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The Existence and Attributes of God, Volume 1-2
A Classic Work on the Nature of God by Stephen Charnock Stephen Charnock was a highly regarded seventeenth-century English Puritan theologian whose writings have continued to influence the church for centuries. He is known for his sophisticated approach to topics such as the existence and attributes of God, the person and work of Christ, and the doctrine of sin. This two-volume set, edited by Mark Jones, contains an updated and unabridged edition of Charnock's classic work, Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God , written to instruct and encourage Christian pastors, theologians, and laypeople. Jones precedes each discourse with an introductory summary that explains Charnock’s general approach. In this clear, modernized presentation of this classic work, readers will experience his skillful exegesis, his influential way with words, his insight into human nature, his concern with the practical implications of who God is, and his Christ-focused approach to theology.
1760 pages, Leather Bound
Published October 18, 2022
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About the author
Stephen Charnock
208 books38 followersStephen Charnock (1628–1680), Puritan divine, was an English Puritan Presbyterian clergyman born at the St Katherine Cree parish of London.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 5, 2025
Remarkable. Charnock is committed to extolling the wonders of God consistent with classical theism, but in a way both imminently respectful but also vivid befitting the glory of the subject. A praise-inspiring read that I have long desired to complete, and that now I look forward to reading again.
December 15, 2024
Excellent. I can't imagine I would have stayed awake during these sermons, but reading them was a wonderful experience. Charnock is exemplary with respect to thoughtful theological application.
December 23, 2023
Phenomenal…
Through Charnock, God has certainly shown me more of Himself. I read this almost everyday since Feb. and it was delight to read. Though it was so deep and rich, spoonfuls at a time helped encourage and edify me in the mornings, motivating my service to the God who I had just read about.
Chranock highlights the evidence and necessity for Gods existence and then has about 10 more discourses on certain attributes. Each one was excellent, but if you were to only read two of them, read “wisdom of God” and “goodness of God.”
Charnock wrote with such sophistication. He often restated something 3 different times, each time hitting a different aspect. It was a beautiful thing to watch him beat a horse dead, then resurrect it and do it again.
There are so many things I appreciated about this work, but 2 stand out among the rest:
1. Charnock was Christ centered in his handling of each attribute. He often was very philosophical like most puritans are but was always looking to connect his main points to Jesus and he did it well.
2. Charnock would bring each of Gods attributes together harmoniously, displaying how each related and coincided with the other. Very helpful!
I would say it would be worth it to read through all 1,615 pages of these two volumes even if it takes you 5 years. I’ll lend you my copies!
Through Charnock, God has certainly shown me more of Himself. I read this almost everyday since Feb. and it was delight to read. Though it was so deep and rich, spoonfuls at a time helped encourage and edify me in the mornings, motivating my service to the God who I had just read about.
Chranock highlights the evidence and necessity for Gods existence and then has about 10 more discourses on certain attributes. Each one was excellent, but if you were to only read two of them, read “wisdom of God” and “goodness of God.”
Charnock wrote with such sophistication. He often restated something 3 different times, each time hitting a different aspect. It was a beautiful thing to watch him beat a horse dead, then resurrect it and do it again.
There are so many things I appreciated about this work, but 2 stand out among the rest:
1. Charnock was Christ centered in his handling of each attribute. He often was very philosophical like most puritans are but was always looking to connect his main points to Jesus and he did it well.
2. Charnock would bring each of Gods attributes together harmoniously, displaying how each related and coincided with the other. Very helpful!
I would say it would be worth it to read through all 1,615 pages of these two volumes even if it takes you 5 years. I’ll lend you my copies!
March 3, 2024
One of the greatest books ever written. Churches should include a study through The Existence and Attributes of God as part of their discipleship program.
December 2, 2023
4.5 stars. A massive book. An incredible treatment of God’s perfections, rooted in exegesis and filled with plenty of application (“uses”). Some of the chapters are quite longwinded, crazy to think these were first delivered as sermons! Charnock’s theology proper was quite good. On occasion, his anthropology comes out, which reveals a deficient view of the body. Nonetheless, I recommend this book.
June 17, 2025
Best read in small chunks and best read with friends. Thankful that God gave this man the grace and perseverance to attempt and complete this work. It was as impactful as Charnock was verbose (in a refreshing way).
January 11, 2025
Big one. It is good for the mind to consider God.
January 4, 2024
Read the first volume, covering pages 1-732.
6 ⭐️! Enough have been said concerning the wows of this magnus opus from the pen of the old Charnock. Without a doubt, this work is one of the greatest on the doctrine of God in the whole history of the church. If you looking for something with scholastic precision (even though Charnock often mentions he don't want to burden his readers,originally hearers, with the School's categories, that is, scholastic precisions and languages, he still uses historically thomistic and scholastic categories), pastorale intentions and experimental applications, don't hesitate. I can't remember of reading something more convicting on hypocrisy and half-hearted worship than the treatise on practical atheism. The last treatise of this first volume is a 100 plus pages on God's knowledge and it is an amazingly substantive treatment !
Also, this new Crossway's edition is not only amazingly beautiful, but the editorial works is substantially helpful. Mark Jones introductions to each chapters are all really helpful for a more contextually reformed perspective. But what I find the most useful is the great efforts he did in finding all the sources of references Charnock does (that are impressively vaste and abondant!) For study, this is really priceless and worth the investment of buying this new edition even if you have the old one.
6 ⭐️! Enough have been said concerning the wows of this magnus opus from the pen of the old Charnock. Without a doubt, this work is one of the greatest on the doctrine of God in the whole history of the church. If you looking for something with scholastic precision (even though Charnock often mentions he don't want to burden his readers,originally hearers, with the School's categories, that is, scholastic precisions and languages, he still uses historically thomistic and scholastic categories), pastorale intentions and experimental applications, don't hesitate. I can't remember of reading something more convicting on hypocrisy and half-hearted worship than the treatise on practical atheism. The last treatise of this first volume is a 100 plus pages on God's knowledge and it is an amazingly substantive treatment !
Also, this new Crossway's edition is not only amazingly beautiful, but the editorial works is substantially helpful. Mark Jones introductions to each chapters are all really helpful for a more contextually reformed perspective. But what I find the most useful is the great efforts he did in finding all the sources of references Charnock does (that are impressively vaste and abondant!) For study, this is really priceless and worth the investment of buying this new edition even if you have the old one.
January 16, 2024
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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WHAT'S THE EXISTENCE AND ATTRIBUTES OF GOD?
Crossway has given the world a gift by publishing an unabridged edition of Charnock's classic work on God's attributes. Over 14 Discourses (that really could be published individually as books), Charnock describes some of God's attributes. He starts with almost 100 pages on God's existence—mostly drawing on the so-called "Classical" proofs, then he moves on to eleven attributes of God, with two bonus discourses on related practical matters.
The topics in the first volume were God’s Existence (and practical atheism), God’s Being a Spirit (and spiritual worship), God's Eternity, Immutability, Omnipresence, and Knowledge. Volume Two covers His Wisdom, Power, Holiness, Goodness, Dominion, and Patience. No easy reading there (but the effort is more than worth it).
Some (but not all) of the language has been updated (there've been some footnotes added to help explain the bits that haven't been), punctuation has been modernized, as have paragraph sizes (maybe sentence length, too). Jones cleaned up some of the section numbers and whatnot, too.
Jones has also provided footnotes showing more of Charnock's citations than the original manuscripts did, demonstrating the wide range of sources he drew from. The nicest addition to this edition from Jones, however, (unless you're a student or someone wanting to plunge deep into his citations) are the summaries of each discourse, helping the reader to know what they're in for and what to keep an eye out for.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE EXISTENCE AND ATTRIBUTES OF GOD?
This is just a great work—it's not the easiest read in the world, but it's not that bad, either. Charnock's on the accessible end of the Puritan spectrum. (Jones' editorial work no doubt helped a bit with that).
I wasn't crazy about the two practical discourses—Discourse 2: On Practical Atheism and Discourse 4: On Spiritual Worship. Which were offshoots of Discourse 1: On God’s Existence and Discourse 3: On God’s Being a Spirit. Not that there was anything wrong with them or that I didn't benefit from the experience of reading them—I absolutely did. But they're not what I came for, I was reading for explorations of God's attributes and/or existence. Now, if each discourse had a practical follow-up, I wouldn't be writing this paragraph. But these two outliers just seemed out of place.
Charnock does a fantastic job explaining these attributes. I've read a handful of works (largely shaped by him) in the last few years on these ideas—and I still learned something from each chapter, rather somethings.
Obviously, this isn't a definitive, exhaustive work—it cannot be (and would be blasphemous to suggest otherwise). But when you're in the middle of a chapter, it'd be easy to think it is. Not just because of the depth he goes into on each topic, but the angles he approaches it from. In the middle of the Discourse on God's Knowledge, I was astounded, for example, by how many different ways he talked about it.
Now that I'm looking back over the whole first volume, the chapter on God's eternity is the one that stands out as the high point. The discourses on God's Wisdom and Goodness were the standouts for me in Volume Two. But they're all beneficial (although the practical discourses, and the final one, "On God's Patience" didn't seem to pack the same punch as the rest) both in terms of didactic and doxological value.
It's easy to see why this work has stood the test of time and can't imagine anything in the 21st Century topping it (maybe someone will get their act together in the 22nd). Most highly recommended.
---
WHAT'S THE EXISTENCE AND ATTRIBUTES OF GOD?
Crossway has given the world a gift by publishing an unabridged edition of Charnock's classic work on God's attributes. Over 14 Discourses (that really could be published individually as books), Charnock describes some of God's attributes. He starts with almost 100 pages on God's existence—mostly drawing on the so-called "Classical" proofs, then he moves on to eleven attributes of God, with two bonus discourses on related practical matters.
The topics in the first volume were God’s Existence (and practical atheism), God’s Being a Spirit (and spiritual worship), God's Eternity, Immutability, Omnipresence, and Knowledge. Volume Two covers His Wisdom, Power, Holiness, Goodness, Dominion, and Patience. No easy reading there (but the effort is more than worth it).
Some (but not all) of the language has been updated (there've been some footnotes added to help explain the bits that haven't been), punctuation has been modernized, as have paragraph sizes (maybe sentence length, too). Jones cleaned up some of the section numbers and whatnot, too.
Jones has also provided footnotes showing more of Charnock's citations than the original manuscripts did, demonstrating the wide range of sources he drew from. The nicest addition to this edition from Jones, however, (unless you're a student or someone wanting to plunge deep into his citations) are the summaries of each discourse, helping the reader to know what they're in for and what to keep an eye out for.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE EXISTENCE AND ATTRIBUTES OF GOD?
This is just a great work—it's not the easiest read in the world, but it's not that bad, either. Charnock's on the accessible end of the Puritan spectrum. (Jones' editorial work no doubt helped a bit with that).
I wasn't crazy about the two practical discourses—Discourse 2: On Practical Atheism and Discourse 4: On Spiritual Worship. Which were offshoots of Discourse 1: On God’s Existence and Discourse 3: On God’s Being a Spirit. Not that there was anything wrong with them or that I didn't benefit from the experience of reading them—I absolutely did. But they're not what I came for, I was reading for explorations of God's attributes and/or existence. Now, if each discourse had a practical follow-up, I wouldn't be writing this paragraph. But these two outliers just seemed out of place.
Charnock does a fantastic job explaining these attributes. I've read a handful of works (largely shaped by him) in the last few years on these ideas—and I still learned something from each chapter, rather somethings.
Obviously, this isn't a definitive, exhaustive work—it cannot be (and would be blasphemous to suggest otherwise). But when you're in the middle of a chapter, it'd be easy to think it is. Not just because of the depth he goes into on each topic, but the angles he approaches it from. In the middle of the Discourse on God's Knowledge, I was astounded, for example, by how many different ways he talked about it.
Now that I'm looking back over the whole first volume, the chapter on God's eternity is the one that stands out as the high point. The discourses on God's Wisdom and Goodness were the standouts for me in Volume Two. But they're all beneficial (although the practical discourses, and the final one, "On God's Patience" didn't seem to pack the same punch as the rest) both in terms of didactic and doxological value.
It's easy to see why this work has stood the test of time and can't imagine anything in the 21st Century topping it (maybe someone will get their act together in the 22nd). Most highly recommended.
May 30, 2023
What can we know about the nature of God? Stephen Charnock’s The Existence and Attributes of God is a classic work worth revisiting today. Updated and unabridged, this new 2-volume set from Crossway is a handsome edition for your study.
The Wisdom of God
The first volume begins with an essay on the life and character of Stephen Charnock, written by William Symington. He states that Charnock’s excellent preaching was eminently evangelical. I was also interested to learn of Charnock’s writing and his prominent place amongst the Puritans.
The second volume opens with a beautiful discourse on the wisdom of God. Charnock highlights the incarnation, and how the wisdom of God is revealed and appointing the son as a mediator. He declares that the union of both natures of Christ is incomprehensible. Furthermore, God’s wisdom, friends together, both mercy and justice. It is a powerful treatment of an important doctrine.
The Existence of God
In regards to God’s existence, Charnock introduced me to reasons I had not considered before. For instance, in Discourse 1, Charnock explains how fear would not be possible without the existence of God. Fear exists because of sin, and it is telling when we fear because of something wrong we have done.
Mike Jones provides an editor’s summary before each discourse, with an overview of Charnock’s thoughts and tracing his flow. Jones shows how the discourses are connected to each other, which helps you grasp the big picture of the books. I found his footnotes to be quite helpful in following along.
The Goodness of God
I was most surprised to see the topic of spiritual worship appear in Discourse 4. Charnock’s puritanism comes out as he explains that glorifying God consists in worshiping God properly. But Charnock is not dour. He states that delight in God, and worshiping him in reverence — can coexist.
I was most moved to read of God’s goodness and Discourse 12. God delights in himself as well as in his creatures. Ultimately, God‘s goodness is revealed in his works of creation and redemption. Charnock is worshipful throughout, and his words warmed my heart.
The Patience of God
Interestingly, the book closes with a discourse on God’s patience. The fact that God desires reconciliation with his creatures is incredible. I was convicted of my own lack of patience in many areas of my life, and convinced to desire God’s patient disposition toward sinners. Of course, God’s patience peaks at Christ. It is a strong end to a beautiful book, and one that carries significant still today.
I received a media copy of The Existence and Attributes of God and this is my honest review.
The Wisdom of God
The first volume begins with an essay on the life and character of Stephen Charnock, written by William Symington. He states that Charnock’s excellent preaching was eminently evangelical. I was also interested to learn of Charnock’s writing and his prominent place amongst the Puritans.
The second volume opens with a beautiful discourse on the wisdom of God. Charnock highlights the incarnation, and how the wisdom of God is revealed and appointing the son as a mediator. He declares that the union of both natures of Christ is incomprehensible. Furthermore, God’s wisdom, friends together, both mercy and justice. It is a powerful treatment of an important doctrine.
The Existence of God
In regards to God’s existence, Charnock introduced me to reasons I had not considered before. For instance, in Discourse 1, Charnock explains how fear would not be possible without the existence of God. Fear exists because of sin, and it is telling when we fear because of something wrong we have done.
Mike Jones provides an editor’s summary before each discourse, with an overview of Charnock’s thoughts and tracing his flow. Jones shows how the discourses are connected to each other, which helps you grasp the big picture of the books. I found his footnotes to be quite helpful in following along.
The Goodness of God
I was most surprised to see the topic of spiritual worship appear in Discourse 4. Charnock’s puritanism comes out as he explains that glorifying God consists in worshiping God properly. But Charnock is not dour. He states that delight in God, and worshiping him in reverence — can coexist.
I was most moved to read of God’s goodness and Discourse 12. God delights in himself as well as in his creatures. Ultimately, God‘s goodness is revealed in his works of creation and redemption. Charnock is worshipful throughout, and his words warmed my heart.
The Patience of God
Interestingly, the book closes with a discourse on God’s patience. The fact that God desires reconciliation with his creatures is incredible. I was convicted of my own lack of patience in many areas of my life, and convinced to desire God’s patient disposition toward sinners. Of course, God’s patience peaks at Christ. It is a strong end to a beautiful book, and one that carries significant still today.
I received a media copy of The Existence and Attributes of God and this is my honest review.
May 31, 2025
Crossway sent me a copy of “The Existence and Attributes of God” by Stephen Charnock in exchange for an honest review.
This set is an absolute must-have for any Christian library! For starters, the volumes are gorgeous. The beauty and quality are on par with the deluxe edition of Bavinck's Reformed Dogmatics. The quality of the cover is surpassed by the content. Modern evangelicalism is, I think, increasingly unmoored from the history of Christ's church. With this drift, I don't find it at all surprising that we're seeing a resurgence of ancient errors. This is where Charnock and Crossway come into the picture. Charnock was a Presbyterian, but the contents of these volumes are directly relevant to every Christian. Charnock's discourses are a robust defense of classical theism. The discourses are thoroughly biblical and reasonable. Crossway has done the church a great service in republishing this work, and for that they should be highly commended. Christians of every sort will benefit from engaging with Charnock's work.
This set is an absolute must-have for any Christian library! For starters, the volumes are gorgeous. The beauty and quality are on par with the deluxe edition of Bavinck's Reformed Dogmatics. The quality of the cover is surpassed by the content. Modern evangelicalism is, I think, increasingly unmoored from the history of Christ's church. With this drift, I don't find it at all surprising that we're seeing a resurgence of ancient errors. This is where Charnock and Crossway come into the picture. Charnock was a Presbyterian, but the contents of these volumes are directly relevant to every Christian. Charnock's discourses are a robust defense of classical theism. The discourses are thoroughly biblical and reasonable. Crossway has done the church a great service in republishing this work, and for that they should be highly commended. Christians of every sort will benefit from engaging with Charnock's work.
July 13, 2023
10 outta 10. 10 outta 10, 100 outta 100. Best book. Best book.
September 4, 2024
Wordy, long, repetitive at times.
But so reflective, makes you slow down.
Section on Practical Atheism is extremely convicting.
But so reflective, makes you slow down.
Section on Practical Atheism is extremely convicting.
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