Balancing the Christian Life by Charles C. C. Ryrie

by Charles C. Ryrie

Genuine and wholesome spirituality is the goal of all Christian living. It sounds so simple, doesn't it' Perhaps the principle may be, but living by the principle is another matter altogether. In Balancing the Christian Life, Charles Ryrie reminds you that "the Bible must be the guide and test for all our experiences in the spiritual life ...and if any experience fails to pass that test, it must be discarded." He warns that "an unbalanced application of the doctrines related to spirituality will result in an unbalanced Christian life."Ryrie examines numerous key issues of spirituality, old and the new life Sanctification Using your gifts Routine faithfulness Wiles of the Devil Temptation Confessing Forgiving For more than 40 years, Balancing the Christian Life has been changing lives worldwide. Take time to read this classic study--and allow it to change yours.

Genres: Christian Living, Theology, Nonfiction, Christian, Christianity, Discipleship

Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Charles Caldwell Ryrie (born 1925) was a Christian writer and theologian. He graduated from Haverford College (B.A.), Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M., Th.D.) and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland (Ph.D.). For many years he served as professor of systematic theology and dean of doctoral studies at Dallas Theological Seminary and as president and professor at Philadelphia College of Bible, now Philadelphia Biblical University. He was a premillennial dispensationalist, though irenic in his approach. He was also the editor of the popular Ryrie Study Bible.

Reviews

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scriptural, practical, and a good basic introduction about the different aspects of Christian life.

[Apryl Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember reading this in my early days of discovering the faith, and find it equally trustworthy today. It's not an entertaining read; it's the sort of text that's worth spending time to consider one's current understanding, question and test for oneself. I found it helpful to journal in response, coming up with my personal account of what I know, doubt, and refute. If you don't know what you stand for, you could fall for anything. This book is a helpful guide to recall and record your own apologetics.

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that should be read by all Christians. Not only once but several times. Ryrie keeps us in line with the Bible and shows us that God wants our lives to be balanced in all areas. There is a chapter on 'Money and the Love of God', a chapter dealing with 'The Wiles of the Devil', one on the "Using Your Gifts' and many other important subjects. The book I had has a 'Study Guide' in the back that can be used personally or in teaching others.

[Marsha Hudgens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was helpful to me. I tend to run off the road overcorrecting. I will read it again more slowly, and really study the scriptural references instead of just saying, "Oh, yeah, I remember that one" too often.

[Read1000books · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I were to compile a list of the one dozen books every Christian should read, this book would be on that list. It is that practical, basic, and helpful. Search on-line for a list of the chapter titles, or better yet, buy a copy today.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've ever read on the Christian life. Balance is so very key, and this book nails it in virtually every area. Must read.

[Josh Childs · Rating 1 out of 5]

"We have taken the greatest story ever told, and made it boring."

[Maggie Bowman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, honest truth here: this book was a struggle. And I love theology books. Ryrie's book was really poorly organized and had so many terrible analogies I found it hard to focus.

HOWEVER, if you can push through, there are some good nuggets of wisdom dropped in the middle of a meandering thought. Seriously, at times it felt like his writing style was "stream of consciousness".

All that to say, it did generate a lot of discussion for our book study, which is probably more beneficial than if he said everything clearly anyway.

The two best chapters were probably the chapters on Dedication (where he examines Christian's use of he word 'rededication') and the chapter titled, "Must Christ be Lord to be Savior?" Which also examined Christian's casual use of the word Lord as Master only.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was full of great truth nuggets. However, it was extremely hard for me to get through. I only made it about half way, however I do intend to finish it, it just is taking me forever because it is so deep. I would still recommend it, but realize going into it that it is deep and won’t be a quick, easy read by any stretch. Take your time and you’ll learn some great things.

**I received this book for review from Moody Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[A. Jacob W. Reinhardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good classic and I am sympahteitc to his overall approach. The focus on dedication is noteworthy as the idea is out of vogue in Christian thinking, but the idea of making a commitment thst is binding coukd help us. He summarizes the balanced Christian Life around our duties of dedication, discipline, dependence, and continual development. A good study.

[Judi Orme · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an old treasure to me, going back to my early years as a Christian. This book helped shape the theology that I believe, and it was refreshing to revisit it and read it again. Ryrie spells out the basics of Christian life in such an understandable way. I highly recommend it to anyone new or old in their faith.

[Isaias · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy recomendable para crecer en la vida cristiana

Enseñanzas Biblicas y sencillas de entender a temas muy importantes para la vida cristiana y crecimiento espiritual. Lo recomiendo tanto para nuevos creyentes como para cristianos maduros.

[Jonas Twiddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book! A must read! Charles is an amazing author!

[Keidy Sheilyn Reinoso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesante el libro del maestro Ryrie, confrontador y realista

[Denise Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stopped reading at chapter 7, hardly no new information for me

[Ben Denison · Rating 5 out of 5]

So read this once by myself and rushed through it. I think I rated it a 3. Not that impressed.

But this second time through, I studied it within a Men’s Bible Study at church, with about 6-7 other guys. 1 chapter every other week and the actual study, chewing on it, digesting it slowly, and application to my Christian walk… it really changed my opinion of the book.

Very much appreciated the study and recommend it to others.

[Julie Stinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. On my list to read once a year.