Blogs by Phil Ryken

True Confession: I have a growing stack of materials near my computer -- items I intend to blog about, sometime, but haven't managed to get to just yet.In flipping through the stack today I noticed something I wanted to make... continue

I am leaving Monday for a ten-day trip to the Far East.  The main purpose of the trip is to speak at the annual Bible conference of Singapore Youth for Christ (SYFC), an effective evangelical ministry for training disciples to... continue

As the son of an English professor and a firm believer in common grace, I would be the last person to say that Christians should not read non-Christian literature.I do believe, however, that Christian parents should exercise cautious oversight of... continue

To my surprise, a number of readers have written to challenge my critique of Philip Pullman's theology.  I say "to my surprise" because in recent years I have read a number of articles by or interviews with Philip Pullman in... continue

While I believe Carl Trueman is right to caution against an overreaction to Philip Pullman, I still believe that his books, particularly, must be distinguished from Harry Potter, the Arabian Nights, and most other secular literature for children.  Here is... continue

In criticizing The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, I fear that Carl Trueman may be committing a category mistake.  It is true, of course, and widely known, that C. S. Lewis did not have a fully Reformed theology of... continue

Banner of Truth has republished a nice little book of selections from Samuel Rutherford's marvelous pastoral letters.  The book is called The Loveliness of Christ, and it looks to be ideal for devotional use.  Here is one of Rutherford's gems:"If... continue

Writing in Five Views of Sanctification, Sinclair Ferguson explains that in Reformed theology, sanctification is "rooted not in humanity and in their achievement of holiness or sanctification, but in what God has done in Christ, and for us in union... continue

In his masterful little book The Elder and His Work, David Dickson writes: "Let people avoid getting into a grudging, grumbling way about church matters, but rather take a hearty, kindly interest in them. Many things in this world, both... continue

A suitable aspiration for Thanksgiving:"Lord's Day, April 21.--In the morning, calm and composed, with some outgoings of soul after God in secret duties, and longing desires for His presence in the sanctuary and at His table; that His presence might... continue