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The Christian Race
320 pages, Hardcover
Published January 10, 2025
4 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
J.C. Ryle
837 books490 followers(John Charles Ryle) Ryle started his ministry as curate at the Chapel of Ease in Exbury, Hampshire, moving on to become rector of St Thomas's, Winchester in 1843 and then rector of Helmingham, Suffolk the following year. While at Helmingham he married and was widowed twice. He began publishing popular tracts, and Matthew, Mark and Luke of his series of Expository Thoughts on the Gospels were published in successive years (1856-1858). His final parish was Stradbroke, also in Suffolk, where he moved in 1861, and it was as vicar of All Saints that he became known nationally for his straightforward preaching and firm defence of evangelical principles. He wrote several well-known and still-in-print books, often addressing issues of contemporary relevance for the Church from a biblical standpoint. He completed his Expository Thoughts on the Gospels while at Stradbroke, with his work on the Gospel of John (1869). His third marriage, to Henrietta Amelia Clowes in 1861, lasted until her death in 1889.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 26, 2026
Another great book by Ryle! He is always worth reading, always edifying.
September 17, 2025
Hard hitting and clear classic evangelical sermons from Ryle. Every chapter convicts the heart and centers Christ. Great devotional. 4/5
August 21, 2025
This is one of my favorite Ryle works of the many reprinted by Banner of Truth. It’s the most sermonic of any Ryle title, but the sermons are so incredibly penetrating.
Several of the sermons are old-fashioned gospel sermons. You know the kind—no fluff but so aimed directly at the heart. When you read them, you want to go preach one right away. One theme I always find in Ryle is his penchant to define true salvation. He’s apparently alarmed by false professions. The beauty of his preaching is that he doesn’t sink to legalism or even rank condemnation. The loving offer of salvation remains. In a few of these he even reminded me a bit of Spurgeon. There are sermons aimed more at Christians as well, but the Gospel is front and center still.
I thought perhaps I should mention my favorite of the volume. That became surprisingly difficult to produce, but there were two sermons on John 10:27, 28 that I finally chose. As a good sermon will do, those two sermons made me mesmerized by the text!
The book is, as expected, in that beautiful, quality hardback for which Banner is so well known. It’s a grand thing to see Ryle get revived so thoroughly for our day and this work is a perfect example of why.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Several of the sermons are old-fashioned gospel sermons. You know the kind—no fluff but so aimed directly at the heart. When you read them, you want to go preach one right away. One theme I always find in Ryle is his penchant to define true salvation. He’s apparently alarmed by false professions. The beauty of his preaching is that he doesn’t sink to legalism or even rank condemnation. The loving offer of salvation remains. In a few of these he even reminded me a bit of Spurgeon. There are sermons aimed more at Christians as well, but the Gospel is front and center still.
I thought perhaps I should mention my favorite of the volume. That became surprisingly difficult to produce, but there were two sermons on John 10:27, 28 that I finally chose. As a good sermon will do, those two sermons made me mesmerized by the text!
The book is, as expected, in that beautiful, quality hardback for which Banner is so well known. It’s a grand thing to see Ryle get revived so thoroughly for our day and this work is a perfect example of why.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
March 21, 2025
In The Christian Race, Banner of Truth presents sermons by J. C. Ryle on enduring in the faith.
I was most pleased to read a series of three sermons on regeneration, taking all three to examine John 3:3. Ryle strikes a clear distinction between those who are born again and those who are not. He focuses on an inward change in spirit and truth, and that it is impossible to change your heart without God. Writing with urgency, he implores his hearers not to quench the Spirit and goes on to list 8 marks of a born-again believer.
Motivating and Encouraging
I was most excited to read a four-sermon series from Revelation. There is urgency and pleading in these sermons. Ryle speaks of heavenly glories, and the blessings and rewards that come with being included in the redeemed. I was compelled to look forward to a place of perfect unbroken happiness, no sorrows, and being with my Savior.
The Christian Race is an excellent collection of sermons that will spur you on in your walk with God. Motivating and encouraging, it will cause you to run.
I received a media copy of The Christian Race and this is my honest review.
I was most pleased to read a series of three sermons on regeneration, taking all three to examine John 3:3. Ryle strikes a clear distinction between those who are born again and those who are not. He focuses on an inward change in spirit and truth, and that it is impossible to change your heart without God. Writing with urgency, he implores his hearers not to quench the Spirit and goes on to list 8 marks of a born-again believer.
Motivating and Encouraging
I was most excited to read a four-sermon series from Revelation. There is urgency and pleading in these sermons. Ryle speaks of heavenly glories, and the blessings and rewards that come with being included in the redeemed. I was compelled to look forward to a place of perfect unbroken happiness, no sorrows, and being with my Savior.
The Christian Race is an excellent collection of sermons that will spur you on in your walk with God. Motivating and encouraging, it will cause you to run.
I received a media copy of The Christian Race and this is my honest review.
July 22, 2025
A good read, very thought provoking and encouraging for the daily growth and race in the Christian life
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews