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.
It’s amazing how many volumes Banner of Truth has given us of Calvin sermons in new translations. When Calvin gets freshly translated, you can see easily what a spectacular expository preacher he was. I know it’s debatable to say, but I think it’s his best gift. In any event, this book of sermons on Isaiah 53 continues that tradition of great sermons that I have enjoyed in previous volumes.
This collection of sermons has long been highly valued. It’s been printed several times, and as the Introduction shows, has received English translation a few times too. Those translations are already a bit stale, so this volume is welcomed.
Perhaps this set of sermons by Calvin is, if you can believe it, even more on themes of Soteriology than some of the others I’ve encountered. Credit Isaiah 52:13-53:12 as the reason. That exquisite picture of our suffering Savior naturally leads to those great theological themes.
This may sound odd, or maybe it’s just me, but I thought the sermons got better as they went. Let’s call it building to a crescendo. I know many have access to Calvin’s commentary on Isaiah, but this a different resource entirely. I vote for using them both.
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.
J. C. Ryle is finally getting his due. Many have enjoyed his work on the Gospels that have been available in one form or another for many years. Banner of Truth has taken on the task of gathering and reprinting many other works of this fervent man. They cut no corners either. He gets the deluxe treatment in these quality bindings with attractive dust covers. To be sure, they look sharp on the shelf, but they are best found in your hands.
Obviously, these books are individual releases, but Banner always gathers them in a lot they call the J. C. Ryle Classics Bundle and offers them in a more affordable way. To me their pricing structure is quite commendable considering the quality of their physical books as compared to the slipshod offerings of some Christian publishers.
Just as I received this set, one volume, “Christian Leaders of the Eighteenth Century”, went out of print (Banner usually brings great books back into print, and it is already back). Still, it was replaced in the classics bundle by a brand new release, “The Christian Race”, that I’ll check out later. Ryle had a second niche in biographical writing. I suppose those in this volume (Christian Leaders) are his heroes and who can blame him. A few well known (Whitefield & Wesley) and nine lesser known men who had God’s hand on them are what he covered. There’s a thread between all of them—revival. God did it, of course, but what men!
“Light From Old Times” is another biographical turn toward stalwart spiritual men. While I had heard of several of them, a few were new to me. Another unique feature is that several of them were martyrs. I must admit that such biography is on a higher plane, even dripping with ethereal beauty. Ryle is not here in a cradle-to-grave vein, but more an admirer explaining why they stand so tall. And tall they do stand, straight and stately.
Perhaps the most famous title in this collection is “Holiness”. I’ve heard it lauded by many for as long as I can remember. It’s not a doctrinal treatise on holiness, but dives deep into practical holiness. Lamentable as it is, most such books aren’t popular, but this one caught on. Strangely enough, this book has an impact far beyond its original target. He addresses certain shallow displays of Christianity popular in his day that’s not of particular interest these days, but the book is in no way hobbled by it. The reason for that success is the timelessness of the biblical material. It’s still just sermons, but they do somehow weave a unified whole that has something meaningful to say about practical holiness. Some sermons here use a Bible character—Moses, Lot, Lot’s wife— to great effect while others tackle a concept directly. Let’s call this one pure gold.
Next is “Practical Religion”. These 21 sermons are a cross between textual and topical. In my opinion, Ryle was especially good in these type sermons. To me, these type sermons are hard to put together and Ryle must have given lots of time to them. The subjects covered are all those he calls “practical religion”. He suggests it might best follow reading “Holiness”. The first sermon “Self-Inquiry” is almost totally topical, but what a catchy verse launches the sermon. The next one on “Self-Exertion” is more textual and revolves around the “strait gate”. The next sermon (“Reality”) is shorter, but piercing. For the preacher, it might suggest several sermons. A specialty of his is going after false professors. Then there are some straightforward sermons that might help even new Christians. In that stretch I thought the sermon on zeal stood out. In the sermon “Formality” the spiritual temperature rises again. In a sermon on the world he sensibly covers separation. That’s not always sensibly presented by many, but he is well balanced here. The sermons continue to be practical. The last 6 are on a clear trajectory to Christ’s Return and Heaven (except for those who went another way in The Great Separation).
“Knots Untied” is the Banner title that introduced me to Ryle outside his work on the Gospels. It piqued my interest and brought me back for more.
“The Upper Room” is a tidy collection of sermons and addresses gathered in old age from across his ministry. Two popular offerings of Ryle are included here: “The Duties of Parents” and “Thoughts for Young Men” that are often reprinted alone. I read them to advantage years ago. Before those two sermons are some exciting offerings by Ryle. Almost out of place among them, though, is an address on the simplicity of preaching. He got very practical with that article, but it does lay out some good things for any new preacher to consider. The sermons were my favorite in this book. While perusing these sermons, I felt a keen desire to return to these texts and preach them someday myself. That’s always a good sign of a successful sermon.
I’m not surprised that one of these volumes was entitled “Old Paths”. That is where he lived even in his day. Can you imagine what he’d say about our day? I suspect he’d be right too. The subjects are ones you’d think would never go sideways among believers as they are the core beliefs—inspiration, sin, forgiveness, justification, conversion, faith, repentance, etc.— though they often do. These are topical sermons. Few really do topical sermons well, but Ryle consistently does. There’s a mass of thoughtful learning here given in a pastoral style.
Finally, “Charges and Addresses” might not be the best of these books as it is certainly a hodgepodge. I’m guessing only those who really love Ryle will be attracted to this book. But here you are thinking about getting this lovely J. C. Ryle Classics Bundle, so I guess that would be you. Only the most revered authors get these type sermons in print. That’s Ryle.
You see loving hands putting this Ryle set together. Their work provides beauty for us all. Ryle loves Jesus, His Word, and possesses a pastoral tenderness that suggests he’s quite fond of us as well. You can’t go wrong here.
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.
Here’s the third volume of Calvin’s sermons that survived on the Gospels. These sermons are truly captivating. Credit both Calvin for his sermon prowess and White for his exquisite translating skills. While reading you can so easily forget how old they are. If it wasn’t for a near obsession against “papists”, you’d forget these sermons weren’t new. I guess we’d better credit the timelessness of God’s Word as well.
Most people know John Calvin the theologian, maybe some John Calvin the commentator, but few John Calvin the preacher. Don’t expect a treatise on the theological system that bears his name here, but some sterling exposition. These sermons are dandies.
Preachers may love the sermons as they prepare their own, but I see another wonderful use of this book. I can’t imagine a better devotional read. The sermon “One Mightier Than I” was so piercing. I was thinking of doing one thing in my life professionally that wasn’t a sin or anything like that, but this sermon turned me around in my tracks. That is now off the table. Now that’s the kind of devotional reading I like—not those that just give you the warm fuzzies, but those that humble you.
I could go on and on as all of them are high quality . The ones that covered Jesus’ temptation were especially enlightening. Without a doubt, this is a volume that I will be returning to again in the future.
Of course it’s got the beauty and durability we have come to expect from Banner. I hope they keep translating and giving us these volumes. I’ll never stop asking for them to do Jonah, but maybe I’m the only one who wants that one.
This is a book that I feel blessed to own. I suspect you will feel the same way. 
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.
The best one yet! We are now 7 volumes into this incredible series. Spurgeon lovers are thrilled. All lovers of great sermons should be. Spurgeon was special. He is, without any hyperbole, unique in Christian history. For preachers, there could hardly be one greater than Spurgeon to teach you what life in a sermon looks like. As you can tell, I love Spurgeon!
So why is this volume 7 the best one so far? First, it’s bigger. There are more of these extraordinary sermons. The more Spurgeon the better. You’ll be surprised by the sheer weight of this volume in your hand. The design is like the previous ones, but even the hue of this one is best. Beyond the sermons are all those luscious pictures for the Spurgeon collector. The traces of a labor of love are everywhere apparent in this book.
Second, it is finished! If you take the time to read the introductory material, you will see that the editors decided to put all the remaining sermons in this volume. Now you can secure the whole set if you’ve not been collecting as you go.
The sermons themselves are best described as very full outlines, but follow Spurgeon’s usual way of preaching all over the Bible. All of them are great and some of them are exceptional.
Besides recommending and rating this volume highly, I must also thank the publisher for this whole project. What a gift for us. What an accomplishment by them. Do you want quality and beauty on your shelves? Then this is for you!
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.
This is a publishing event! Fortunately for us, Banner is the publisher, and as you likely know, still puts effort into publishing beautiful, quality books that will last. Beyond acing the eye test, what we get between the covers of these three volumes is even more exquisite. These sermons on Job have long been considered among his finest. I’ve often told people not to think of him in terms of the theological system that bears his name, but as either a commentator or expositor. People across the theological spectrum can learn from him both content and the art of how it’s done. You don’t have to agree with every word he says, but you’ll be all the better for wrestling with them.
Since Calvin wrote in French, most of us need a helper to get at his sermons. Rob Roy McGregor, in my view, has excelled in translating and updating these sermons with words that flow beautifully. In fact, you can be reading these sermons and totally forget the centuries that have passed since they were preached. They could easily have come from our day in terms of readability.
While you’d be crazy to preach 159 sermons on Job, you’d be wise to read these 159 sermons on Job to prepare to teach or preach Job. So often, I’ve read later works on Job and found Calvin quoted. That’s not an accident. Sometimes he squeezes more out of a verse than I think is legitimately there, but the interaction will help you arrive at the heart of the passage. Plus, if you’re studying just one passage in Job, the corresponding sermon in this set will be a boon to you.
I have not, of course, read all of the sermons yet. But I have read in different parts of the set to get the flavor of the fruit that is provided here. It is ripe and tasty. In the first sermon alone, he explained how Job made a bad case of a good cause with his friends made a good case of a bad cause! Now that’s what I call insight!
Be sure to check out the Translator’s Preface and the Introduction. You wonder if Calvin’s prolific physical suffering (he suffered severe health problems for years) made Job a personal favorite or even a needed friend.
What an awesome set to get! ( Now if we could only convince Mr. McGregor to tackle Calvin’s Jonah sermons next!) This set is a treasure that has not been available to us before and how blessed we are to get it.
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.
Here’s an attractive new volume by popular older theological writer George Smeaton. You probably are aware of his influential writings on the Holy Spirit and the Atonement that have been around for 140 years. In this new release sermons and addresses are collected and presented to us in one book.
The book begins with a fine biographical sketch by John Keddie. This is particularly valuable since there has been so little written on Smeaton. Since there’s so little for Keddie to draw from, there’s much more on his career than his personal life. His ministry and theological writing are well described as well as several theological controversies of his time that he was involved in. Next, the Introduction gives a few details on these sermons and addresses. What is unique about these addresses are how they really add to a biographical understanding of Smeaton themselves.
The first five are excellent sermons that have both an exceptional theological basis and a clearly experiential side. The next two look at the profound revival of his time. The one “The Improvement of a Revival Time” makes you pine for what we know so little of. The last several are excellent yet give good historical background and strong encouragement particularly for preachers.
This beautiful hardback is the perfect setting for these writings. I think you’ll like them.
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.
It is so wonderful to see this awesome series resumed after a delay. It turns out that a change in editorship most likely brought on the hold up, but what we loved in the first three volumes is still on hand here. I especially love the beauty and durability of these collector’s editions , but if you need to save a few dollars there is a regular edition as well. To me, the collector’s is worth the extra expense.
While the sermons here might not be quite as good as his later ones that have been long in print, they are unmistakable Spurgeon and contain much more than potential. The focus on the Cross and the call to repent and be saved is everywhere just like you’d expect from him.
Be sure to read the introduction so you can understand what they are trying to accomplish here. Every reader will have their own favorites, but in this volume it is some of the sermons from the old testament prophets that I found truly classic.there are a few where are you a crack a smile like the one on Deuteronomy 22:11 called “Linsey-Woolen Forbidden”!
The work is simply gorgeous as well there are photographs of his sermons as well as indispensable notes on every sermon. You will learn a lot of things about Spurgeon in those notes as they are impeccably researched.
They have re-calibrated this series and it will now ultimately be nine volumes. We are almost halfway there and what a jewel the set will be! Plus, it will be easier on the wallet to secure these volumes one by one as they are released and at the end what a treasure you will have!
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.
Maybe you are like me and already own most every book about Charles Spurgeon that has been written. At least those that are well known and have stood the test of time. Perhaps you were also like me and thought all of the most important books about Spurgeon had already been written. As it turns out, we were wrong. Enter this new book by Thomas Breimaier that makes a distinct contribution and approaches the study of Spurgeon from a heretofore untried method. He allows the sermons of Spurgeon to tell his theological biography.
Since this book is advertised as a scholarly study of Spurgeon, you might fear that that would add some amount of boredom to a book about him. Though the scholarly approach often slows down the excitement of a book, this book is saved by the words of Spurgeon himself. Spurgeon couldn’t be dull if his life depended on it!
I have never seen the terms “crucicentric” and “conversionistic” used so often in a book, and though they are so rare that they could not even pass my spellcheck, they are accurate descriptions of the essence of Spurgeon even if no one but scholar would use them. To be sure, for Spurgeon everything, and I do mean everything, is about the Cross and the need of salvation.
The book works too. You might think a book that studied Spurgeon’s preaching in terms of both style and theology couldn’t possibly share his life’s story as well. But it does. I’m not saying we have a new David McCullough here, but since it’s a biography you may already know anyway the story of a man we love is here.
The introduction discusses past works about Spurgeon and his sermons as well as describing the published sermons. Being familiar with all of those works myself, I feel this number is well done. The six chapters that approach Spurgeon both chronologically and involves the role of the Bible, his use of the text in both Old and New Testaments, and his later ministry all hold attention.
The truth is that Spurgeon was not a master expositor like, say, his contemporary Alexander McLaren, but he was likely the greatest preacher of the gospel we have ever known. His sermons will always remind us to magnify Jesus and never fail to call on the hearer to receive Christ now. Every preacher in the world needs a dose of Spurgeon and every listener needs a dose of such preaching. Yes, Spurgeon was tethered to the Cross and that’s worth reading in a world unmoored from it.
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.
The trifecta is complete! With this edition of sermons on 2 Timothy, Banner of Truth carries the day by now having in print all of Calvin’s sermons on the Pastoral Epistles. Their coup stands more pronounced by the masterful translation Robert White accomplished in these volumes. There has been a volume of select sermons in an older translation, but all these sermons on the Pastorals in a quality English translation were unobtainable until now. The triumph concludes with these volumes being printed in lovely, quality editions that will last for generations.
The quality and set up mirror the previous two releases. Mr. White provides sermons titles and, mercifully, uses modern punctuation. (A comparison of other Calvin sermons translated by others proves how vital translation is to older sermons). There’s a brief introduction that places these sermons in Calvin’s career. Calvin’s own difficulty in ministry, as Mr. White well explains, makes these sermons passionate. He provides a few more paragraphs to explain how Calvin approaches this epistle. As before, the book ends with “prayers before and after the sermon” giving more insight into Calvin’s practice in preaching.
Also as before, you need not think this volume is only for someone who subscribes to the theological system that bears Calvin’s name. Calvin is a master preacher who handles the text in a way that instructs on how to preach as well as it informs on the passage the sermon addresses. In that sense, it’s a double success that demands a place on every pastor’s shelves. Whether you agree with every line or not, these sermons are pure gold!
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.
The Reagan Review 