Knots Untied - Ryle - XIX - Chapter 19

Required reading
Knots Untied by JC Ryle (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 19 (Idolatry).

My summary
Today we conclude our journey with Ryle for Knots Untied and as our Friday Focus author.  He finishes his time with us by discussing idolatry.

Firstly Ryle defines idolatry for us: 'a worship in which the honour due to God in Trinity, and to Him only, is given to some of His creatures, or to some invention of His creatures.'

Secondly Ryle tells us where idolatry comes from: 'The cause of all idolatry is the natural corruption of man's heart'.

Thirdly we are taught the forms which idolatry assumed, and does assume, in the visible church.  After a quick overview of it in history, Ryle focuses on the Roman Catholic church as exhibiting the most obvious forms of idolatry in the present day.

Fourthly we see that the ultimate abolition of all idolatry will occur at the second coming of Jesus.

What grabbed me
Good comment on members of the Roman Catholic church: 'I draw a wide distinction between the accredited dogmas of the Church of Rome and the private opinions of many of her members. I believe and hope that many a Roman Catholic is in heart inconsistent with his profession, and is better than the Church to which he belongs. I cannot forget the Jansenists, and Quesnel, and Martin Boos. I believe that many a poor Italian at this day is worshipping with an idolatrous worship, simply because he knows no better. He has no Bible to instruct him. He has no faithful minister to teach him. He has the fear of the priest before his eyes, if he dares to think for him self. He has no money to enable him to get away from the bondage he lives under, even if he feels a desire. I remember all this; and I say that the Italian eminently deserves our sympathy and compassion. But all this must not prevent my saying that the Church of Rome is an idolatrous Church. '

There may be many Christians in the Roman Catholic church but it is in spite of it, not because of it.

One sentence final verdict
Knots Untied is a collection of clear judgements on important Christian doctrines, particularly those relating to the local church.

Next week's reading
Commence The Works Volume 1 by Richard Sibbes (Available from Amazon or free here) by beginning 'A description of Christ' and reading up to, but not including, the paragraph starting 'Now Christ performs these three offices in this order. First of all he is a prophet.'

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.