How Do You Read the Bible?

by J.C. Ryle

According to J. C. Ryle, next to praying there is nothing so important in practical religion as Bible reading . God in his mercy has given us a book ‘which is able to make us wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus’ (2 Tim. 3:15). By reading the Bible we may learn what to believe, what to be, and what to do; how to live with comfort, and how to die in peace. This book consists of material extracted from Ryle’s Practical Religion , which is also published by the Trust.

65 pages, Paperback

Published November 9, 2021

About the author

(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.

Reviews

[Pascale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short book but which reminds us the meaning of why we should read the Bible. It is very interested to see that even if the book was written two centuries ago. All the advices still apply in 2022! The title of this book is How do you read the the Bible? You will have the answers of this question towards the end. Even if we are waiting for this answer the first pages are useful as reminder on why read the Bible.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything that I have read by Bishop Ryle is gold and speaks to my heart...and this one is no exception. Is this worth your time to read? Let me just say that I have already quoted from it in a sermon this week while I was still in the process of reading and comprehending it. Tolle lege!

[Aaron Hand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent little book on the value of God’s Word! You can read it in two hours easy but don’t go too fast. This is actually a chapter from his larger 1878 Practical Religion book.

[Mark A Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book is a chapter from Ryle’s book called “Practical Religion.” Solid, helpful, and convicting. Deserving of wide reading and application.