Charles Finney

Charles Grandison Finney was born on August 29, 1792, and was the youngest of seven children. His parents were Connecticut farmers. His parents were not religious and he rarely heard a sermon growing up except from an occaisional ignorant preacher who was the target of jokes for his many mistakes. He wanted to be a lawyer and so became an apprentice in Adams, New York, after having taught school in New Jersey for two years.

When he was 29, in 1821, he was seized with conviction and spent a day in prayer on his knees seeking salvation. The next day he told his client who was anxious about a court appearance that day, "I have a retainer from the Lord Jesus Christ to plead his cause, I cannot plead yours." At the age of 29, he became a Presbyterian minister.

In 1832, when he was 40, he started and pastored the Broadway Church in New York City where many were saved. He stood at 6 foot 2 inches, had piercing blue eyes, incredible music talent as a tenor and cellist, and a life full conviction and power.

When he was 43 in 1835, he went to Oberlin, Ohio, where he pastored a Congregationalist Church for 35 years. He also taught at Oberlin College and became president there for 16 years (1851-1866). He remained teaching until the day of his death on August 16, 1875. He was 88 years old.

Charles Finney's style and focus made him loved and hated. He shunned published theology books and sought to find his theology from Scripture. He spoke his mind clearly and effectively, pushing for the absolution of slavery, and social reform. His revival meetings and travels were restricted by his getting tuberculoses. This did not dampen his zeal and efforts at home. Although we cannot agree with all of his theological understanding, he does stand as a shining light against the institutionalism that produced cardboard cutouts and not preachers who know and search the Scriptures.