{mosimage}I’ve been slowing winding my way through JC Ryle’s classic book, Holiness. The more I read of the book, the more involved and interested in the book I become. Each chapter reveals fresh new insights into the Word of God and the practical life of sanctification. Hidden in the midst of chapter 5, "The Cost" — a great chapter about the cost of following Christ — is a small, poignant & thoughtful excursus on revivals & revivalism.
For true revivals of religion no one can be more deeply thankful than I am. Wherever they may take place, and by whatever agents they may be effected, I desire to bless God for them, with all my heart." If Christ is preached," I rejoice, whoever may be the preacher. If souls are saved, I rejoice, by whatever section of the Church the word of life has been ministered.
But it is a melancholy fact that, in a world like this, you cannot have good without evil. I have no hesitation in saying, that one consequence of the revival movement has been the rise of a theological system which I feel obliged to call defective and mischievous in the extreme.
The leading feature of the theological system I refer to, is this: an extravagant and disproportionate magnifying of three points in religion,—viz., instantaneous conversion—the invitation of unconverted sinners to come to Christ,—and the possession of inward joy and peace as a test of conversion. I repeat that these three grand truths (for truths they are) are so incessantly and exclusively brought forward, in some quarters, that great harm is done.
