For Sinners Only

There have always been men who were "voices in the wilderness." No, not all were preaching or evangelizing to set men on the true path, nor were they out to begin a new religious denomination. There were people such as Martin Luther who rose up to reform. Men who saw the failings of certain religious teachings but not so the Oxford Groups. Almost to the contrary, the Oxford movement sought out individuals and invited them to look within and repent their sins to God. The movement started in the early 1920 with one man who had studied at Cambridge, England.His belief was that to make restitution was a sign to God that an individual truly repented of their sins. The primary healing came from action, going to the one you had wronged and make it right. Do not hide by saying, "I have confessed to God and my sins are forgiven, I will sin no more." This was just a baby step if a step at all.FOR SINNERS ONLY was written by A. J. Russell a journalist who had heard of the Oxford movement and wanted to write a series of articles which would disprove it as true evangelical movement and show it to be what so many were in that time in England as just another mis-led man of the clothe, a minster struggling to gather a flock, to bring the word to the sinners who were outside the conventional churches of the time. As Russell began his investigation of the group he found it to be to his amazement, a pure and solid message of spiritual growth and a movement which complemented the established churches in England and abroad. The movement moved from Cambridge to Oxford and attracted intellectual minds who were studying philosophy and religion. Many were facuilty of these schools. There was no fault found in the Oxford movement. A small band of intellectuals hit their knees prayed and did an act of restitution to rid themselves of past sin.The key to the Oxford movement was very straightforward, self examination led by example of those within the movement (a semi-leadership group). The example was praised by clergy of all the major churches from Anglican to Catholic. They met in what were called "house meetings" at these meeting new members had a chance to share (to fellowship) their conversion experience. There was no humiliation, no calling forth to repent, no, you were invited to be part of the group. Your sharing was from your own conviction making it a more shame and guilt free experience. From there you as a member of the fellowship usually wanted to share your story. The Oxford group thought sharing at "house meetings" was enough (along with restitution). They were not in favor of the traditional "Camp meetings" so popular with the evangelical movements. No, example of change and word of mouth were the vehicles of their rapid growth.The single believe which lead the movement was that, " to hold a sin (hide it from your fellow) was to estrange yourself from a true communion (communication) with God. The Oxford group was concerned with your communications directly with God regardless of your denominational affiliation. Hence, its acceptance by the organized clergy. The movement aimed at having its members fellowship like the original Apostles. To go back to live and practice first century Christianity. They said, "we wanted to remember that Paul wanted to start a church by first recounting the story of his change." To achieve a lasting change and the new life the Oxford group had developed some tenants to follow. These principles were known as the Four Absolutes; Surrendering, Honesty, Sharing (Fellowship) and Purity. These were not new they were found as basic tenants in all churches.With in the disciplines followed by the Oxford groups members practiced the development of "Quiet Time." This was a period of time where the Oxford group member would meditate and seek to become open for communication with God directly. As it says in the bible, "Be still and know I am God." The discipline of meditation was key to becoming right sized, equal to all your fellows. Another important tenant of the group. Many in the groups shared that these times were great periods of illumination, direct spiritual guidance. Quiet time was practiced daily sometimes in large groups or alone, the important thing is that the discipline was followed.The group was not secular or religious it was meant to developed a spiritual way of life. To be a person who was in their daily life present for the will of God as he understood God to guide his life. The key was that the Oxford practitioner was truly determined to seek out the will of God for his life. Many experiences are shared in the book of how the Quiet time played a significant role in making the God connection. The other hidden strength of the Oxford group is in never tried to convert anyone, just bring them to the point where they wanted to seek God as they, the individual believed. Not all who came in contact with the Oxford group had leanings toward a Higher Power. The sought that of their own free will.What is not mentioned in the book is the amazing world wide impact their principles and practices would eventually have on our society. A.J. Russell concluded that his journey with the Oxford grip was personally life changing . The movement can best be summed up by a statement of a renowned scholar familiar with the Oxford Group. Cannon L. W. Grensted wrote the following (ca1930); "What I see in it, (Oxford Group) is an immense amount of hope for the whole spiritual life of the world……."This book NOT FOR SINNERS is not to be merely read, no it is to be digested, studied. Any individual interested in developing a freeing spiritual life, who may be in a program which follows a path using certain "spiritual principles or steps", then this book will be spiritual nectar along your journey.Tom Wicks

For Sinners Only by A. J. Russell, tells the story of the author's investigation of the Oxford Groups, growing involvement with them, and encounters with the founder Frank Buchman and others. It was first published in 1932. For those, like me, who are interested in the Oxford Groups because of the legacy they left to the twelve step programs that developed out of them beginning with Alcoholics Anonymous, this book possesses particular value because it shows the Oxford Groups as they were before the development of those other programs. Unlike a lot of other books on the Oxford Groups written by twelve-step people after AA started, this book presents the Oxford Groups as they were before AA split off. Russell does a fine job of speaking honestly concerning his doubts and reservations about aspects of Buchman's movement as he became involved it in, so this is no "puff job" like some other glowing literature on the subject. Russell was a reporter by profession, and he brings all his journalistic skills to the task.

I did not mean to give this book 5 stars - maybe one. I think the book may be good --BUT the ridiculous typos detracted me so much, I found I was looking for typos rather than concentrating on the book. Just a few examples - "We sealed for home" should be sailed, "We went writing into the country" Should be riding. In a story about a man named Bill - he was also referred to as Build. Many sentences were so messed up, it was not possible to figure out the meaning.I looked up Bottom of the Hill Publishers and suggested someone there should actually read the book. There was no response.If you have other books from this publishers, someone should check them before offering them for sale.Marguerite Ferdinand

This is the best and the hardest book I've ever read on sin and the sinner. It is a MUST read for any who truly want a closer walk with the Lord at any cost. It will cost you something if you follow the suggestions of this book. It will cost your pride, your ego, your hypocrisy and your sin. You will gain peace with God and others.It is a challenging book. It will ask you the final question as to how serious your walk with God really is. It leaves you with an inevitable soul-searching decision. It is well worth every minute invested in reading it. Cutting out sin is painful but necessary to keeping it out. Read, obey, and grow.

Great book. There were points where I thought to myself, "when everything is highlighted, nothing is highlighted", because I found myself highlighting so much. If you are an AA, then this is really interesting because there is so much of a similarity between this and the Big Book that it is more than obvious that Bill W. studied this book on the way to writing the BB. I did see a review complaining that there were misspellings in the book. These were either differences in spelling with today's, it was written in Europe, or poetic license to make the word fit an flow into a poetic form. I found nothing to complain about here.

I loved this book so much! Powerful, practical message about changed lives. Read it if you want to deepen your faith and change your life and the lives of others! I had always imagined the Oxford Group members as older couples gathering together for prayer. Boy was I wrong! These members were educated, young, honest and passionate and lived out their faith daily. Since starting this book I have been adding more Quiet Time to my daily morning routine in hopes of receiving God's guidance in more areas of my life such as carrying the message. Enjoy this book!