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Practical Religion (Living Classics for Today)

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There is quite the movement in today's evangelical circles to the idea of "practical theology." Living what you believe, or 'walking the walk, if you will. What this movement sorely misses however is that to "live what you believe," you must KNOW WHAT YOU BELIEVE! Ryle deftly walks the line between Systematic and Practical theologies, constantly forcing the reader to stop and examine his/her own life. What is the point of theology if it doesn't impact your walk? Ryle challenges the "talk" and the "walk" at the same time. Not recommended for those who do not wish to engage in "Self-Examination," but highly recommended for those who truly wish to make Truth the reflection in the mirror of their lives.

What does a Christian do? What are the duties of the Christian life? What are the privileges of the Christian person? How does my faith in Christ affect my day-to-day living? My outlook on life and the world around me? J. C. Ryle answers these questions with his characteristic (but uncommon) wisdom, certainty and plainness. It is no mistake that this volume of his practical divinity (the others being `Holiness,' `Knots Untied' and `Old Paths') carries a subtitle that begins `Being Plain.' If Ryle is anything, he is plain. He is straight-forward, sincere, honest and eminently practical. Ryle just plain makes sense. His interpretation and application of the texts are impeccable. He makes Christian theology and the practice of heart-religion seem so simple and obvious and beautiful that I sometimes wonder what Bible I've been reading all these years to have missed so many beautiful truths!

Ryle speaks to both common and uncommon subjects in this volume. Prayer, Bible-reading, and attendance at the Lord's Table are duties which are well-known to every professing believer. His treatment of `Zeal,' `Formality' and `Sickness,' however, are bound to make the nominal Christian more than a little uncomfortable. Ryle speaks to the heart and soul of every man. He wields the sword of the Spirit like a skilful surgeon, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow. His sword strikes true and cuts deep-especially to those whose religion is a matter of practice and not a matter of the heart. It is clear that the title `Practical Religion' does not speak of a formula for mere religious action (nothing was more abhorrent to Ryle than heartless religion), but of those acts which are done by those whose faith is a way of life.

Christian, read J. C. Ryle. You will not regret it. He is a man who first and foremost loves the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the vital center of all his teaching and writing and the sole reason for his great power in ministry. Whether you are an erudite scholar or a hard-laboring farmer, a pastor or a layman, a spiritual elder or a babe in Christ--no matter where you are--Ryle's writings are for you. The love of Christ and the faith of this great 18th century saint cling to every page like an aromatic perfume. He is quickly becoming one of my very favorite writers. I have no doubt he will win a place in your heart (and your bookshelf) as well.

Here is a brief quote from one of my favorite chapters to whet your appetite: `Perhaps you have thought that if a man's religion is correct outwardly, he must be one with whom God is well pleased. You are completely mistaken. You are rejecting the whole tenor of Bible teaching. Outward correctness without a right heart is neither more nor less than Pharisaism. The outward things of Christianity,--baptism, the Lord's Supper, Church-membership, almsgiving, and the like,--will never take any man's soul to heaven, unless his heart is right. There must be inward things as well as outward,--and it is on the inward things that God's eyes are chiefly fixed' (p. 269).

Of all the books I have read in the past few years, no one has influenced my life as Bishop J.C. Ryle has. His writtings give the perfect balance of Law and grace and will help you to better understand the Christian life to a deeper and richer level. I am very thankful for the writings of this man. I would recommend his other works including "Old Paths." His expository commentaries on the Gospels are wonderful, too. Find out why J.C. Ryle has impacted Christians for over 100 years.

The problem with Christians and their ministers, that I am liable to as well and that Bishop Ryle addresses in this text is summed up in the following statements:

"... we live in a day of weak and feeble statements. The danger of the state of nature is feebly exposed. The privileges of the state of grace are feebly set forth. Hesitating souls are not encouraged. Disciples are not established and confirmed. The man out of Christ is not rightly alarmed. The man in Christ is not rightly built up. The one sleeps on, and seldom has his conscience pricked. The other creeps and crawls all his days and never thoroughly understands the riches of his inheritance." (p. 454)

"But to have religion enough to be saved, and yet not go into extremes, -- to be sufficiently good, and yet not be peculiar, -- to have a quiet, easy-going, moderate kind of Christianity, and go comfortably to heaven after all, -- this is the world's favorite idea. There is a third class, a safe middle class, the world fancies, and in this middle class the majority of men persuade themselves they will be found." (p. 446)

He answers the challenges of the above statements through systematic forceful compassionate stinging offending bold unashamed essays on what the Scriptures say about what Christianity is, and what true Christians are like. The readers will not only find systematic treatments on what the Bible teaches about Jesus Christ, the gospel, zeal, happiness, heaven (under the heading "Our Home") and hell, the church, holiness, charity, formalism, the absolute necessity of spiritual disciplines of prayers, Bible reading and ordinances, the end times (the great gathering and the great separation), but also piercing questions to the point that I feel as if he were forcing you to deal with the questions at hand in often an obnoxious manner which I think is very good, appropriate, and necessary. The readers will find heart-searching, self-examining questions as:

"Is your religion a matter of form, not of heart? Answer this question honestly, and as in the sight of God. And if it is, consider solemnly the immense danger in which you stand.... I earnestly beseech you this day to know your danger, to open your eyes and repent...if you only have a name to live, and a form of godliness without power, awake and repent. Awake, above all, if you are an evangelical formalist... There is no formalism so dangerous as evangelism formalism.... Whatever religion you have, never be content with wearing a cloak." (p.281-282)

There are few indeed, ministers with uncommon wisdom and vision of the signs of the times, the dangerous ones particularly; of whom Ryle is one of them, not only in the 1800's but O how much still and even more applicable today, the sober warnings from the Scriptures of the necessity of earnestness, serious, fight of faith to enter the strait gate and narrow way. "Practical Religion" is a Christian jewel that needs to be in every Christian family's library.

The title of this compilation from JC Ryle really doesn't do justice to this gem. Ryle's personal life story is incredible in itself and this anthology of his essays on important aspects of the Christian faith showcases the intellect and the pastoral heart of one of the great preachers of the 19th century. At the end of every individual essay, I found myself saying: "that's the best exposition on that subject I've ever read." Ryle presents the Christian faith with a pastor's heart and a scholar's mind. Great reading!

Practical Religion is a classic book on Christian living by one of the finest Christian authors of the 19th century J.C.Ryle.Anyone that is familiar with any of his books should no doubt be acutely aware of the unction that is present in his published works.
A couple of things that set apart the finer older Christian books from much of current Christian literature are the searching aspect and spiritual depth of their writings.
One such example can be found in the chapter `Reality',Bishop Ryle writes "your religion,if it is real,and given by the Holy Ghost,must be in your heart.It must occupy the citadel.It must hold the reins.It must sway the affections.It must lead the will.It must fill the deepest,lowest,inmost seat in your soul.Is this your religion?If not,you may well whether it is real and true." Where is the probing of the conscience in current mainstream Christian writing?
In the chapter entitled `Charity' which in modern language would be called love,Ryle describes what love is not and briefly explains what Christian love is,and insightfully points out why charity is called the greatest of the graces.With God there is not hope,everything is certain.With God there is no faith for He is completely self sufficient,but God is love and when believers are loving their sonship becomes more evident.One day faith and hope will no longer remain for the Chrisitan but love will endure forever.
An important and interesting aspect of `Practical Religion' is the variety of subjects considered.There is an extremely encouraging chapter on zeal.J.C.Ryle masterfully demonstrates how zeal is important for the individual,for the Church in general and how the Lord seems to delight to honour this grace.He also gives some historical examples of zealous men that God has used mightily and whose influence exceeded those who were more gifted than they were(intellectually),and perhaps other ways as well.
Powerful practical applications abound in each chapter.In `Riches and Poverty'the danger and soul ruining sin of selfishness is exposed.Christ died for those who should not henceforth live unto themselves and ryle draws the thoroughly Biblical conclusion from the parable of the rich man and Lazarus,that if we like the rich man live only for ourselves,we shall ruin our souls eternally.
The full title is Practical Religion being plain paers on the daily duties,experience,dangers and privileges of professing Christians.
Has a book been written,in the last twenty years or so,that deals with self inquiry,the world,eternity,formality,prayer,going to the table,Bible reading and previous chapters that were cited,with the power and spiritual richness and depth of Ryle's `Practical Religion'.This reviewer would be pleasantly surprised if anything comes remotely

A tremendous book! No fluff, no watery messages, just plain, simple, convicting truth! A book to be read and re-read many many times.