J.C. Ryle was an Anglican bishop and author who lived from 1816 to 1900. He is best known for his Christian writings and sermons that stressed the need for personal holiness and the importance of Bible study and doctrine.
John Charles Ryle was born on May 10, 1816 in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England. His family was wealthy and well-connected, but he rejected the opportunity to pursue politics or business. Instead, he studied at Oxford and became an Anglican clergyman in 1841 at the age of 25.
Ryle served in parish ministry for about 20 years before being appointed the first Bishop of Liverpool in 1880. He served in this position until 1900, just a few months before his death on June 10, 1900 at the age of 84.
Throughout his life, Ryle was a prolific writer and preacher. He wrote over 200 different publications during his lifetime, many of which are still in print today. Some of his most well-known works include Holiness, Light from Old Times, Knots Untied, and Expository Thoughts on the Gospels.
In his writings and sermons, Ryle emphasized the need for personal holiness and living a holy life. He encouraged Bible reading, prayer, and practical Christian living. Ryle was concerned about both the theological liberalism and ritualism he saw creeping into the Church of England in his day. He stood firmly for evangelical truth and the Reformation principles of salvation by grace alone through faith alone.
Here are some key things to know about J.C. Ryle and his ministry:
- Conservative Theology – Ryle defended orthodoxy against liberalism. He emphasized the authority of Scripture and the substitutionary atonement of Christ.
- Focus on Holiness – Ryle taught the necessity of pursuing practical holiness and sanctification in the Christian life.
- Strong Protestant Convictions – Ryle championed Reformation theology against Roman Catholicism and Anglo-Catholicism.
- Emphasis on Bible Study – Ryle promoted personal Bible reading, verse-by-verse expository preaching, and catechizing.
- Pastoral Concern – Ryle ministered faithfully to his congregations and showed personal interest in individuals.
- Prolific Writer – Ryle wrote over 200 books and pamphlets on a variety of Biblical and theological topics.
- Powerful Preacher – Ryle had a gift for clear, direct, earnest Gospel preaching aimed at converting hearts.
- Interest in Prophecy – Ryle had a fascination with Biblical prophecy and wrote a book on The Upper Room to analyze end times views.
Ryle’s Early Life and Education
John Charles Ryle was born May 10, 1816 in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England. He was the fourth child and only son of John and Susanna Ryle. His father was a wealthy banker and landowner. The family belonged to the Anglican Church.
As a young man, Ryle was educated at Eton and then attended Christ Church, Oxford. He studied classics and earned a B.A. degree in 1836 and an M.A. degree in 1838. At Oxford, Ryle learned to love hunting and indulged his natural athletic abilities. He did not perform exceptionally well academically at either Eton or Oxford.
While at Oxford, Ryle wrestled spiritually and began taking his Christian faith more seriously. Under the influence of men like Thomas Chalmers, Edward Pusey, and John Newman, Ryle decided to pursue ordination in the Church of England rather than politics or law.
After graduating, Ryle was ordained a deacon in December 1841 and then as a priest in 1842. He served his first curacy at Exbury in Hampshire from 1841 to 1843 under the mentorship of Reverend Thomas Dyson. This early parish experience shaped Ryle’s ministry skills and priorities.
Ryle’s Ministry as a Pastor and Author
After Exbury, Ryle served as rector of St Thomas’ Church in Winchester for about five years from 1843 to 1848. During this time he met and married his first wife, Matilda Plumptre, in October 1845. Tragically she died of illness just three months later in January 1846.
In 1848, Ryle moved to become the vicar of Helmingham near Ipswich. Here he met and married his second wife, Jessy Walker, in February 1849. They had five children together. Ryle would remain at Helmingham for nearly 20 years from 1848 to 1869.
It was during his time in Helmingham that Ryle really developed as a writer and leader within evangelical Anglicanism. He published his first writing in 1852, a political tract against socialism titled “Beware of the Socialist!” This revealed Ryle’s conservative political views.
Throughout the 1850s and 1860s, Ryle wrote numerous tracts and pamphlets on theological topics such as baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and statements on various doctrines. His tracts were concise, clear, and pointed. Ryle stood firmly for evangelical Anglican principles.
Some of Ryle’s best known writings came out of his time at Helmingham. This includes his definitive work on holiness titled simply Holiness published in 1877. Other notable books are Knots Untied (on Anglican doctrine), Old Paths (on the basics of the faith), Practical Religion (on Christian duties), and Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (commentaries on the four gospels).
Ryle was a prolific writer and author throughout his life. He wrote with clarity and vigor in defense of evangelical Anglicanism. Through his writings and leadership, he became a leading figure among conservative evangelical Anglicans.
Ryle as the First Bishop of Liverpool
After almost 20 years of parish ministry in Helmingham, Ryle was asked in 1880 by Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli to become the first Bishop of Liverpool. Though reluctant at first, Ryle accepted the appointment. He was consecrated bishop on December 11, 1880 at York Minster.
The new diocese of Liverpool had been created from a portion of the Diocese of Chester in order to better serve the growing city. As the city grew tremendously during the industrial revolution, the Anglican church struggled to keep up.
Ryle served as Bishop of Liverpool for 20 years from 1880 until his resignation shortly before his death in 1900. He oversaw church planting efforts and was involved with numerous ministries to the urban poor and working class. Ryle also continued to write during these years.
As bishop, Ryle was noted for his simplicity of lifestyle, doctrinal clarity, and zeal for evangelism. He did not embrace Anglo-Catholic rituals and remained resistant to the growing influence of liberal theology.
Ryle was deeply impacted by the deaths of two of his children in the 1870s, as well as his second wife Jessy in 1889. Despite these deep griefs, Ryle continued serving faithfully in the ministry until the very end of his life.
Overview of Ryle’s Theological Views
Theologically, J.C. Ryle stood firmly within the Reformed and evangelical tradition of Protestantism. He was a conservative Anglican who held to the principles of the Protestant Reformation. Here is an overview of some of his key theological views:
- Biblical Authority – Ryle believed wholeheartedly in the full inspiration, inerrancy and authority of the Bible as God’s Word.
- Reformed Doctrine – Ryle affirmed the great Reformation doctrines of grace alone, faith alone, Christ alone for salvation.
- Protestant Theology – Ryle rejected Anglo-Catholicism and Roman Catholic theology, especially the mass.
- Calvinism – Ryle leaned strongly towards Calvinistic soteriology and the doctrines of grace.
- Cessationism – He was a cessationist and rejected continuation of miraculous spiritual gifts.
- Literalism – Ryle interpreted Bible prophecy literally and rejected amillennialism.
- Expository Preaching – He championed verse-by-verse expository preaching and lectured on this topic.
- Personal Holiness – Ryle taught that Christians must pursue practical holiness in their lives, not just doctrinal correctness.
On areas like episcopacy and infant baptism, Ryle conformed to Anglican doctrine. But on most theological topics he aligned with mainstream evangelical Protestant positions. His writings and ministry provide a model of evangelical Anglicanism.
Overview of Ryle’s Ministry Priorities
Throughout his ministry as both a pastor and bishop, J.C. Ryle exhibited certain priorities that defined his work. Here are some of the key features and priorities of Ryle’s ministry:
- Bible Preaching – Ryle was a passionate preacher of biblical truth. His sermons and writings exalted Scripture.
- Doctrinal Clarity – He emphasized sound doctrine and theological precision against liberalism.
- Evangelism – Ryle zealously called people to personal conversion and saving faith in Christ.
- Personal Holiness – More than just doctrinal correctness, Ryle called Christians to practical godliness and holiness.
- Pastoral Care – He faithfully visited and cared for his parishioners, especially during times of sickness and bereavement.
- Church Planting – Ryle prioritized planting new churches and spreading the Gospel message.
- Education Ministries – He stressed ministries of teaching, catechizing, and discipling Christians in the faith.
- Missions – Ryle encouraged foreign missions work and preached annual sermons for the Church Missionary Society.
In all his work, Ryle maintained a simple lifestyle and avoided honor and prestige. These priorities shaped his long and influential ministry in the Church of England.
Ryle’s Character and Personality
By all accounts, J.C. Ryle was a man of great character, integrity, and personal discipline. Here are some insights into his personality and lifestyle:
- Physically tall and strong – Ryle’s athleticism enabled an active lifestyle into old age.
- Direct communication – He spoke plainly and clearly in his writings and sermons.
- Warm-hearted – Ryle showed a pastor’s heart and cared deeply for people under his ministry.
- Sincere faith – His personal walk with God infused his preaching and writing.
- Intellectual ability – Ryle was smart and well-read though not an academic scholar.
- Personal simplicity – He chose to live a simple, unpretentious life despite his privileged background.
- Financial generosity – Ryle gave away much of his wealth and lived modestly.
- Hard worker – Even in old age, he maintained a vigorous work ethic and busy schedule.
- Cultural engagement – Ryle stayed involved in the issues of his times and interacted with leaders.
- Family struggles – He experienced much pain and loss in his family including the death of his first wife and five of his children.
Ryle was not perfect, and he admitted his flaws. But he stands out as an exemplary model of godly Christian leadership and ministry faithfulness. His character gives weight to his writings.
Quotations from J.C. Ryle
Here are some representative quotes from the writings of J.C. Ryle that give insight into his theological views and ministry priorities:
“Be holy both in body and spirit. Set Christ before you as your grand model, and strive to walk in the steps of your blessed Savior. Be holy in all manner of conversation. Be holy in business, holy in study, holy in conduct, holy in dress. The eyes of all are upon you: you serve a holy Savior, and must serve Him with a holy life.” ― Holiness
“There is a common, worldly kind of Christianity in this day, which many have, and think they have enough―a cheap Christianity which offends nobody, and requires no sacrifice―which costs nothing, and is worth nothing.” ― Practical Religion
“The Bible applied to the heart by the Holy Ghost, is the chief means by which men are built up and established in the faith, after their conversion. It is able to cleanse them, to sanctify them, to instruct them in righteousness, and to furnish them thoroughly for all good works.” ― Knots Untied
“Never be ashamed of doing right. Never be afraid of being laughed at and mocked by wicked men…Remember, you serve the Lord Christ. Seek to live to His praise. Be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” ― Expository Thoughts on the Gospels
“There will always be those who like to think themselves wiser than the Bible, and consider themselves too clever to believe everything it contains. To argue with such people is often a waste of time.” ― Expository Thoughts on Luke
“If there is any point on which the Christian should be ready to fight to the death, it is the spirituality and simplicity of Christian worship.” ― Knots Untied
“Surely we need never wonder that conversion is spoken of as a new birth, and Christians are called new creatures, when we see what the Bible says of the heart.” ― Old Paths
“A crucified Savior will never be content to have a self-pleasing, self-indulging, worldly-minded people.” ― Practical Religion
“I am one of those old fashioned ministers who believe that repentance is one of the first steps towards heaven.” ― Holiness
These quotes provide a sampling of Ryle’s passionate writing style and his core theological beliefs. He wrote with conviction in calling people to faith in Christ and personal holiness.
The Legacy of J.C. Ryle’s Ministry
Although he lived in the 19th century, the legacy of J.C. Ryle’s ministry continues to impact Christians today. Here are some ways his legacy endures:
- Writings – His books are still widely read over a century after his death. Titles like Holiness, Knots Untied, and Expository Thoughts on the Gospels are Christian classics.
- Doctrinal faithfulness – Ryle’s steadfast defense of orthodoxy provides an example of adhering to sound doctrine amid theological compromise.
- Evangelical leadership – He was regarded as a leading figure of evangelical, Reformed theology within the Church of England.
- Preaching – His passion for biblical exposition left a model for today’s expository preachers. Ryle’s sermons still instruct.
- Discipleship – His emphasis on personal discipleship and practical faith inspire today’s efforts to disciple believers.
- Mission-mindedness – Ryle’s zeal for evangelism and missions even as a bishop sets an aspirational example for church leaders.
- Lifestyle example – His personal integrity, generosity, and simple lifestyle modeled genuine Christian living.
For over a century, J.C. Ryle’s writings and ministry have positively influenced generations of Christians. His legacy remains a shining beacon for today’s church leaders and Christians who want to live faithfully in an ever-changing world.