Ryle on the Christian Life

Atherstone begins by reviewing the extensive range of popular tracts Ryle produced on a range of topics relevant to his day, many of which still speak into the lives of modern readers even though his illustrations are in danger of being dated.

The inerrancy and absolute authority of the Bible as the ground of all Ryle’s work is boldly asserted while he fully takes into account the need for on-going scholarly research to ensure both its literary integrity and need for accurate, faithful interpretation.

What I appreciated most in this book was how the author brings out Ryle’s inimitable candour by which he strips away the Victorian veneer of what has been called in our day ‘cultural Christianity’ – the idea one can be converted simply because baptised without any conversion experience evidenced by a changed life.

Another aspect of this work’s appeal is how the author draws out Ryle’s down-to-earth, almost common sense, truths he brings to the reader’s attention from what could easily have escaped the average reader’s attention given the more controversial topics he delves into. 

For example, chapter 10 on ‘Sorrow and affliction’, touches on the delicate balance between God’s sovereignty and the problem of evil. Many readers may have come across this quote which skilfully balances the two: ‘Everything from beginning to end is foreseen – arranged by One who is too wise to err, and too loving to do us harm… [Christians] are immortal till their work is done.’

The book ends appropriately with a survey of more of Ryle’s incisive, no-nonsense challenges to his readers as to their preparedness for death and eternity.

Grahame Wray 

Leeds