Holiness

Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots

Author
Category

Weight 1.46 lbs
Dimensions 8.75 × 5.6 × 1.25 in
ISBN 9781848715066
Binding

Cloth-bound, eBook (ePub & Kindle), Cloth-bound & eBook (ePub & Kindle)

topic

Life Issues, Salvation, Sanctification, Spiritual Growth

Original Pub Date

1877

Banner Pub Date

Dec 12, 2014

page-count

480

format

Book

Endorsements

‘A book I think every Christian should read. It is so readable, so accessible, a very simple style of presentation, but absolutely forceful, and discerning. Every time I read it the Lord uses it to press upon me the importance and the possibility of holiness. It’s one of those books that makes you feel convicted but also inspired.’ — KEVIN DEYOUNG

‘…this book is simply the best of Ryle the Puritan-type pastor. Real Christians will find it a gold mine, a feast, a spur and a heart-warmer, food, drink, medicine, and a course of vitamins, all in one.’ — J. I. PACKER

Book Description

Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots is perhaps J. C. Ryle’s best-known and, arguably, best-loved book. Although many things have changed since 1877, when this book was first published, one thing remains the same: ‘real practical holiness does not receive the attention it deserves.’ It was to remedy this attention deficit, and to counter false teaching on this most important subject, that Ryle took up his pen.

The twenty-one chapters in this enlarged edition highlight:

  • The real nature of holiness
  • The temptations and difficulties which all must expect who pursue it
  • The life-transforming truth that union with Christ is the root of holiness
  • The immense encouragement Jesus Christ holds out to all who strive to be holy.

Holiness, as with all of Ryle’s works, is clear and concise, penetrating and practical.

Mark Jones on Holiness

Banner Trustees on J. C. Ryle

Book Reviews

Table of Contents Expand ↓

Author’s Preface vii
Introduction xi
1 Sin 1
2 Sanctification 21
3 Holiness 47
4 The Fight 71
5 The Cost 93
6 Growth 113
7 ‘Assurance’ 135
8 Moses—An Example 181
9 Lot—A Beacon 201
10 A Woman to be Remembered 219
11 Christ’s Greatest Trophy 243
12 The Ruler of the Waves 261
13 The Church which Christ Builds 287
14 Visible Churches Warned 305
15 ‘Lovest Thou Me?’ 321
16 Without Christ 339
17 Thirst Relieved 351
18 ‘Unsearchable Riches’ 375
19 Wants of the Times 391
20 ‘Christ Is All’ 415
21 Extracts from Old Writers 439

Testimonials

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  1. Ben Hogan

    It is hard to put into words the weight, value, and necessity of this book to your soul. Ryle will make a profound impact on your life (as he did mine) because he wrote as if he were standing right in front of you squeezing your shoulders in the hopes of helping you see the vital importance of understanding the exceeding sinfulness of sin as well as the humbling line of Scripture that tells us that without holiness no one will see the Lord.

    He never falters in explaining how holiness is effected by the sanctifying power of the holy spirit after His regenerating work and even goes so far as to explain the difference between justification and sanctification in the life of a believer, a critical distinction.

    I can only wonder at what the visible church would look like today if more pastors and preachers of God’s Word took their job as seriously as Ryle did and spoke as poignantly as he did. He has left his mark on my heart and it is the mark of the pruning work of Scripture of which I am deeply thankful.

    Every Christian needs to read this book, or if nothing else, at least the first two chapters on Sin and Holiness, though every page is rife with profound insight and deep, biblical wisdom.

  2. Richard Bush

    Ryle’s book is timely even today. He writes for everyone. Early in the book he states, “In a word, where there is no sanctification there is no regeneration, and where there is no holy life there is no new birth.” He is very direct and challenges the reader to follow Christ as a true believer. He writes with a pastor’s heart but wants the reader to truly look at their lives to confirm that they truly know Christ.
    I recommend this book to everyone who wants to learn more about living a life that is to dedicated Christ.

  3. Iain Mackenzie

    One of the first two books I read as a Christian. It is a classic in every sense of the word. A must read for any seriously minded Christian. Holiness is not an optional extra for the Christian it is an necessity. Not difficult to read but not easy to put into practise on a daily basis.

  4. Robert Norman

    No better book on Holiness has ever been written after Scripture. I doubt anybody will ever top this jewel until eternity either.
    This book is Nr. 3 in my favorite books.

  5. Jean-Marc Alter

    Ryle writes as a pastor a friend and a follower of Christ. Each chapter is easy to read yet full of godly wisdom. Ryle writes as if he is standing next to you speaking gently, yet firmly to.you. The scriptures open up and you are filled. Holiness is a classic- a top ten christian book. I have it both in paperback and audio. I read (listen to) it once a year.

  6. David Bess

    This book was my first one by J.C. Ryle. Holiness is his forte, so I wanted to benefit from his insights. This work is long and is not an easy read. He does provide excellent commentary on Christian holiness and the obstacles believers encounter on obtaining it. Now that I’ve read it through from cover to cover, I’d recommend it more as a reference book rather than a book to read in its entirety. I gave it four stars rather than five primarily due to its length (he could have said what he said with far fewer words). Because it’s rather dated, it’s also hard to read. A modern translation of it would be very helpful. Still, I recommend it, but more as a reference than a “read-through” book.

  7. Bonnie

    I want to do a book like this justice, but frankly it’s impossible for me to do so, because I’m just not that skilled.

    So I’ll just say, if I had one book…

    One.

    As a Christian.

    That I thought you should read….

    It would be this one.

    This is *the best* book I’ve ever read in my life. Every page is covered in highlights and notes. It took me half a year to read this…why?

    Because it was changing me.

    I couldn’t rush through it. It was too important. I could feel it settling into the base of my heart and seeping into the corners of my mind. Making me think and question and pray. I’ve been convicted and encouraged and I’ve truly learned. What else can I ask for in a book?

    If I had a million dollars, I’d buy everyone a copy for Christmas. If I could make it required reading I would. What can I say to impress upon you that you need this one? Whatever it is, I’ll say it.

    I think reading this book will change your life.

    Give it a try.

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+❤️

  8. Jacob Roy

    Other than Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ ‘Studies in the Sermon on the Mount’, I consider this to be the greatest Christian book I have read. In these pages the Christian life is defined. Ryle is one of the clearest and easiest writers to read of centuries past, and here, more than anywhere else, he exposes those toxic trends in modern Christianity that deceive and blind many. After reading this, you will know plainly whether you are on narrow path or the broad path. Unexpectedly, this book did more to bolster my assurance than almost any other I have read.

  9. Jonathan Nesper

    This book has blessed many discipleship groups in our church. Ryle brings the realities of the implications of the gospel right up to your face. No one can escape what he brings up to the surface. It is incredibly digestible, not too “heady.” Its relevance speaks so clearly to the times we live in that it is surprising that it was written in the 1860s.

  10. Michael Ralph

    There just don’t seem to be books like this one being written anymore. This book is priceless. If it cost its weight in gold, it would be worth every penny. A verse has seemed to pound in my head as I’ve read it: “The hour has come for you to wake from sleep.” (Romans 13:11). Ryle’s writing is crisp, and urgent, and straight to the point, and it is richly and thoroughly biblical. This is no dusty tome of theoretical theology. It is a tonic for weary pilgrims. Ryle is the best sort of pastor, rousing you from sleep, cutting straight to the heart of the matter, bidding you to follow him as he follows Christ, to cast off every weight and run with endurance. It has stirred such a desire in me for holiness. It has made me love the Lord Jesus more. It has made me desire the Kingdom of God more. I think I will find myself turning back to it again and again.

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