A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System: …of Professed Christians in the Higher and Middle Classes in this Country, Contrasted with Real Christianity

Renowned abolitionist William Wilberforce turns his gifts of wit and analysis to the Christian faith, revealing and discussing differences between cultural and practical Christians. Wilberforce is eager to draw a distinction between those who merely follow the traditions and motions of Christianity as a matter of formality - so-called 'cultural Christians' - and those who actively seek to behave and lead life in a Christian manner. For the author, this means strict adherence to a moral code, and backing one's faith up with consistent action that is righteous and clearly inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ. Real Christianity, claims Wilberforce, is altogether less common than the inauthentic and hollow 'cultural Christianity' that pervades society. Optimistically however, Wilberforce believes that anyone born in a Christian society can with effort and will become practical Christians.