Truth Spoken in Love

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1. 

   Marc Daniel Rivera (KristiyaKnow) – November 13, 2025

   Truth Spoken in Love: An Anthology of Quotations from J. C. Ryle is easily one of my favorite book releases this year. As an avid reader of Bishop J. C. Ryle’s writings, this feels like a dream come true—and a real home run. Daniel W. McManigal has done something truly special here: he has taken the heart and fire of Ryle’s ministry and gathered it into one handsome, cloth-bound Banner of Truth volume.

   Ryle (1816–1900), the first Bishop of Liverpool, has long been admired for his plain yet powerful style. His words are as direct as they are compassionate—always aiming at both the conscience and the heart. McManigal’s collection captures that essence perfectly. The book’s title, Truth Spoken in Love, summarizes Ryle’s ministry better than any biographer could. He was fearless in declaring the “terrible truth about ourselves,” yet relentless in pointing sinners to Jesus. His pen had conviction, but also tenderness. Reading his words today feels like being pastored across the centuries.

   This anthology of quotes is arranged alphabetically by topic, covering a remarkably wide range of subjects—from “Adam” and “Adoption” to “Zeal.” Each entry brings together short, potent selections drawn from Ryle’s major works, sermons, and tracts. Within a few pages, you move from theological precision to practical exhortation, from doctrinal depth to heartfelt appeal.

   The breadth of topics is noteworthy. Under “Bible,” for example, readers encounter Ryle’s passionate defense of Scripture’s power, sufficiency, and divine inspiration. His words on “Conversion,” “Assurance,” and “Justification” breathe gospel urgency and clarity. There are practical sections on “Prayer,” “Discipline,” and “Church Membership,” as well as historical reflections on figures like “Latimer,” “Baxter,” and “Whitefield.” Even topics such as “Politics,” “Wealth,” and “Youth” are treated with Ryle’s characteristic balance—full of discernment, courage, and love for truth.

   For anyone who has ever wished for a quick way to revisit Ryle’s insights or quote him in teaching and preaching, this book is a treasure chest. The alphabetical organization makes it easy to navigate, while the inclusion of a detailed bibliography allows readers to trace each quotation back to its source. McManigal’s careful work makes this not just a devotional aid, but also a valuable reference tool for pastors, teachers, and students of Scripture.

   One of the anthology’s great strengths is how it showcases Ryle’s writing style. His prose has been described as brisk, blunt, and wonderfully clear—full of short, sharp sentences that pierce through spiritual fog. That same quality shines throughout the book. Every page carries his conviction that theology should never stay in the study; it must reach the pew and stir the heart. Ryle never wasted a word, and this compilation preserves that economy beautifully.

   Beyond its content, the presentation of the book deserves praise. Banner of Truth’s cloth-bound edition carries the classic design and durability the publisher is known for. It’s a book that feels made to last—fitting, given the timeless nature of Ryle’s wisdom. It would make an ideal companion beside a Bible, commentary set, or study desk.

   While I love this volume, it’s worth noting that it’s not exhaustive. Some themes that Ryle often wrote about—particularly life and eternity—are surprisingly absent as standalone entries. Given how often Ryle urged readers to live in light of eternity, their absence is felt. Still, this is a minor quibble. What Truth Spoken in Love offers is not everything Ryle ever wrote, but a faithful and generous sampling that represents him well.

   Final thoughts:

   Overall, Daniel W. McManigal has succeeded in what Ryle himself would have wanted most: to help readers see more of Jesus. That alone makes this volume worth reading, quoting, and returning to often. Truth Spoken in Love is a reminder that biblical truth, when spoken in love, never goes out of style.

   For readers already familiar with Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospels or Holiness, this anthology feels like meeting an old friend in a new setting. For newcomers, it’s a perfect doorway into the pastoral warmth and biblical clarity that have made Ryle a beloved voice for over a century.