I am on a semi-blogging break in order to study a few major topics before leaving for SEBTS again in the fall and to spend more time with Bekah before our wedding. But, I wanted to share this with you:
I say, then, in the first place, that a scriptural view of sin is one of the best antidotes to that vague, dim, misty, hazy kind of theology which is so painfully current in the present age. It is vain to shut our eyes to the fact that there is a vast quantity of so-called Christianity nowadays which you cannot declare positively unsound, but which, nevertheless, is not full measure, good weight, and sixteen ounces to the pound. It is a Christianity in which there is undeniably “something about Christ, and something about grace, and something about faith, and something about repentance, and something about holiness”; but it is not the real “thing as it is” in the Bible. Things are out of place, and out of proportion. As old Latimer would have said, it is a kind of “mingle-mangle,” and does no good. It neither exercises influence on daily conduct, nor comforts in life, nor gives peace in death; and those who hold it, often awake too late to find that they have got nothing solid under their feet.
Now I believe the likeliest way to cure and mend this defective kind of religion is to bring forward more prominently the old scriptural truth about sin. People will never set their faces decidedly towards heaven, and live like pilgrims, until they really feel that they are in danger of hell. Let us all try to revive the old teaching about sin, in nurseries, in schools, in training colleges, and universities. Let us not forget that “the law is good if we use it lawfully,” and that “by the law is the knowledge of sin” (1 Tim. 1:8; Rom. 3:20; 7:7). Let us bring the law to the front and press it on men’s attention. Let us expound and beat out the Ten Commandments, and show the length, and breadth, and depth, and height of their requirements. This is the way of our Lord in the Sermon on the Mount. We cannot do better than follow His plan. We may depend upon it, men will never come to Jesus, stay with Jesus, and live for Jesus, unless they really know why they are to come, and what is their need. Those whom the Spirit draws to Jesus are those whom the Spirit has convinced of sin. Without thorough conviction of sin, men may seem to come to Jesus and follow Him for a season, but they will soon fall away and return to the world.
- J.C. Ryle, 1879 (from Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots, 12)
I read this a couple of days ago. From what I can tell, his words are just as relevant today as they were in England 1879. What do you think?
That’s a pretty consistent feature of Ryle’s writing! He is definitely one of my favorites.
great quote, where’s McLaren?
Ryle’s book is still the “classic” on holiness in many ways. As a contemporary of both Spurgeon and Bonar, all great winners of souls, they provide a standard in the western world. Interesting to note they represent three Churches- Anglican, Baptist, and Scotch Presbyterian.
This particular post is very sobering considering the tendencies in our evangelism today. In fact I would almost say it is “prophetic’. Someone has said it a little more down to earth: “what you hook’m with is what you’re stuck with!” Thank you very much for posting it and calling our attention once again to the great preaching heritage of the past .
John Paul Todd
e4unity.wordpress.com
John Paul Todd, thanks for stopping by and adding that comment. I certainly agree that it is particularly relevant today, 130 years later.
John Charles Ryle…He certainly pulls no punches! Reading his little book(let) on The Call to Prayer was convicting! Enjoy your site.