Knots Untied: Being Plain Statements on Disputed Points in Religion
Overview
Attempting to “untie some theological knots,” J. C. Ryle’s nineteen essays approach doctrinal controversies of the nineteenth century from an evangelical perspective. Written in Ryle’s customary direct, plain-language, and filled with insightful commentary, this volume is comprised of Ryle’s observations on baptism, regeneration, confessions, the Sabbath, and more. This is a key work for understanding the debates within the English Church after the Reformation.
Top Highlights
“This change of heart in a true Christian is thorough and complete, so complete, that no word could be chosen more fitting to express it than the word ‘Regeneration,’ or ‘new birth.’ Doubtless it is no outward, bodily alteration, but undoubtedly it is an entire alteration of the inner man. It adds no new faculties to a man’s mind, but it certainly gives an entirely new bent and bias to all his old ones. His will is so new, his tastes so new, his opinions so new, his views of sin, the world, the Bible, and Christ so new, that he is to all intents and purposes a new man. The change seems to bring a new being into existence. It may well be called being ‘born again.’” (Page 113)
“The best public worship is that which produces the best private Christianity. The best Church Services for the congregation are those which make its individual members most holy at home and alone. If we want to know whether our own public worship is doing us good, let us try it by these tests. Does it quicken our conscience? Does it send us to Christ? Does it add to our knowledge? Does it sanctify our life? If it does, we may depend on it, it is worship of which we have no cause to be ashamed.” (Page 296)
“Lastly, but not least, you may completely spoil the Gospel by confused and contradictory directions. Complicated and obscure statements about faith, baptism, Church privileges, and the benefits of the Lord’s Supper, all jumbled together, and thrown down without order before hearers, make the Gospel no Gospel at all!” (Page 17)
“to be unfit for the Lord’s Table is to be unfit to die.” (Page 179)
- Title: Knots Untied: Being Plain Statements on Disputed Points in Religion
- Author: J. C. Ryle
- Publisher: William Hunt and Company
- Publication Date: 1885
- Pages: 442
J. C. Ryle (1816–1900) was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, where he was a Craven scholar. He was ordained in 1841 and became a leader of the evangelical party in the Church of England. In 1880, Ryle became the first bishop of Liverpool and also served as the dean of Salisbury. Ryle remained the bishop of Liverpool for 20 years.
Ryle was noted for his doctrinal essays and polemical writings. His bestselling titles include Expository Thoughts on Mark and Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties and Roots which can both be found in the J. C. Ryle Collection (18 vols.). He also contributed three volumes in the Crossway Classic Commentary Collection (13 vols.).