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Holiness Paperback – December 2, 2019

by J. C. Ryle (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 700 ratings
I have had a deep conviction for many years that practical holiness and entire self-consecrationto God are not sufficiently attended to by modern Christians in this country. Politics, or controversy,or party-spirit, or worldliness, have eaten out the heart of lively piety in too many of us. The subjectof personal godliness has fallen sadly into the background. The standard of living has becomepainfully low in many quarters. The immense importance of "adorning the doctrine of God ourSavior" (Titus 2:10), and making it lovely and beautiful by our daily habits and tempers, has been fartoo much overlooked. Worldly people sometimes complain with reason that "religious" persons,so-called, are not so amiable and unselfish and good-natured as others who make no profession ofreligion. Yet sanctification, in its place and proportion, is quite as important as justification. SoundProtestant and Evangelical doctrine is useless if it is not accompanied by a holy life. It is worse thenuseless; it does positive harm. It is despised by keen-sighted and shrewd men of the world, as anunreal and hollow thing, and brings religion into contempt. It is my firm impression that we want athorough revival about Scriptural holiness. and I am deeply thankful that attention is being directedto the point.

- Taken from "Holiness" written by J. C. Ryle
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  1. Print length
    190 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    December 2, 2019
  4. Dimensions
    7 x 0.48 x 10 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1670548694
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1670548696
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (December 2, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 190 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1670548694
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1670548696
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.48 x 10 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 700 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Tom Phillips

    Tom Phillips

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    Tom Phillips is a farm boy from Mississippi whose grandfather was a circuit-riding preacher. His family's spiritual heritage originated in the great awakenings throughout the Southeast, beginning in Kentucky, in the early 1800s. The Word of God as a daily guide for faith and practice bred a strong devotional life, a life of sharing God's love through Jesus, and the joy in the Lord that historically changed the southeastern portion of the United States and eventually touched Tom's family.

    Tom Phillips' upbringing compelled him to share his faith as a young man. Desiring to help people, he began studying medicine with the intention of becoming a surgeon. But God intervened, calling him to share not physical healing but spiritual healing - the Good News of Jesus Christ, a loving and forgiving Lord and Savior. Tom's education quickly moved from medical school to seminary.

    Tom yielded to God's call to a life of evangelism while in his second year of seminary. He realized the world had a desperate spiritual need and that a revived church could be the catalyst to renew society as had happened in previous revivals. God impressed upon Tom that he would share in a great revival to bring this nation back to Jesus' love and forgiveness. God's call opened to him a world of ministry, and eventually, the opportunity to serve with Billy Graham, where he saw millions surrender to salvation through Jesus.

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  2. J. C. Ryle

    J. C. Ryle

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    J. C. RYLE (1816–1900) was a prominent writer, preacher, and Anglican clergyman in nineteenth-century Britain. He is the author of the classic Expository Thoughts on the Gospels and retired as the bishop of Liverpool.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
700 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book eloquently written and easy to understand, with one review noting its direct approach to the subject matter. They appreciate its edifying content, particularly its insights into Scripture and its call for Christians to live a holy life. The book receives positive feedback for its value, though opinions about its price are mixed. Customers disagree about the lack of page numbers and table of contents.

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82 customers mention "Readability"79 positive3 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a classic with excellent content.

"One absolutely amaxing book. I just finished it...this was a gift for my wife and I do extensive underlining...." Read more

"...This is a book everyone should read. Every Christian in every age has struggled in his or her pursuit of holiness...." Read more

"I loved the first and second chapters on "sin" and "santification" respectively...." Read more

"Excellent content, made almost unreadable by the tiny font size and barest space between lines...." Read more

55 customers mention "Readable writing"39 positive16 negative

Customers find the writing of the book eloquent and easy to understand, though some note that it is written in the stilted English of the 1800s.

"...someone who wants an indepth but easily readable and concise explanation of Christianity, this is definitely close to the top of the list. Buy it!..." Read more

"...His poetic writing style is so captivating that it makes makes it very difficult to take a break––one gets caught up in a series after series type..." Read more

"...That radiates to all around you. However, the Book is not a light read...." Read more

"...I recommend Knots Untied as well. He was a plain speaking man whose heart burned with a holy passion for God. Ashley Hodge" Read more

52 customers mention "Edifying"52 positive0 negative

Customers find the book edifying, appreciating its great theology and insights into Scripture, with one customer noting how it expounds the critical components of holiness.

"...This is essentially BIble 101, without the cutsey stories and drivel that fills so much of Christian books today...." Read more

"...I couldn't have said it any better. It is theologically sound but extremely engaging. Ryle draws from a deep well of theology...." Read more

"...He uncovers profound truths that you may not have thought of before, but that are extremely helpful in the day to day pursuit of true holiness...." Read more

"...It is a terrific biblical account of conversion. This is an account that many professing Christians would find shocking today...." Read more

43 customers mention "Enlightened content"43 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's edifying content, describing it as one of the finest books ever written on holiness, with one customer noting its Scripture-rich nature and another highlighting its great wisdom in every sentence.

"...His commentaries on the gospels are superb. I recommend Knots Untied as well...." Read more

"...It ends with some encouraging sermons; the one I like best is entitled, "Want of the times", which seems to be a stand-alone sermon but was included..." Read more

"...J.C. Ryle has a special way of drawing the reader into his writings. It is like that in every book he has written...." Read more

"The book itself is good. JC Ryle's book, Holiness, is an inspiring read. It never dawned on me to scroll down to the dimensions. It's huge...." Read more

8 customers mention "Difficulty level"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book challenging but not tedious, with one customer noting it starts with helpful definitions.

"...of 20 timeless papers written in 1879, together with an excellent introduction and a concluding chapter with extracts from older writers...." Read more

"It's amazing how simple the concepts that he presents in this book...." Read more

"...This volume starts with some definitions, and expositions of Biblical doctrines of justification and sancitification; the similarities and..." Read more

"...The information is timeless, his exhaustive work is nothing short of awe inspiring and very essential to the believer in Jesus Christ...." Read more

9 customers mention "Value for money"5 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's value, with some finding it priceless while others consider it a waste of money.

"...The chapters on Sanctification, Holiness, and Warfare are worth their weight in gold, and I've already gone back many times to reference different..." Read more

"...The production of "Holiness" by First Rate Publishers is entirely inadequate and inappropriate...." Read more

"...and clarity of expression are remarkable, making his works not only profitable, but an easy and pleasant read, not at all tedious...." Read more

"An educational, but not very enjoyable bood." Read more

13 customers mention "Page numbers"0 positive13 negative

Customers report that the book lacks page numbers, table of contents, and index.

"...No table of contents 2) No page numbers 3) Missing quotations and footnotes from Ryle, as well as those persons he quotes..." Read more

"...SMALL PRINT! NO PAGE NUMBERS! NO TABLE OF CONTENTS! NO MARKED CHAPTER DIVISIONS..." Read more

"Pretty disappointed in the book only because there are no page numbers or chapter numbers...." Read more

"...No table of content, no page count, I think the foreword is by someone else, but they don't tell anything, the font is terrible,line spacing is..." Read more

Love Book, Good Print
5 out of 5 stars
Love Book, Good Print
Love the audio version of this book so much had to buy in print. Read reviews complaining about printing of book, must have been updated because mine is fine, bought it from Amazon.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Jim Poelstra
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very readable Christianity 101 for the novice and the seasoned Christian. A must read!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    One absolutely amaxing book. I just finished it...this was a gift for my wife and I do extensive underlining. I will read it again as there is no way to get it all in one read.
    This is essentially BIble 101, without the cutsey stories and drivel that fills so much of Christian books today. Written sometime in the middle 1800s, he could have written it yesterday, for today. He methodically works his way through Biblical Christianity. I thought the book would be stuffy and hard to read....well actually the book IS hard to read because the print is so small! But even though it has small print, it has paragraphs where other versions of this book don't, which makes reading it a lot easier. Also, I was suprised that there aren't weird dated words you have to look up every other page considering when it was written. Since there are almost no stories, the text is not dated in the least, style wise or any other way.
    His premise is that it's all about Jesus and what He did on the Cross ( what a relief that is!). His section on sin is worth the price of the book and it's too bad that one has to go back 150 years to hear this type of preaching.
    I totally give this book the hightest rating. For someone who wants an indepth but easily readable and concise explanation of Christianity, this is definitely close to the top of the list. Buy it! You won't be disappointed!
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Have You Read Holiness?
    Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    2021 Reads: 01/52
    Rating: 5/5
    Book: Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots
    Author: J.C. Ryle

    Holiness is a collection of 20 timeless papers written in 1879, together with an excellent introduction and a concluding chapter with extracts from older writers.

    Doctor Martyn Lloyd-Jones described the book with these words: "Ryle, like his great masters [the Puritans], has no easy way to holiness to offer us, and no ‘patent’ method by which it can be obtained; but he invariably produces that ‘hunger and thirst after righteousness’ which is the only indispensable condition to being ‘filled.’"

    I couldn't have said it any better. It is theologically sound but extremely engaging. Ryle draws from a deep well of theology. He often uses similes, metaphors and other word pictures draw from historical events and people in Scripture which not only drive his point home but remind us of the profundity of God's Holy Word. His poetic writing style is so captivating that it makes makes it very difficult to take a break––one gets caught up in a series after series type binge.

    His first seven chapter address the theological foundation for Holiness. He begins with the depravity of man which is the foundation for understanding holiness. Ryle states, “..the first step towards attaining a higher standard of holiness is to realize more fully the amazing sinfulness of sin.” Next he addresses holiness doctrinally and then practically, emphasising man's responsibility to fight, mortify, sacrifice, and press on. Ryle addresses both Christians and Non-Christians and discusses the centrality of one's relationship with Jesus in one's growth in holiness. He often invites and calls the unregenerate to come to Christ.

    This is a book everyone should read. Every Christian in every age has struggled in his or her pursuit of holiness. Ryle's book is a gift to the church and an immense means of grace in one's progressive sanctification and joy in Christ.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Ami White
    5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible and practical
    Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    It's amazing how simple the concepts that he presents in this book. He uncovers profound truths that you may not have thought of before, but that are extremely helpful in the day to day pursuit of true holiness. The language is a little dated, but not hard to understand. I will probably reread this at some point just to remind myself of the truths that it reveals.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Ashley L Hodge
    5.0 out of 5 stars Classic book
    Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2004
    Verified Purchase
    I highly recommend this book by JC Ryle. Ryle comes as close to finding that necessary balance of truthfulness, yet compassion of any writer I have read. His main points in this book are that you must be called by the Father, justified by the Son and sanctified by the Holy Spirit to be saved. It is a terrific biblical account of conversion. This is an account that many professing Christians would find shocking today.
    Ryle says that any true Christian must hate the world, Satan and sin to be a child of God. Without this inward warfare, there is no faith. Ryle has become my favorite author. After reading Holiness, I have ordered all of his other writings. His commentaries on the gospels are superb. I recommend Knots Untied as well. He was a plain speaking man whose heart burned with a holy passion for God.
    Ashley Hodge
    33 people found this helpful
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  • Marcy's Kitchen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Food for the soul
    Reviewed in Canada on February 2, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    One of the richest books I have read. This will be a return to book as it packs so much in that I will need to re-read again and again. J.C. Ryle has such clarity of description of the gospel, justification, sanctification and holiness and what it truly means to live a life that reflects the love of Christ. Beautiful book.
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  • Samuel Selvamony
    5.0 out of 5 stars "Holiness" by J C Ryle - an excellent book that explores clearly as to
    Reviewed in India on April 21, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    "Holiness" by J C Ryle - an excellent book that explores clearly as to, not only what is holiness, but what does it mean to be holy. Need such a great writings and such a great writers in the 21st century. If you can afford, should get one.
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  • jeremy marshall
    5.0 out of 5 stars Second best Christian book ever?
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 19, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    If there was one book any Christian could have, in addition to the Bible obvs, various candidates would be advanced. Historically, it would have been, in English speaking countries anyway, John Bunyan's "Pilgrims Progress". Other books might spring to mind. For me, JC Ryle's "Holiness" would be a strong challenger. Ryle was the (Victorian era) first ever Bishop of Liverpool and so in places the books are a little dated. Not many of us have to wrestle with issues around servants, for example! One or two other Victorian shibboleths like temperance also feature occasionally. The picture of Ryle looks just like a Victorian prophet but surely in 2015 he is hardly relevant to a world of Google and I-Pads? Just why is it that his books and especially his master work "Holiness" are so gripping? His books are certainly very distinctive in style. They have short sentences. They never pull punches. They are personal. They are powerful, challenging, meaty, rich in content and especially very strong on practical application. Many evangelical sermons and books we have today tend to be first rate in their theology but can on occasion fall short in their application of that theology to the everyday life of the reader. Not Ryle. Application is tough because its really the preacher or reader coming down out of the pulpit and saying to the man or women who is hearing the sermon or reading the book "Now, listen, this is what I suggest you should do differently". Its the "so what?" question. In business for example, people can give you vast amounts of data but without conclusions, application, things we should do differently, its all very interesting but without application its academically interesting only. The same in Christian teaching.

    So what sparked Ryle to write "Holiness"? In his day, the Keswick Movement was going strong. Keswick (its an annual Christian conference in the town of Keswick in the English Lake District) as an event today is excellent, but the C19th theology coming out of Keswick was dangerous. Its watchword was "let go and let God". Like all heresies, there is much of truth in this. We can do nothing by ourselves, we don't earn our way to God, faith is his free gift. But as Ryle points out "is it wise to think of faith as the one thing needful...that the holiness of (Christians)...is by faith only and not at all by personal exertion?"("No" is the answer, in case you were wondering). This deviation comes from a confusion between two core theological concepts - faith and sanctification. In guarding jealously and rightly the "faith alone" of the Reformers it is very easy to swerve as it were from one side of the road to the other - avoid the crash barrier and drive into the tree - by failing to distinguish between faith ( a perfect, one time event in which we have no active role) and sanctification (an imperfect, continuous event in which we emphatically do have a role.) We seem to have thrown out the baby of sanctification with the bathwater of legalism. This is a common thought of people of other faiths. They think that the Christian view is something like "I am saved so I can do what I wish." As Voltaire said "God will forgive, that's his business". This book is the perfect antidote to that fatal error.

    Ryle points out how much the bible has to say about being holy - or maybe better put the Christian is commanded in many places to become like the Lord Jesus. When our friends and family who are not Christians point out the many things in our life which are wrong - hypocrisy basically because we say one thing and do something else - then the answer is to admit our faults and become holy. As Ryle points out - "Be holy for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:15) and "Without holiness no one can see the Lord". Holiness is important, argue Ryle, also because its the way we do good to others. The description "do gooder" very sadly has a negative connotation in English but its a biblical injunction. Ryle says "It makes (the Christian faith) beautiful and draws men to consider it, like a lighthouse seen afar off". If we dont have that gravitational pull, if we dont see people coming to the "lighthouse" then it may well be because we dont have the "light" - the holiness.
    Ryle then moves on to answer the next question, again a rather obvious one "If we need holiness, how do we get it"?. What are the practical means available? He also sprinkles the book with warnings to the Christian. Lot's wife, for example, whom as you may or may not recall was very reluctant to leave Sodom when it was being destroyed by God. She was being pulled out by the angels but lingered and as she fled was turned into a pillar of salt.She wanted to escape the coming judgement but she felt the powerful gravitational pull of this life and money and possessions and the cares of this world. As Ryle points out, she is a solemn warning to all Christians of the danger of "wanting to have our cake and eat it too". Or as Ryle says "They (people like Lot's wife) are neither one thing or another: not quite a thorough going Christian and not quite men of the world". But Ryle doesn't leave us there - he brings us to a much more encouraging example - the thief on the cross.

    So in summary, if you feel comfortable and relaxed in your faith, if you feel all is good with your Christian life, if you feel you are really a very decent sort of chap or chapess, then dont read Ryle. for he will shake you awake, pour cold water on you, slap you round the face and generally prod you into life. Let me give the man himself the last word. This is typical of Ryle "Believers in the Lord Jesus of every church...I feel much for you. I know your course is hard. I know it is a sore battle you have to fight. I know you are often tempted to say "It is of no use" and to lay down your arms altogether. Cheer up, dear brothers and sister. take comfort, I entreat you...Be encouraged to fight on. the time is short. the Lord is at hand. The night is far spent. Millions as weak as you have fought the same fight. Not one of all these millions has finally been led captive by Satan. Mighty are your enemies - but the Captain of your salvation is mightier still...Cheer up. Be not cast down. What though if you lose a battle or two? You shall not be cast down. You shall not be destroyed. Watch against sin and sin shall not have dominion against you. Resist the devil and he shall flee from you...You shall find yourselves in the end more than conquerors - you shall overcome."

    So for advice on how to "overcome", read Ryle
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  • paul
    5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinario
    Reviewed in Spain on August 30, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Muy bueno. Aunque está abreviado, no lo parece: es exhaustivo pero se deja leer muy bien. La edición es sencilla pero buena.
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  • MR A G EVANS
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wow, very helpful, challenging and insightful
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 26, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Im from Liverpool (where Mr Ryle was a bishop for some time) and I'm surprised to find out that such a powerful and insightful book could have been written here!
    this is a very thorough and dedicated book to the christian call for holiness. clearly J.C.Ryle was dealing with some contemporary issues that were minimising the importance for holiness and therefore, in part, the book is a product of the times. except for the fact that its seems to me to be massively relevant to todays christians as well. This book helped me understand the relationship between my Justification (by faith in Gods grace alone) and my sanctification (the process in which God makes me more like Jesus) i had certainly been unsure of how to grow in holiness and was very frustrated in the lack of fruit in my own life. "Holiness" then, was like a breath of kind, reassuring but honest, air (the best kind of air) and literally lifted the sails of my love for the Lord. helping me to seek and fight for holiness in my life, all for Gods glory.
    On a practical note, its pretty easy to read, similar to a C.S.lewis book (think mere christianity though, not Narnia!) its also full of little gems that are worth underlining and using in essays, sermons, general conversation when you feel the need to encourage holiness in yourself and others.
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