New Release Books by J C Ryle

Practical Religion, by J. C. Ryle (1816-1900), was first published in 1878 and is renowned as a theological and apologetic Christian "classic"--esteemed for its clear, profound and penetrating narrative on the practice of genuine Christian living. Within its pages, Ryle masterfully unfolds practical biblical truths in a series of treatises, or "papers" as he calls them, each written to address a critical aspect of where personal faith in Christ and the practice of that faith in holy living unite and are essential for Christian growth and effectiveness as a witness for Christ in the world. Ryle exposes hypocrisy and nominalism in religion, or "Churchianity" as he calls it, which was as systemic in his day as it is today. His poignant narrative appeals to the Church as well as to individuals who profess to be Christians--a call to self-examination in all things, and a return to sound Biblical truths seriously and practically applied in every aspect of Christian life. Some of the subjects addressed include: Self-Inquiry, Reality, Prayer, Bible Reading, Zeal, Formality, The World, Sickness, Riches and Poverty, Eternity, among others. Ryle''s unique style penetrates the heart and challenges the mind of its readers and is not for the faint of heart--but is designed for those who genuinely and humbly seek a deeper abiding, surrendered life in Christ. No wonder his equally renowned contemporary English minister, Charles Spurgeon, called him "an evangelical champion. One of the bravest and best of men." J. C. (John Charles) Ryle was the first Bishop of Liverpool, and one of the most influential evangelical ministers and writers of the nineteenth century. Ryle quotes from Practical Religion: "Real" religion is not mere show, and pretense, and skin-deep feeling, and temporary profession, and outside work. It is something inward, solid, substantial, intrinsic, living, lasting. A lack of reality is a striking feature of a vast amount of religion in the present day. The subject is of deep importance in every age. There has never been a time, since the Church of Christ was founded, when there has not been a vast amount of unreality and mere nominal religion among professing Christians. I am sure it is the case in the present day - It is not the Christianity of Peter, and James, and John, and Paul. It is Churchianity - and nothing more!

Thoughts for Young Men was originally published in 1888 as a chapter in The Upper Room, and it has become a minor spiritual classic in its own right. It has few equals among the all-too-short list of solid Christian books for young men. Ryle''s insights were derived from more than four decades of pastoral experience, three decades of parenting, and his own experiences as a young man. Ryle always had a heart for young men. He regularly addressed groups like the Young Men''s Christian Association (YMCA) and the Church of England''s Young Men''s Society. By all accounts J.C. Ryle was a "man''s man," and his Thoughts for Young Men have proven to be both valuable and timeless. This new edition is designed for devotional reading, small group studies, and one-to-one discipleship. The text has been divided into short readings based on Ryle''s own subheadings and lightly edited to make it more accessible to modern readers. It also includes: - Scripture quotations and memory verses from the ESV - Information boxes and chapter summaries - Reflection questions and suggestions for further reading - A discussion guide for group leaders We''ve also included Daniel the Prophet, a biographical lecture Ryle delivered to a group of young men at the Liverpool YMCA in 1889, which hasn''t been published since that time. This work summarizes and illustrates many of the main points Ryle makes in Thoughts for Young Men.

Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." I suppose that most professing Christians are acquainted with the text at the head of this page. The sound of it is probably familiar to your ears, like an old tune. It is likely you have heard it, or read it, talked of it, or quoted it, many a time. Is it not so But, after all, how little is the substance of this text regarded! The doctrine it contains appears scarcely known, the duty it puts before us seems fearfully seldom practiced. Reader, do I not speak the truth? It cannot be said that the subject is a new one. The world is old, and we have the experience of nearly six thousand years to help us. We live in days when there is a mighty zeal for education in every quarter. We hear of new schools rising on all sides. We are told of new systems, and new books for the young, of every sort and description. And still, for all this, the vast majority of children are manifestly not trained in the way they should go, for when they grow up to man''s estate, they do not walk with God. Now how shall we account for this state of things The plain truth is, the Lord''s commandment in our text is not regarded, and therefore the Lord''s promise in our text is not fulfilled. Come now, and let me place before you a few hints about the right training. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost bless them and make them words in season to you all. Reject them not because they are blunt and simple; despise them not because they contain nothing new. Be very sure, if you would train children for heaven, they are hints that ought not to be lightly set aside.

Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." I suppose that most professing Christians are acquainted with the text at the head of this page. The sound of it is probably familiar to your ears, like an old tune. It is likely you have heard it, or read it, talked of it, or quoted it, many a time. Is it not so But, after all, how little is the substance of this text regarded! The doctrine it contains appears scarcely known, the duty it puts before us seems fear-fully seldom practised. Reader, do I not speak the truth? It cannot be said that the subject is a new one. The world is old, and we have the experience of nearly six thousand years to help us. We live in days when there is a mighty zeal for education in every quarter. We hear of new schools rising on all sides. We are told of new systems, and new books for the young, of every sort and description. And still for all this, the vast majority of children are manifestly not trained in the way they should go, for when they grow up to man''s estate, they do not walk with God. Now how shall we account for this state of things The plain truth is, the Lord''s commandment in our text is not regarded; and therefore the Lord''s promise in our text is not fulfilled.Come now, and let me place before you a few hints about right training. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost bless them, and make them words in season to you all. Reject them not because they are blunt and simple; despise them not because they contain nothing new. Be very sure, if you would train children for heaven, they are hints that ought not to be lightly set aside.