Light From Old Times
The nineteenth century was an age that witnessed great progress in many areas of exploration and learning. However, according to J.C. Ryle, it was an age of great ignorance too. ‘With all the stir made about education’, he wryly observed, ‘the ignorance of our own country’s history is something lamentable and appalling and depressing.’ What particularly distressed Ryle was the scant knowledge of the English Reformation evident amongst his contemporaries. In this lay a grave danger: one of the reasons so many congregations drift form their evangelical foundations is their sheer ignorance of Christian history, and their lack of understanding of the major doctrinal controversies and why they matter. Therefore he taught that one of the best ways to stop Christians wavering ‘with every changing wind of doctrine’ (Eph. 4:14) is to instill in them a deep love for Reformation and Puritan teaching, and a willingness to suffer for those gospel truths. The Bible often calls us to remember the past, Ryle explained, but the devil tries to make us forget. If the church is to be strengthened, then Christians must be persuaded to read the saints of the past and to learn the lessons of church history. Ryle’s abiding hope for Light From Old Times is that our souls will be stirred to prayer and action by the great testimonies of Reformers and Puritans found within its pages, and then that we will dig deeper into the writings of these spiritual giants.
Publisher: Banner of Truth
Type: Hardback
ISBN: 9781848716360
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J. C. Ryle (1816 - 1900) was the first Bishop of Liverpool. He was one of the most authoritative churchmen of his time and his writings have been in constant demand throughout the last hundred years. His popularity was due to his clear and simple style, his longevity due to his being a profound thinker and compassionate pastor.
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I am too early to write on this Ryle book for I am ordering it today; I do want to comment on Ryle though, to mention I read his book, “Holiness” as a new believer back in late 1960’s and it is one of the books that moved me quickly to finding anything else by him and all he puts down on paper is fine food for the mind & heart. I read through the commentaries on the gospels, Practical Religion, The Upper Room, Old Paths, Knots Untied, all I could find and often go back and like Lloyd-Jones or Iain Murray, Spurgeon also…I then lose out that day on other books, Ryle will keep you steadily reading, only to stop to think on such wise and good thoughts…or stop to pray. Years ago I was blessed to have some correspondence with MLJ, to mention his “Studies in Sermon the Mount” and how that changed my life, etc. A young saint back then I sought advice on things to read as his book and Ryle’s “Holiness, etc.” He then told me a story how he helped to get it reprinted years ago…the publisher needed his copy. Now, over 40 plus years passed and Ryle and MLJ get plenty of attention. Read anything by John C Ryle. Wally Leitel, Wi, U.S.A.