Holiness

THIS REVIEW IS SPECIFIC TO THE PUBLISHER, NOT JC RYLE'S WORK. The production of "Holiness" by First Rate Publishers is entirely inadequate and inappropriate. I purchased this book for a book study and had my friend's alternate publication to compare my copy to. Below are specific issues related to this publication:1) No table of contents2) No page numbers3) Missing quotations and footnotes from Ryle, as well as those persons he quotes4) The chapter titles are only slightly distinguished from other text by slightly increased size and a grey color instead of black5) All text is left-justified, including the chapter titles6) The structure of the writing is not in standard paragraph form, but chopped up in a way that is not coherent (a "Note from the Publisher" may have provided some understanding)7) A picture on the first page is not even JC Ryle (though not as important as the previous concerns, is indicative of the publisher's decisions)I highly recommend JC Ryle's work, but not from this publisher. When searching for a different copy, search for this copy, which solves all the concerns listed above:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FIYH4JM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I can't speak highly enough of this book. I kept hearing different pastors that I respect mention this book, so I decided to see what it was all about. After each chapter I read, I think "If this book only consisted of this chapter, it'd be well worth the price." The chapters on Sanctification, Holiness, and Warfare are worth their weight in gold, and I've already gone back many times to reference different sections of it.Many Christians love dwelling on justification, on the wrath-absorbing nature of Christ's death, and that we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2). As wonderful as these truths are, they are not the whole Gospel! Christ did not only secure our justification, but also our sanctification. Unfortunately, we tend to associate teachings on sanctification with legalism. R.C. Ryle helps us immensely to distinguish between the two, and to put the proper, biblical weight on the necessity of holiness in the life a the believer. Grab this book! Grab many copies of this book and give them away!

2021 Reads: 01/52Rating: 5/5Book: Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and RootsAuthor: J.C. RyleHoliness is a collection of 20 timeless papers written in 1879, together with an excellent introduction and a concluding chapter with extracts from older writers.Doctor Martyn Lloyd-Jones described the book with these words: "Ryle, like his great masters [the Puritans], has no easy way to holiness to offer us, and no ‘patent’ method by which it can be obtained; but he invariably produces that ‘hunger and thirst after righteousness’ which is the only indispensable condition to being ‘filled.’"I couldn't have said it any better. It is theologically sound but extremely engaging. Ryle draws from a deep well of theology. He often uses similes, metaphors and other word pictures draw from historical events and people in Scripture which not only drive his point home but remind us of the profundity of God's Holy Word. His poetic writing style is so captivating that it makes makes it very difficult to take a break––one gets caught up in a series after series type binge.His first seven chapter address the theological foundation for Holiness. He begins with the depravity of man which is the foundation for understanding holiness. Ryle states, “..the first step towards attaining a higher standard of holiness is to realize more fully the amazing sinfulness of sin.” Next he addresses holiness doctrinally and then practically, emphasising man's responsibility to fight, mortify, sacrifice, and press on. Ryle addresses both Christians and Non-Christians and discusses the centrality of one's relationship with Jesus in one's growth in holiness. He often invites and calls the unregenerate to come to Christ.This is a book everyone should read. Every Christian in every age has struggled in his or her pursuit of holiness. Ryle's book is a gift to the church and an immense means of grace in one's progressive sanctification and joy in Christ.

Holiness is my absolute FAVORITE book (next to the Bible). I highlighted in the original copy I had (several years ago), so when I was ready to re-read it, I wanted a new one. I chose this because it was almost half the price as the Banner of Truth's, but I regretted it. The typesetting is small and not as attractive, there was also a weird typo within the introduction. I'm admittedly picky when it comes to books, especially treasured ones such as Holiness (which I believe EVERY Christian should read by the way), but I recommend forking over the extra money for the Banner of Truth's publication of it. It's well worth it!

If there was one book any Christian could have, in addition to the Bible obvs, various candidates would be advanced. Historically, it would have been, in English speaking countries anyway, John Bunyan's "Pilgrims Progress". Other books might spring to mind. For me, JC Ryle's "Holiness" would be a strong challenger. Ryle was the (Victorian era) first ever Bishop of Liverpool and so in places the books are a little dated. Not many of us have to wrestle with issues around servants, for example! One or two other Victorian shibboleths like temperance also feature occasionally. The picture of Ryle looks just like a Victorian prophet but surely in 2015 he is hardly relevant to a world of Google and I-Pads? Just why is it that his books and especially his master work "Holiness" are so gripping? His books are certainly very distinctive in style. They have short sentences. They never pull punches. They are personal. They are powerful, challenging, meaty, rich in content and especially very strong on practical application. Many evangelical sermons and books we have today tend to be first rate in their theology but can on occasion fall short in their application of that theology to the everyday life of the reader. Not Ryle. Application is tough because its really the preacher or reader coming down out of the pulpit and saying to the man or women who is hearing the sermon or reading the book "Now, listen, this is what I suggest you should do differently". Its the "so what?" question. In business for example, people can give you vast amounts of data but without conclusions, application, things we should do differently, its all very interesting but without application its academically interesting only. The same in Christian teaching.So what sparked Ryle to write "Holiness"? In his day, the Keswick Movement was going strong. Keswick (its an annual Christian conference in the town of Keswick in the English Lake District) as an event today is excellent, but the C19th theology coming out of Keswick was dangerous. Its watchword was "let go and let God". Like all heresies, there is much of truth in this. We can do nothing by ourselves, we don't earn our way to God, faith is his free gift. But as Ryle points out "is it wise to think of faith as the one thing needful...that the holiness of (Christians)...is by faith only and not at all by personal exertion?"("No" is the answer, in case you were wondering). This deviation comes from a confusion between two core theological concepts - faith and sanctification. In guarding jealously and rightly the "faith alone" of the Reformers it is very easy to swerve as it were from one side of the road to the other - avoid the crash barrier and drive into the tree - by failing to distinguish between faith ( a perfect, one time event in which we have no active role) and sanctification (an imperfect, continuous event in which we emphatically do have a role.) We seem to have thrown out the baby of sanctification with the bathwater of legalism. This is a common thought of people of other faiths. They think that the Christian view is something like "I am saved so I can do what I wish." As Voltaire said "God will forgive, that's his business". This book is the perfect antidote to that fatal error.Ryle points out how much the bible has to say about being holy - or maybe better put the Christian is commanded in many places to become like the Lord Jesus. When our friends and family who are not Christians point out the many things in our life which are wrong - hypocrisy basically because we say one thing and do something else - then the answer is to admit our faults and become holy. As Ryle points out - "Be holy for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:15) and "Without holiness no one can see the Lord". Holiness is important, argue Ryle, also because its the way we do good to others. The description "do gooder" very sadly has a negative connotation in English but its a biblical injunction. Ryle says "It makes (the Christian faith) beautiful and draws men to consider it, like a lighthouse seen afar off". If we dont have that gravitational pull, if we dont see people coming to the "lighthouse" then it may well be because we dont have the "light" - the holiness.Ryle then moves on to answer the next question, again a rather obvious one "If we need holiness, how do we get it"?. What are the practical means available? He also sprinkles the book with warnings to the Christian. Lot's wife, for example, whom as you may or may not recall was very reluctant to leave Sodom when it was being destroyed by God. She was being pulled out by the angels but lingered and as she fled was turned into a pillar of salt.She wanted to escape the coming judgement but she felt the powerful gravitational pull of this life and money and possessions and the cares of this world. As Ryle points out, she is a solemn warning to all Christians of the danger of "wanting to have our cake and eat it too". Or as Ryle says "They (people like Lot's wife) are neither one thing or another: not quite a thorough going Christian and not quite men of the world". But Ryle doesn't leave us there - he brings us to a much more encouraging example - the thief on the cross.So in summary, if you feel comfortable and relaxed in your faith, if you feel all is good with your Christian life, if you feel you are really a very decent sort of chap or chapess, then dont read Ryle. for he will shake you awake, pour cold water on you, slap you round the face and generally prod you into life. Let me give the man himself the last word. This is typical of Ryle "Believers in the Lord Jesus of every church...I feel much for you. I know your course is hard. I know it is a sore battle you have to fight. I know you are often tempted to say "It is of no use" and to lay down your arms altogether. Cheer up, dear brothers and sister. take comfort, I entreat you...Be encouraged to fight on. the time is short. the Lord is at hand. The night is far spent. Millions as weak as you have fought the same fight. Not one of all these millions has finally been led captive by Satan. Mighty are your enemies - but the Captain of your salvation is mightier still...Cheer up. Be not cast down. What though if you lose a battle or two? You shall not be cast down. You shall not be destroyed. Watch against sin and sin shall not have dominion against you. Resist the devil and he shall flee from you...You shall find yourselves in the end more than conquerors - you shall overcome."So for advice on how to "overcome", read Ryle

This review of mine is NOT BASED on the content of this book (which is reputedly and deservedly the second best book in the world- not my words), but is based on the printing purchased and supplied.This is one of those electronically scanned and printed books to order thingermyjiggers.This particular scanning has been reduced from 350 pages to 220 pages, and the print reduced from a well formatted 12 point font, to a poorly formatted (UNFORMATTED) 8 point font. A consequence of this no doubt reduces costs, but the biggest issue of NOT BOTHERING TO FORMAT THE PRINTING means that there are dozens of pages with only 3 lines on them. This makes the savings a nonsense, and also reduces the book to being largely unreadable, and not an easy read! It is insulting to the very name of the awsome Bishop Ryle.I wish the religious foundation who printed this book all of the very best, in the name of Jesus Christ- but they are in need of some training.

A real classic. I can confidently say this is the best book available today on the subject of personal holiness. What it means, why it's important and, most importantly, how to achieve greater holiness in your life. Running through the book is a deep love of Christ, a recognition that we will never reach perfection in this life and that is why we need a saviour. This is balanced beautifully and compassionately with God's command to "Be holy". A copy of this book should be in every serious Christians library. Well written, deeply interesting, encouraging and a sheer joy to read. Highly recommended.

Although written by a 19th Century C of E bishop, this book contains scriptural Christian teaching that's conveniently overlooked by many of our present Catholic, Protestant and charismatic wishy-washy churches. Explains sanctification and holiness and not just justification through faith which seems to be the creed of so many modern churches. If you're looking for a challenging and inspirational Christian book, this is it. Do buy it. You won't be disappointed.

Im from Liverpool (where Mr Ryle was a bishop for some time) and I'm surprised to find out that such a powerful and insightful book could have been written here!this is a very thorough and dedicated book to the christian call for holiness. clearly J.C.Ryle was dealing with some contemporary issues that were minimising the importance for holiness and therefore, in part, the book is a product of the times. except for the fact that its seems to me to be massively relevant to todays christians as well. This book helped me understand the relationship between my Justification (by faith in Gods grace alone) and my sanctification (the process in which God makes me more like Jesus) i had certainly been unsure of how to grow in holiness and was very frustrated in the lack of fruit in my own life. "Holiness" then, was like a breath of kind, reassuring but honest, air (the best kind of air) and literally lifted the sails of my love for the Lord. helping me to seek and fight for holiness in my life, all for Gods glory.On a practical note, its pretty easy to read, similar to a C.S.lewis book (think mere christianity though, not Narnia!) its also full of little gems that are worth underlining and using in essays, sermons, general conversation when you feel the need to encourage holiness in yourself and others.