Scougal on religion
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01 Feb Scougal on religion

Posted at 14:39h in Discipling, Spirituality by

Henry Scougal (1650-1678) wrote a book entitled, The Life of God in the Soul of Man, and it was reading this book that brought about a deep conversion in George Whitefield. At the beginning, Scougal defines religion and those that practice it as follows:

They know by experience that true religion is a union of the soul with God, a real participation of the divine nature, the very image of God drawn upon the soul, or, in the apostle’s phrase, “It is Christ formed within us.” . . . .

. . . . religion being a resemblance of the divine perfections, the image of the Almighty shining in the soul of man: nay, it is a real participation of his nature, it is a beam of the eternal light, a drop of that infinite ocean of goodness; and they who are endowed with it may be said to have “God dwelling in their souls, and Christ formed within them.” (39, 44)

I found this quote majestic and extremely challenging. What defines religion in your life–in your church? How does it compare to Scougal’s conception?

All the best for the Journey, Gavin.

Gavin Anthony
gavin.anthony@gmail.com