J.C. Ryle
Prepared to Stand Alone
Weight | 0.42 kg |
---|---|
Dimensions | 21.5 × 13.6 × 1.8 cm |
binding | Cloth-bound, Cloth-bound & ePub, Cloth-bound & Kindle, ePub, Kindle (.mobi), Paperback, Paperback & ePub, Paperback & Kindle |
format | Book |
page-count | 275 |
isbn | 9781848716780 |
Clothbound ISBN | 9781848716780 |
Paperback ISBN | 9781848716797 |
Banner Pub Date | May 3, 2016 |
Endorsements
‘That man of granite with the heart of a child.’ — F. J. CHAVASSE
‘Ryle was at heart an evangelist.’ — MARCUS LOANE
‘Famous, outstanding and beloved exponent of the evangelical and reformed faith.’ — D. M. LLOYD-JONES
‘A single-minded Christian communicator of profound biblical, theological and pastoral wisdom, a man and minister of giant personal stature and electric force (‘unction’ was the old name for it).’ — J. I. PACKER
‘Bold as a lion for the truth of God’s Word and his Gospel.’ — RICHARD HOBSON
Book Description
The life of J. C. Ryle has only to be heard once to be remembered. His 84 years (1816–1900) included remarkable contrasts—the promise of a fortune, then the poverty of a bankrupt; a Suffolk country pastor, then bishop of the leading seaport of the British Empire. But there was a still greater change—from the successful youth at Eton and Oxford, who did not pray or read his Bible till he was 21, to become a Christian ‘bold as a lion for the truth of God’s Word and his Gospel’.
Although one of the most widely read evangelical authors of the nineteenth century, Ryle’s writings lost influence after his death. The world had moved on, as was supposed. Then, fifty years later a ‘rediscovery’ began. Research on his life was accomplished by able authors, and from a new wealth of material Iain Murray has put together a compelling biography. Ryle believed in definite doctrine, in a message which does not adjust to the times, in revival, and in the living Christ. He knew that all the great turning points of church history have been attended with controversy, and that ‘there are times when controversy is not only a duty but a benefit’.
J. C. Ryle’s life is convincing evidence that Christianity stands or falls depending on its relation to the word of God and to the Holy Spirit. That he is being read widely again at the present time gives hope of better days.
Table of Contents Expand ↓
Illustrations | ix | |
Introduction | xi | |
1 | Schooldays | 1 |
2 | ‘The Greatest Change and Event in My Life’ | 13 |
3 | Church and Homes Divided | 25 |
4 | All Doors Shut Except One | 41 |
5 | Peace Disturbed in Hampshire | 53 |
6 | Rural Suffolk: Stepping-Stone to the World | 69 |
7 | Puritans at Helmingham Rectory | 91 |
8 | Stradbroke: Twenty Fruitful Years | 107 |
9 | The Teacher | 131 |
10 | Liverpool | 155 |
11 | Standing Firm under Darkening Skies | 177 |
12 | The Last Years | 197 |
13 | What Does Ryle Say for Today? | 215 |
Appendix 1 Extracts from Ryle | 237 | |
Appendix 2 Herbert E Ryle | 249 | |
Index | 261 |
REVIEW
- Review by Ben Rogers
- Podcast from Reformed Forum with Iain H. Murray
- Review by Nate Pickowicz from 9Marks
- Review by Tim Challies
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Wally Leitel –
My order is in for this bio of J. C.Ryle by one of the best ever biographers, Iain Murray. I write briefly here now on Ryle the great preacher and to all that I have read of his via Banner of Truth…Ryle’s 7 volumes on the 4 gospels I read through and am into frequently, then many years ago Martyn Lloyd-Jones, having written me to read Ryle and all I could get my hands on by him and Spurgeon, I am so pleased I did…Ryle’s Practical Religion, Old Paths and Holiness, The Upper Room are all equally powerful writings and food for the very mind, heart & soul. Read Ryle. How happy I am after a new believer 50 years ago that providentially I was led to this so easy to read man, yet profound truths flowed from his pen and as easy to read as Lloyd-Jones himself.
Troy –
I first met Ryle as a young Christian teen. I came across by Providence his classic Holiness and was immediately transformed. I have read and reread his Thoughts for Young Men several times. Ryle has the great gift of writing on deep doctrine that even the simplest Christian can understand and remember. I thank God for this man and of similar men eg. Spurgeon his contemporary.
Tom Radford –
Having spent most of my life in the company of this great man, I am thrilled that we have a new biography. Like Marcus Loane (‘From Strength to Strenth’ – A. M. Blanch, ps.36-7) I was arrested by the ‘Expository Thoughts’ in my late teens. I found these volumes compelling in a life-changing way. ‘Practical Religion’ and ‘Holiness’ are among those few books for which we must sell our shirts. Ryle leads us to love church history and to draw from the wisdom of the Puritans.
Chad –
After reading ‘Holiness’ a couple of years ago, I was impressed at how practical and convicting it was to read. Therefore, it was this biography I asked my wife for this past Christmas and am thoroughly glad I did as I walk away from reading it even more impressed with how faithful Bishop Ryle was to our Lord Jesus Christ. How tough it is to take a stand for truth when everybody else around you compromises, but I’m certainly glad he did and his witness for Christ will continue to magnify until His coming. Thank you Banner of Truth for your faithfulness as well. God bless.
Vaclav –
A really helpful biography about JC Ryle. I always enjoyed his writings, but now I’m even more interested to read his books. JC is faithful to the Scriptures and the reformation truth and so readable. It’s so good to get to know the person behind his teaching. And Iain Murray is one of my favorite biographers. Thank you!