Getting Real with J.C. Ryle’s Practical Religion

I’ve started a new book called “Practical Religion” by J.C. Ryle.  This book was written during the 19th century when Christianity in England was flourishing.  According to Ryle:

We live in an age of peculiar spiritual privileges.  Since the world began there never was such an opportunity for a man’s soul to be saved as there is in England at this time.  There never were so many signs of religion in the land, so many sermons preached, so many services held in churches and chapels, so many Bibles sold, so many religious books and tracts printed, so many Societies for evangelizing mankind supported, so many outward respect paid to Christianity.

It was exactly for this reason that his concern for the people during that time period was one for peculiar spiritual danger.  His description of the 19th-century Evangelical status is very much like it has been today.  We are experiencing quite a resurgence in Evangelicalism.  One data point would be the increase in young people attracted to richer theology as displayed by CT’s article regarding young Calvinists.  We are in an age where the ubiquitous Internet media has not only made great contributions towards the spread of Christian material but also making information on Christian history, theology, doctrines, original languages, etc. (whatever Google can cover) highly accessible.  Yet the very reason for Ryle’s alarm in the 19th century holds true for us in the 21st century.  Is our faith in Christ genuine?  As the title suggests the main thrust of the book is to experience what real practical Christianity looks like.  In the opening chapters, Ryle attempts to expose and equip the reader and ensure that they know the God whom they claim to follow.

Chapter 1 talks about the practice of self-inquiry.  “Familiarity breeds contempt.”  That seems to be the essence of Ryle’s opening chapter.  He asks the reader then very pointed questions regarding the state of one’s Christianity.  Of the ten, number three is worth mentioning when he asks “Are we trying to satisfy our consciences with a mere formal religion?”  That is to say, are we living a kind of Christianity that seeks to be outward only?  Is there any real heart in our religion?

He diagnoses the human condition as one that is “trying to make up for the want of inward Christianity by an excessive quantity of outward form.  And this formal religion does them no real good.  They are not satisfied.”

In other words immersing yourself with Martha-like Christian activity does not equate to true satisfaction in the person of Christ.  There’ s a danger of loving the work rather than loving the one you work for.  He says, “If you love life, do not be content with the husk, and shell, and scaffolding of religion.”  I like that.  There is more to just the work of our Christianity it is the love of the Person who granted us eternal life.  Our affections should be driven for Him.

In Chapter 2 he asks if we are practicing self-exertion.  He evangelistically speaks to the unbeliever that “narrow is the gate” that leads to eternal life.  He expounds Luke 13:24 and explaining the exclusive claims of Christ and imploring the reader to repent and follow.  He exhorts the believer regarding the command to “strive.”  That is are we striving to follow hard after God?  He warns his readers of slothfulness towards the things of God.  He makes a pointed statement “I repeat it, you have only to do nothing, and you will be lost.”

In Chapter 3 he asks if our religion is real.  He poses three questions that seek to help the reader determine if their faith is real.  While I appreciate such tests they must be carefully read.  By and large it would be dangerous to ever evaluate one’s Christianity by a singular question.  This is why I appreciate Ryle’s examination through several questions when taken as a whole may prove helpful.

In the coming weeks I’ll continue to post summaries of the chapters from this excellent book.