, Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland, Ohio

The Slave Bible was published in 1807. It was commissioned on behalf of the Society for the Conversion of Negro Slaves in England. The Bible was to be used by missionaries and slave owners to teach slaves about the Christian faith and to evangelize slaves. The Bible was used to teach some slaves to read, but the goal first and foremost was to tend to the spiritual needs of the slaves in the way the missionaries and slave owners saw fit.

Although the fourteen books in this series are complementary and help the reader to have a more complete view of the theme, each book is complete in its own right and should be read for the profit of it. Although the books are rooted in the Word of God, they are written, not merely to help readers to know God’s point of view on the issues discussed, but also to lead the believer beyond theoretical understanding into spiritual experience; for sanctification is ultimately not merely a doctrine but an experience. My prayer for you is that, the One who “chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him” (Ephesians 1:4), should work mightily in you as you read, working in you and through you, so that you may enter into and make progress in the life of sanctification. May the Lord bless you exceedingly!

This book, based on addresses preached at the Evangelical Movement of Wales Conference at Aberystwyth in 2005, deals with these chapters and this vital subject. Godliness, we are told, is contrary to the selfish spirit that moves the world, the flesh and the devil, in that it seeks to do everything for the glory of Christ. Stuart Olyott shows us that godliness is a moral and not a mystical quality; it is the fruit of union with Christ; it results in glad obedience to a new master and, although this will result in loss and suffering in this life, it anticipates the future glory of heaven which awaits every believer. An essential read for all who wish to live godly lives in Christ Jesus.