Vital Christianity: A Textbook on God, Man, Cosmology, Faith-Power and Spiritual Science

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 452 pages
• Published by: Kessinger Publishing January 2003
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0766136647
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0766136649
• Book Dimensions: 11 x 8.2 x 0.9 inches
• Weighs: 2.2 pounds

Product Description
1920. New knowledge from inner teaching by the spirit of truth, on divine immanence, the science of being, creative and cosmic processes, the origin of life and genera, the nature and destiny of man, the incarnation of Christ, the mystery of vicarious atonement and regeneration, the works of the Holy Spirit, the way of discipleship and ministry of healing.

Reader Reviews
Quote: "292. The Foundation.-: "Other foundation can not man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (I Cor. 3:11) Jesus Christ is the source and means of all Christian realization. All attainment is in Christ by the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Human means of character building are no part of the method. The Son of God came to redeem man-kind from the power of sin, and to give life and immortality to as many as would receive Him. In His prayer for His disciples, again in Gethsemane, and on the cross, He testified to having finished the work given Him to do. From that hour, the way of redemption, regeneration, and realization of all that is ours in Christ has been open." (p. 233) Dr. Riddell's book is one of the more fascinating looks at the Christian faith I have ever embarked on. When I first cracked this volume I was worried that the strange ideas and challenges to my world-view would keep me from taking in the message the Lord had for me here. I was worried that I would find some piece of errata that would make me shut out the whole book for fear of apostasy or doctrine of demons. Far from doctrine of demons, Vital Christianity has opened the world of prayer, and scripture reading to me in a new and profound sense. I find myself in spiritual disciplines, enjoying myself in a way I have not known since I first converted. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a child again and approach the truth of God with new perspective? Quote: "274. We are prone to praise God according to our feelings. This is a mistake: how we chance to feel should not be considered. In fact, the less attention we pay to our feelings and the more we rejoice in the presence, perfection and manifestation of Christ with-in, the more will His perfection come into expression. Praise in the hour of trial is our way to grace for overcoming. Praise in pain and distress brings the healing touch. Even in the depths of discouragement and the darkness of despair he that trusts God and offers up the sacrifice of praise will receive strength. The fact that Christ gives us Himself with all His virtues, attributes, powers and eternal Life is sufficient cause for praise and thanksgiving, no matter what our temporal conditions." Frankly and I do not know why, no one in the church has ever said that to me before. I think it is critical to know. Something else the church has never taught me: "Satan suggests excuses for one besetting sin on the ground that a Christian has so many virtues that God will overlook one mistake. Satan is a liar and the father of lies. As the law of gravity takes into account the slightest weight; so spiritual law registers the slightest deviation from righteousness. God forgives the penitent soul; but He never suspends law." Riddell writes about a number of astounding ideas. He has a theory of spiritual development represented by a variety of baptisms. 1. Wooing and conversion leads to being baptized into Jesus death (being crucified with Him and accepting the atonement of blood) 2. Breath of life - Regeneration (as breathed into us by Jesus when we are converted) 3. The gift and anointing of the Holy Spirit - Spiritual baptism - (acts 1:8, I Cor. 12:1-11) 4. The baptism of fire (Heb 12:29, Luke 3:16) This is the refiners fire that abolishes the human duality of conscience and the conflict between good and evil, it ushers in a free divine / human spirit in communion with God. 5. The conscious realization of Christ - In this state the lower self is seen as the creature, the temple, the servant, the psycho-physical vehicle of the Divine Self (Jesus) 6. Paradise - a state of bliss - The spirit of Christ pervades paradise, imparting to all goodness, self-forgetfulness, and thoughtfulness for others. Here the Holy Spirit is ever removing limitations and increasing capacity for the expression of God's will. This is a preparatory school for eternity. Ridell's concept of purgatory 7. Eternity - the real Heavens, the very abode of God and the place which John the revelator was caught up into. Sure, I imagine one could find a lot to disagree with. Lets keep going. Riddell on the end times: Quote: "337. The time is at hand for a fuller revelation and manifestation of God in man. We are choosing and being chosen for the culminating crisis. There is a new awakening and a new experience for those that heed the instruction of the Prophet to "ask ye of Yahweh rain in the time of the latter rain." (Zec 10:1) Those that willfully reject the outpouring of the Spirit will for a time be cut off from their inheritance, and so related to the world's wickedness as to suffer with it." Was that interesting? Lets get scandalous. Riddell on healing: Quote: "Jesus makes the ministry of healing one of the proofs of His Deity and supernatural power as the Son of God. He commissioned His disciples and followers to exercise this power in His name as a sign of His authority, presence, and loving compassion for suffering humanity; but nowhere is the accepting or experiencing of bodily healing made essential to salvation. There is no word in Scripture to indicate that the original commission and ministry of healing by the Spirit would ever be withdrawn; but much that implies that it should continue to the end of the age." He backs up his assertions with scripture and personal experience. Apparently in the 1920s Dr. Riddell was a well known lecture circuit speaker and evangelist. I am thoroughly enjoying this book and would highly recommend it to any Christian who has an open mind.