Book excerpt: This Classic book - The Backslider in Heart -- introduces and orients the reader to critical biblical/theological thinking from a biblical perspective. Finney's presentation is written with a clarity that fosters biblical thought and facilitates Bible comprehension. You won't be disappointed. While staunch Calvinists believed in the perseverance of the saints, Finney believed that a Christian could "backslide," or turn back from the Christian life and revert to a life of sin. In this address, Finney clarifies his theology of backsliding, first explaining what it is not, then what it is. He describes what a backslidden life might look like, and what consequences living in sin bring upon the sinner. Finney is consistently one of the best Bible scholars and this one is at the top of his writing. He's bold in his writings but solid in Scripture. "It's impossible to measure the influence of Finney over God's church. His works remain in print and are widely read, which shouldn't surprise us. He is considered one of the most outstanding pastoral, evangelistic writers on practical and devotional themes.