J.C. Ryle: Prepared to Stand Alone Paperback – May 10, 2016

I trust you know the rule when it comes to books by Iain Murray: If he writes it, you ought to read it. Murray has a long legacy of authoring books that look to the past to help us better understand the present. Through this work he has had an unexpected and far-reaching impact, and any serious account of today’s New Calvinism needs to tell of his influence. When Mark Dever wrote a series titled “Where’d All These Calvinists Come From?” his first three answers were Charles H. Spurgeon, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and The Banner of Truth Trust. Interestingly, all three of these involve Murray. He founded Banner of Truth Trust, he wrote the definitive biography of D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and he published Arnold Dallimore’s popular biography of Charles Spurgeon. Truly, he has had an outsized influence.Murray’s latest work is a biography of the great Anglican bishop J.C. Ryle and its release is timed to coincide with the two hundredth anniversary of its subjects birth on May 10, 1816. Considering Ryle’s legacy and influence there have been surprisingly few accounts of his life. I’m glad to see Murray remedy that.Born to a monied family of nominal Christians, Ryle was educated at the finest institutes and well on his way to a life of luxury and ease. Illness intervened in his life and drove him to the Bible which soon exposed to him the perilous state of his soul; meanwhile, disaster intervened in his family and left them bankrupt. With his prospects radically diminished, Ryle reluctantly looked to the church for a career and a living.Despite his hesitation, he soon found that he was a skilled teacher and counselor. He came to love both the ministry of preaching and the ministry to people. He began to read the Puritans and the Reformers, and this strengthened and deepened his theological convictions. He also soon developed the ministry that has far outlasted him—the ministry of writing. Over the course of his life he wrote articles, tracts, books, and commentaries and saw these distributed around the world. Many of them survive as classics today: Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (with one volume dedicated to each of the four gospels), Thoughts For Young Men, and, mostly importantly, Holiness.Having gained a national reputation, Ryle eventually became the first bishop of Liverpool and here he was often called to defend Evangelical beliefs against the encroachment of Catholicism and Liberalism. Well is this biography subtitled “Prepared to Stand Alone” for Ryle often found himself forced to take unpopular and solitary stands for the truth. This difficulty combined with the loss of two wives, the death of a child, and the growing apostasy of a son left him a man marked deeply by suffering.Murray provides an account of Ryle’s life and follows with three ways Ryle can speak into today’s Evangelicalism: through his understanding that man exists from God and to the glory of God, that the gospel only shines in contrast to the law, and that the great purpose of redemption is to praise God for his grace. All three of these were prominent themes in his life, his pastoring, his preaching, and his writing. Two appendices add value, the first by sharing powerful excerpts from Ryle’s writing and the second by providing a comparative account of the life of his son, Herbert, who was also a theologian, but one who got swept up in the spirit of the age. “To follow the thinking of Herbert Ryle is to be led not only into the extent of the difference between father and son but right into the great change then taking place among leaders of the churches.” It is for good reason that the father’s legacy has survived while his son’s has been forgotten.I have invariably been blessed by my forays into Ryle’s works. His Expository Thoughts on the Gospels never fail to provide succinct summaries of truth along with pointed application; his Holiness proved its place as a classic by inspiring a greater desire to be holy even as God himself is holy. Having read this biography, I find myself increasingly eager to discover his other treasures.Iain Murray has done us a great service in returning to our consciousness the life and legacy of this stalwart defender of the Christian faith. If ever we needed an example of a man who was prepared to stand alone—alone on biblical truth and principle—it is today. In that way, though he is dead, Ryle still speaks.

J.C. Ryle: Prepared to Stand Alone by Iain Murray is a riveting look at the life and legacy of John Charles Ryle, a towering figure in 19th-century evangelicalism. Published by Banner of Truth in 2016, this biography commemorates the 200th anniversary of Ryle's birth.John Charles Ryle's life was marked by dramatic contrasts. Born in 1816 into a wealthy family, his early years were characterized by affluence and academic success at Eton and Oxford. However, his life took a significant turn at the age of 21 when he embraced Christianity. This newfound faith led him on a path of devout service, eventually becoming the first Anglican bishop of Liverpool. Ryle's ministry and writings were distinguished by a steadfast commitment to evangelical doctrines, clear biblical teaching, and boldness in proclaiming the truth.Murray’s biography skillfully captures these transformations, illustrating how Ryle's experiences of personal trials deepened his reliance on God and shaped his pastoral and literary contributions. Despite facing numerous adversities, including the bankruptcy of his family and the loss of his first wife, Ryle emerged as a steadfast defender of evangelical truth, undeterred by the changing tides of theological liberalism and Catholic resurgence.As a person who has read many of Ryle’s work, I appreciate Murray’s emphasis on Ryle’s enduring literary legacy. Although his influence waned after his death in 1900, there was a renewed interest in his writings over the recent decades. Books such as "Holiness," "Practical Religion," and "Expository Thoughts on the Gospels" have once again found a broad readership, resonating with modern Christians for their clarity, doctrinal depth, and practical application. Ryle's ability to articulate deep theological truths in an accessible manner has made his works timeless treasures in Christian literature.Murray’s narrative not only highlights Ryle’s theological contributions but also his personal integrity and courage. Ryle believed passionately in the authority of Scripture, and he was not afraid to engage in controversy when it was required to defend the gospel. This biography underscores how Ryle's unwavering stand on biblical truths provides a powerful example for contemporary believers facing similar challenges in a rapidly changing world.Furthermore, the book is enriched with relevant photographs, providing readers with a vivid portrayal of Ryle’s life and times. Murray's thorough research and engaging writing style bring to life the historical context in which Ryle lived and ministered, and makes the biography not only informative but also deeply inspiring.For those familiar with Ryle’s works, J.C. Ryle: Prepared to Stand Alone offers a deeper appreciation of the man behind the writings. For new readers, it serves as an inviting introduction to a figure whose life and legacy continue to impact the Christian faith profoundly. Murray’s biography is a compelling call to revisit Ryle's insights and to be inspired by his steadfast faith and dedication to the gospel.

This biography was excellent! I knew very little about J.C. Ryle when I started the book, but by the end of the book I felt like I had gotten to know him. Now I have a great respect for this hero of the faith, and look forward to readying some of his writings. May God raise up more men like him in our day.

J.C. Rule was a great hero of the faith who fought for the clarity of the Gospel in the church. Ian H. Murray is clear and insightful. His words are helpful in understanding Ryles life and the spiritual climate of his time. Murray also does not steer clear of the controversies surrounding Ryle, as some biographers of great men do.Murray's writing about the events of Ryles life is bound to encourage the dry Christian soul to stand up and fight for truth today.

Decent biography. It deserves 5 stars cause of the quality of Murray, but the content we know of about JC Ryle isn’t as helpful as one would wish. His life isn't plain or anything, but I do feel that this is missing more specific moments and stories during his life, I assume they aren't anywhere to be found. It reads too much like a history book giving an overhead view of his life and doesn’t really touch ground enough. But i still would have read it either way. He’s a role model with unrelenting convictions and characterThe title describes Ryles course in life. He was always considered a ‘stout-minded’ man with a tenderness toward people. I think the one thing that surprised me the most was how much of a social person he was. He would attend every members home of his church atleast once a month at Stradbroke. I happily recommend this

The more I read of Ryle, the more I like him. A minister a working class bloke like me can look up to. Thanks, Dr Murray!

Fabulous book, great price... highly recommend.

JC Ryle classic.

Very pleased to have this excellent book on Bishop Ryle

Thoroughly enjoyable read. Especially important was Ryle's practise of pastoral visitation.

That J. C. Ryle was a great champion of the Gospel of the Reformed Faith is acknowledged by all Bible-believing Christians. One may say that the author provides a good general justification for such a conclusion. The great Baptist preacher C. H. Spurgeon was correct to call Ryle 'the best man in the Church of England'. Confirming this and other verdicts, an informative and edifying account of Ryle's life and influence enables the reader to evaluate him within the 19th century context.However, regarding Ryle's evangelical theology, the author's discussion is most unsatisfactory. In the chapter 'The Teacher', one would never guess that ‘4 point Calvinist’ Ryle rejected the High Calvinist Owenite 'limited atonement' teaching espoused by the author. Indeed, judging by Ryle's 'Expository Thoughts on John's Gospel' – published by Mr Murray's own publishing house – the author may be charged (on p.138) with suppressing a view that was obviously important to Ryle, who stated: “I have long come to the conclusion that men may be more systematic in their statements than the Bible, and may be led into grave error by idolatrous veneration of a system... I will give place to no one in maintaining that Jesus loves all mankind, came into the world for all, died for all, provided redemption sufficient for all, calls on all, invites all, commands all to repent and believe; and ought to be offered to all—freely, fully, unreservedly, directly, unconditionally—without money and without price. If I did not hold this, I dare not get into a pulpit, and I should not understand how to preach the Gospel.”In short, the reader is exposed to a Ryle 'made in Murray's image'. A mere footnote reference to Ryle's 'double reference theory of the atonement' (at p.76) ignores the fact that he rightly appealed to Calvin as well as the Anglican formularies in rejecting both Arminianism and Owen's type of ultra-orthodoxy. It is quite inappropriate for the author to 'short-change' his readers on this issue, then to devote so much space in defending Ryle's unwarranted support of the indefensible Prayer Book 'baptismal regeneration' language (pp.149-53). Indeed, on this issue, ex-Anglican Baptist Herbert Carson rightly described Ryle's 'Knots Untied' as 'knots tied tighter'. That said, such a criticism does not invalidate the fully-reformed view (paedo- as well as credo-baptism) held by Presbyterians and Congregationalists. Regarding the Book of Common Prayer, in his otherwise sympathetic essay on Richard Baxter (inadequately discussed on p.100), Ryle rightly deplored the treatment of the nonconforming Puritans while failing to share their verdict on the 1662 BCP's anti-scriptural liturgical demands. Of course, Ryle the Bishop acquiesced in the Anglican version of diocesan episcopacy, a theory of church order utterly discredited by Baxter and his brethren. Mr Murray is right to question Ryle's judgement is this area (p. 146). Criticising Baxter's refusal to accept the Act of Uniformity, he failed to grasp the Puritan's biblical case against 'the whole diocesan frame' as well as the Baptism liturgy. To be frank, these are undoubtedly defects in Ryle. However, in the final analysis, for all his conscientious acceptance of the entire Anglican institution, Ryle's essential heart-felt puritan disposition clearly made him an evangelistic pastor and thus, in great measure, a reluctant Anglican.The author's final chapter 'What Does Ryle Say for Today?' takes us from the past to the present. He concedes that 'Ryle is not the right starting point when it comes to the formulation of a policy for evangelicals within the Church of England today' (p.223). Indeed, with all the doctrinal, liturgical and cultural developments in the post-Ryle era (he died in 1900), 21st century evangelicals are in no position to validate their place within today's apostate Anglicanism without serious compromise. A feature of the entire liberal feminisation and gender-diversity agendas, the ordination of women is just one area of concern. The author is right to highlight the urgent requirement for three great biblical emphases 'frequently missing in pulpits today' (pp.224-34), viz. Humanity exists for the glory of God, God's Law is for all people, God's grace is to be praised in redemption. But how much 'political correctness' are evangelicals willing to accept to keep a foothold in an Anglicanism which at best only pays lip service to these emphases, if at all? Without application and discipline, such priorities will count for nothing.One final note: the author is surely correct to state that 'the spiritual need in Britain will not be met at the level of organization. What must come before that is clear, strong gospel truth' (p.222). Yes, indeed! But it is a pity that Mr Murray failed to do full justice to what Ryle fully understood by 'the gospel'. And he is not alone. Today's pro-Packer 'Church Society' Anglican 'Owenite' Calvinists insist on a soteriology Ryle would rightly reject. They are simply ‘out of order’. Their ordination vows never committed them to Owenism! According to Christ's actual teaching (Jn. 3:16; Mk. 16:15) the Gospel is universal by definition, a fundamental fact Ryle (like Calvin and Baxter before him) is to be applauded for affirming: 'I hold as strongly as any one, that Christ's death is profitable to none but to the elect who believe in His name. But I dare not limit and pare down such expressions as the one before us. I dare not say that no atonement has been made, in any sense, except for the elect. I believe it is possible to be more systematic than the Bible in our statements. When I read that the wicked who are lost, "deny the Lord that bought them" (2 Peter ii. 1), and that" God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself" (2 Cor. v. 19), I dare not confine the intention of redemption to the saints alone. Christ is for every man' (Notes on John 1:29). However seemingly-intractable are the problems we continue to face over issues like baptism and church order, there is hope if we embrace the Gospel according to J. C. Ryle. Such is the heart of his legacy, and one we need urgently to recover in our day.The Revd Dr Alan C. CliffordNorwich Reformed Church

With the publication of this book the Banner of Truth marks the 200th anniversary of the birthday of John Charles Ryle, first Anglican bishop of Liverpool. It does add some new pictorial and biographical material, partly derived from the new edition of Ryle's autobiography, also published by the BoT in this anniversary year.It serves well as a rounded introduction to the life and 'Werdegang' of JCR, but unlike Iain Murray's other biographical publications has something bordering on the obligatory about it and does not offer that much for those who have read earlier biographies. There are interesting asides about JCR's son Herbert E. Ryle, the non-evangelical once dean of Westminster and the Tractarians - some of whom also had evangelical roots and chose a different path.The JCR who is (internationally!) most loved is the concerned and sincere writer of the 'Expository Thoughts on the Gospels' and tracts. 'Prepared to stand alone' for me failed to bring across the value of this more important aspect of JCR's legacy which exceeds denominational, geographical and contemporary relevance.The attention paid to the 'Churchman' and church politics aspects of his life and personality is of limited value: JCR's style, which has remained so fresh and direct in expository and exhortatory writings, is (and this should not surprise us) somewhat bombastic and dated in polemical writings, assuming a common ground that has long since been lost and unfortunately reminding us that the history and cause of Evangelicalism in the Church of England often has been and remains one of disappointment.'That man of granite with the heart of a child', the biography by Eric Russell (2001) (for information) and the DayOne 'Travel with' biography by Alan Munden (2012) (for pictorial material) are more inspiring and accessible introductions to JCR's life and work, although I can recommend PTSA to anyone with a deeper interest in this 19th century saint - and gifted cricketer.