From the Archives: Evangelical Religion — by Bishop J.C. Ryle

Posted on August 22, 2016 
Filed under Resources, Theology

Bishop J C Ryle“Since many religious disputes have arisen solely because there has been a lack of accurate definition, I am beginning this paper by explaining exactly what I mean by ‘Evangelical Religion’.

I want to consider that religion which is peculiar to those within the Church of England who are normally called “the Evangelical Party”. Whether we like it, or not; whether it is right or not, it must be agreed that there are varying schools of thought within the Church of England, with many divisions and shades of opinion even within the various parties. Here I am concerned with the unmistakable and undeniable tenets of the Evangelical school which, I maintain, are worth contending for…”

Bishop Ryle wrote these words in the 1870s, but they could just as well have been written yesterday.

His main headings:

WHAT EVANGELICAL RELIGION IS

WHAT EVANGELICAL RELIGION IS NOT

WHAT MAKES MUCH RELIGION APPEAR TO US NOT EVANGELICAL?

THE PRESENT DUTIES OF EVANGELICALS.

Read it in our Resources section.