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Warnings to the Churches
The ambiguity and obscurity of statements from religious leaders today often confuse ordinary Christians. J.C. Ryle s writings were of a different character. His outspoken comments can still help us towards clear Bible-based convictions.
The church s doctrine and practice are in constant danger of being corrupted from their original divinely-given character. Seeing this, Ryle felt compelled to utter a warning, however controversial this might prove. As he observes, There are times when controversy is...a benefit. Give me the mighty thunderstorm rather than the pestilential malaria. The one walks in darkness and poisons us in silence...The other frightens and alarms us for a little season. But it is soon over, and it clears the air .
Strong convictions and clarity of expression always mark Ryle s writings. Nowhere is this more evident than in the addresses and articles brought together as Warnings to the Churches.
The church s doctrine and practice are in constant danger of being corrupted from their original divinely-given character. Seeing this, Ryle felt compelled to utter a warning, however controversial this might prove. As he observes, There are times when controversy is...a benefit. Give me the mighty thunderstorm rather than the pestilential malaria. The one walks in darkness and poisons us in silence...The other frightens and alarms us for a little season. But it is soon over, and it clears the air .
Strong convictions and clarity of expression always mark Ryle s writings. Nowhere is this more evident than in the addresses and articles brought together as Warnings to the Churches.
176 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1967
144 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
J.C. Ryle
818 books481 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 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 12, 2024
A nineteenth-century warning that is as relevant now as it was one hundred fifty years ago. Ryle arms his readers with clear and persuasive challenges which are filled to the brim with biblical wisdom.
May 3, 2022
Ryle, although a Church of England pastor, had the backbone & fortitude to teach and preach the truth no matter the consequences. Here was a man who had a passion for the TRUTH above all else. One can detect from his reading that he loved the Church of England and was quite concerned (and rightly so) in the direction it was heading. However, on multiple occasions in this book, he puts the priorities in the right order. Jesus Christ, the Bible, and then the church. And if the church isn't following those first two, then away with her!
This is a short read and yet it will be profitable to the Christian that loves the church. Personally, I found the chapter entitled "The Fallibility of Ministers" quite enjoyable. Rightly so, Ryle asserts that we should only follow any preacher or minister who can say "Thus saith the Lord," when it comes to imperatives but go no further than that. Any minister of the church is fallible and ought not be put on a pedestal. Only Jesus Christ & His Word hold that position.
If you have never read Ryle, you will be pleasantly surprised at his plainness of speech, direct challenges, and truthful charges. I highly recommend this book!
This is a short read and yet it will be profitable to the Christian that loves the church. Personally, I found the chapter entitled "The Fallibility of Ministers" quite enjoyable. Rightly so, Ryle asserts that we should only follow any preacher or minister who can say "Thus saith the Lord," when it comes to imperatives but go no further than that. Any minister of the church is fallible and ought not be put on a pedestal. Only Jesus Christ & His Word hold that position.
If you have never read Ryle, you will be pleasantly surprised at his plainness of speech, direct challenges, and truthful charges. I highly recommend this book!
March 30, 2020
Ryle gives a stirring call that is just as potent today as when he originally delivered these addresses in the middle of the 19th century. While Ryle addresses some issues peculiar to the struggles in the Church of England during his life, the lessons are applicable to us today. Ryle is emphatic about how no room can be given to anyone or anything that adds to or subtracts from the simple gospel of Christ. His call to slothful and sluggish ministers needs to be heard today. Pick up and read!
March 12, 2019
This book has aged like a fine wine. It was a rebuke to the churches then, it is only more so a rebuke to us now. This book is 8 sermons by Ryle on the true church and Satan's attacks against it. It's a great read, I only wish I hadn't read it so quickly.
February 12, 2024
I love to read JC Ryle. This book is no different. His warnings are as much needed today as they were when he wrote them.
March 28, 2025
This J.C. Ryle classic was first published in 1877 (the last 5 chapters only) as part of his work, Knots Untied. In 1967, Banner of Truth added a few of Ryle’s essays and published this powerful work.
The reader will be forced to process through the lens of Ryle who is passionately arguing against theological and moral drift within the Church of England where he served as a bishop. The Anglican Church was facing a tension in one direction towards liberalism and a tension in the other direction towards a pseudo-Catholicism. Ryle sees no merit in either direction.
Each of the eight chapters offers a simple exposition of a key passage followed by application for the reader. The topics range from the qualifications of clergy, the nature of the church, the challenges of theological error, and the tension between a desire for unity and a desire for theological purity. Ryle’s prose is often blisteringly direct; he offers no quarter to those who would tear down his beloved church. He shines forth hope that the enemies that lie within the church will repent and serve the Lord. In his chapter-ending application sections, certain themes recur. He repeatedly urges the reader to make his own salvation sure. He seems to have concern that his audience, even though he is writing to the church, lacks regeneration. He also returns again and again to the need to hold high the authority of Scripture and to diligently study it.
The reader will be struck that the issues Ryle faced 150 years ago are just as prevalent today. Ryle’s work echoes down the corridor of history offering suggestions, rebukes, and hope that is just as needed today as it was then. I’ve heard it said that the devil has no new tricks. In Ryle, we see that the antidote prescribed yesterday is just as healthy today as it was then.
The reader will be forced to process through the lens of Ryle who is passionately arguing against theological and moral drift within the Church of England where he served as a bishop. The Anglican Church was facing a tension in one direction towards liberalism and a tension in the other direction towards a pseudo-Catholicism. Ryle sees no merit in either direction.
Each of the eight chapters offers a simple exposition of a key passage followed by application for the reader. The topics range from the qualifications of clergy, the nature of the church, the challenges of theological error, and the tension between a desire for unity and a desire for theological purity. Ryle’s prose is often blisteringly direct; he offers no quarter to those who would tear down his beloved church. He shines forth hope that the enemies that lie within the church will repent and serve the Lord. In his chapter-ending application sections, certain themes recur. He repeatedly urges the reader to make his own salvation sure. He seems to have concern that his audience, even though he is writing to the church, lacks regeneration. He also returns again and again to the need to hold high the authority of Scripture and to diligently study it.
The reader will be struck that the issues Ryle faced 150 years ago are just as prevalent today. Ryle’s work echoes down the corridor of history offering suggestions, rebukes, and hope that is just as needed today as it was then. I’ve heard it said that the devil has no new tricks. In Ryle, we see that the antidote prescribed yesterday is just as healthy today as it was then.
October 27, 2024
Anyone who reads Ryle will be helped, challenged, convicted, and encouraged. This work is no different. I encourage everyone, lay person or clergy, to read this little known work. It is timeless, helpful, and important.
May 22, 2022
“Poison is always the most dangerous when it is given in small doses and mixed with wholesome food.”
December 19, 2024
The more I read this man's literature the more I learn. This short book is a clarion call to churches to get back on track and tells us some ways on how.
With just 8 short chapters he takes us from what a true church is, the importance of the word of God, the preacher's response to the word of God, and cautions about the dangers of "divers, and Strange Doctrines and more.
His arguments, while written from an Anglican perspective (he encourages the reading and study of the 39 Articles) can be used by a number of denominations, in fact, his material, in general is used by man.
The book is only 173 pages long and reads well. Typical, of his writings.
With just 8 short chapters he takes us from what a true church is, the importance of the word of God, the preacher's response to the word of God, and cautions about the dangers of "divers, and Strange Doctrines and more.
His arguments, while written from an Anglican perspective (he encourages the reading and study of the 39 Articles) can be used by a number of denominations, in fact, his material, in general is used by man.
The book is only 173 pages long and reads well. Typical, of his writings.
June 29, 2019
I must say, this is one of the greatest books I've read in 2019. What a gem! Old, yet relevant in my day. The warnings too costly if not heeded as can be seen in the church today, for want of being accommodating "being seeker friendly" is lost in the waters murky of Armenianism. Like in his time, the church was at risk of going back to Rome, today the church is at risk of being liberal and Armenian.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2015
A collection of lectures and essays primarily warning the church against liberalism and ecumenicism among those who deny the authority of Scripture, or the Gospel. Very appropriate and good.
October 19, 2019
What a classic! Ryle has a true shepherd's heart.
October 17, 2021
Read it.
Warnings that have applied to Biblical churches an Bible following Christians for two thousand years. Said plainly and backed by scripture.
Warnings that have applied to Biblical churches an Bible following Christians for two thousand years. Said plainly and backed by scripture.
December 31, 2021
These messages were over 100 years when I came across the book. That is over 50 years ago.
Been lots of changes in the world, amd the church.
There is a small section of Christian leaders who will find value here, but one wouild need to find ways to first understand the very important messages and then find ways to reapply the truths.
It is a good book with an important message, but very dated in style.
Been lots of changes in the world, amd the church.
There is a small section of Christian leaders who will find value here, but one wouild need to find ways to first understand the very important messages and then find ways to reapply the truths.
It is a good book with an important message, but very dated in style.
July 10, 2024
A Great Read by Bishop Ryle
I have come to expect all of J.C. Ryles books and was not just proven right but this was a very interesting and edifying read.
The focus especially at the last part of the book concerning idolatry
on the rise in theProtestant Church still had resonance today.
I have come to expect all of J.C. Ryles books and was not just proven right but this was a very interesting and edifying read.
The focus especially at the last part of the book concerning idolatry
on the rise in theProtestant Church still had resonance today.
June 7, 2020
J.C. Ryle, Sharing his heart, and warning the church, the bride of Jesus Christ.
Pray that the entire Bride of Jesus receive the wArning with gratitude and thanksgiving learning of Christ so that we all would love God and love one another.
Pray that the entire Bride of Jesus receive the wArning with gratitude and thanksgiving learning of Christ so that we all would love God and love one another.
March 26, 2022
timeless & hopeful
It is as if this book was written and these sermons spoken in 2020~22! The words are timeless, brutally honest, rigorously based on Scripture, and immense in hope.
It is as if this book was written and these sermons spoken in 2020~22! The words are timeless, brutally honest, rigorously based on Scripture, and immense in hope.
August 9, 2023
This book was published quite some time ago with the intention of cautioning churches and ministers who deviate from faithful adherence to the scriptures. While it may have been written for a different era, the admonitions it presents still hold profound relevance in today's age.
August 30, 2021
Series of messages given to pastors regarding wavering from scriptures.
August 23, 2022
Really loved this book. It is written towards pastors but I still gleaned a lot from it!
November 15, 2022
I enjoyed reading this, quite challenging in many parts. I expect to return to it in the future.
August 4, 2023
The warnings that Ryle gives to the churches are still relevant today. In this book he speaks the truth to awaken us all and to renew our faith.
July 22, 2025
I always love Ryle’s clear, direct and expository style. Although I found all of the warnings relevant, I found the early reflections on the Master Builder very encouraging.
July 27, 2023
(Not a review- Jeff's notes)
John Charles Ryle (like Kyle), 1816-1900. Pastor 1843-1900. Respected Bible teacher and vicar of the 19th century Church of England warns the Church in a collection of 8 sermons: Warning #1: The True Church Warning #2: Not Corrupting the Word Warning #3: Give Yourself Wholly to Them Warning #4: Pharisees and Sadducees Warning #5: All Kinds of Strange Teachings Warning #6: The Fallibility of Ministers Warning #7: Apostolic Fears Warning #8: Idolatry
From Kyle L’s leading: It’s not what you are feeling- it’s what you know. We know the Truth and feelings have nothing to do with it.
Warning #1 The True Church- "on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it" Matthew 16:18
1. My Church
p.7 The Church... is made up of all true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. It comprehends all who have repented of sin, and fled to Christ in faith, and been made new creatures in Him.
2. A Builder (Christ)
p.8 The true Church of Christ is tenderly cared for by all the three persons of the blessed Trinity. In the economy of redemption, beyond all doubt, God the Father chooses, and God the Holy Spirit sanctifies, every member of Christ's mystical body. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, three Persons and one God, cooperate for the salvation of every saved soul. ... Lord Jesus Christ is peculiarly and preeminently the Redeemer and the Savior.
p.9 The mighty agent by whom the Lord Jesus Christ carries out this work... is the Holy Spirit.
p.10 But the great Chief Builder, who has undertaken to execute the work of redemption and bring it to completion, is the Son of God: the Word who was mad flesh.
3. The Foundation (Rock)
p.12... not the person of Peter, but the good confession which the Apostle made... It was the truth concerning Jesus Christ himself which was the Rock... It was the blessed truth that Jesus was the promised Savior, the true Guarantee, the real Intercessor between god and man. This was the rock, and this was the foundation on which the Church of Christ was to be built.
4. Implied Trials (Gates of Hell)
p.13 The history of Christ's true Church has always been one of conflict and war... constantly assailed by Satan, the prince of the world.
p.14 The visible Churches have their times of prosperity and seasons of peace, but never has there been a time of peace for the true Church. Its conflict is perpetual. Its battle never ends.
Warfare with the powers of hell in the experience of every individual member of the true Church. Each has to fight... there must be warfare, so long as you are in the body.
5. Security Asserted (The gates of hell will shall not prevail)
p.17 The devil may cast some of the members of the true Church into prison. He may kill, and burn, and torture, and hang. But after he has killed the body, there is nothing more that he can do. He cannot hurt the soul.
p.18 The children of this world may wage fierce warfare against the Church, but they cannot stop the work of conversion... The powers of hell shall never prevail against your soul.
John Charles Ryle (like Kyle), 1816-1900. Pastor 1843-1900. Respected Bible teacher and vicar of the 19th century Church of England warns the Church in a collection of 8 sermons: Warning #1: The True Church Warning #2: Not Corrupting the Word Warning #3: Give Yourself Wholly to Them Warning #4: Pharisees and Sadducees Warning #5: All Kinds of Strange Teachings Warning #6: The Fallibility of Ministers Warning #7: Apostolic Fears Warning #8: Idolatry
From Kyle L’s leading: It’s not what you are feeling- it’s what you know. We know the Truth and feelings have nothing to do with it.
Warning #1 The True Church- "on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it" Matthew 16:18
1. My Church
p.7 The Church... is made up of all true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. It comprehends all who have repented of sin, and fled to Christ in faith, and been made new creatures in Him.
2. A Builder (Christ)
p.8 The true Church of Christ is tenderly cared for by all the three persons of the blessed Trinity. In the economy of redemption, beyond all doubt, God the Father chooses, and God the Holy Spirit sanctifies, every member of Christ's mystical body. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, three Persons and one God, cooperate for the salvation of every saved soul. ... Lord Jesus Christ is peculiarly and preeminently the Redeemer and the Savior.
p.9 The mighty agent by whom the Lord Jesus Christ carries out this work... is the Holy Spirit.
p.10 But the great Chief Builder, who has undertaken to execute the work of redemption and bring it to completion, is the Son of God: the Word who was mad flesh.
3. The Foundation (Rock)
p.12... not the person of Peter, but the good confession which the Apostle made... It was the truth concerning Jesus Christ himself which was the Rock... It was the blessed truth that Jesus was the promised Savior, the true Guarantee, the real Intercessor between god and man. This was the rock, and this was the foundation on which the Church of Christ was to be built.
4. Implied Trials (Gates of Hell)
p.13 The history of Christ's true Church has always been one of conflict and war... constantly assailed by Satan, the prince of the world.
p.14 The visible Churches have their times of prosperity and seasons of peace, but never has there been a time of peace for the true Church. Its conflict is perpetual. Its battle never ends.
Warfare with the powers of hell in the experience of every individual member of the true Church. Each has to fight... there must be warfare, so long as you are in the body.
5. Security Asserted (The gates of hell will shall not prevail)
p.17 The devil may cast some of the members of the true Church into prison. He may kill, and burn, and torture, and hang. But after he has killed the body, there is nothing more that he can do. He cannot hurt the soul.
p.18 The children of this world may wage fierce warfare against the Church, but they cannot stop the work of conversion... The powers of hell shall never prevail against your soul.
July 31, 2024
The only negative for the Kindle edition that I read was that the publishers felt the need to update the Scripture used to a more modern edition. I'm used to reading the KJV and would rather that people left it alone - particularly given that Ryle himself used the KJV. It's a little presumptuous that they assume that "updating" the Scripture is helpful.
March 30, 2009
Very good.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews