JC Ryle on Church Buildings
This is a quote I read recently from Is it Nothing to You? – The Unchanging Significance of the Cross by Frederick Leahy. He was discussing the disciples saying, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones, and what wonderful buildings!” (Mark 13:1).
How easy it is to let impressive buildings and elaborate ritual blind us to the true nature of the cross of Christ. J.C. Ryle, first bishop of Liverpool, reminds us, ‘The humblest cottage-meeting, where Christ is preached, and the Scriptures honoured, and a few real believers are assembled, is more pleasing in His sight than the grandest cathedral in which the Gospel is never heard and no work of the Spirit ever goes on.’
May he keep us from ever being blinded, but always keeping the main things the main things in our church meetings.
I realize your post is from a while ago, however it hasn’t lost it potency. Without a doubt, Ryle hits the nail on the head. J.C. Ryle’s writings are so clear cut and sharp, that while reading them, you feel as if he is talking directly to you. I discovered Ryle a few years back and have come to appreciate his no-nonsense, straightforward approach to writing and exposition of Scripture. We need more men like John Charles Ryle today.
Erik