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Reading Classics Together Archive

Reading Classics - The Religious Affections (Introduction) (07/17/08 - 38 Comments)
This morning we kick off the fourth round of Reading Classics Together, an effort in which we read some of the great Christian classics together and convene here once a week to discuss them. In the past we’ve read J.C. Ryle’s Holiness, John Owen’s Overcoming Sin and Temptation and A.W. Pink’s The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross. We’ve had hundreds of people participate by reading the books together and discussing them each...

Reading Classics Together - The Next Classic (Round 4) (06/26/08 - 101 Comments)
To this point the “Reading Classics Together” effort has gone very well, at least by my assessment. We’ve read J.C. Ryle’s Holiness, John Owen’s Overcoming Sin and Temptation and A.W. Pink’s The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross. We’ve had hundreds of people participate by reading the books together and discussing them each week. All along we’ve been reading some of the classics of the Christian faith—books many of us wish to read...

Reading Classics Together - The Seven Sayings (Chapter 7) (06/19/08 - 5 Comments)
We have come to the final chapter of the The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross, the third classic we’ve read together here. It has gone very quickly! If you have not been reading along with us it is obviously too late to start now, but stayed tuned for the next book we’ll read together (I will announce it here in a couple of weeks). Summary The seventh chapter looks at the final...

Reading Classics Together - The Seven Sayings (Chapter 6) (06/12/08 - 5 Comments)
We are nearing the end of the The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross and by next week we will be finished. It seems to have gone by very quickly. You can read more about this effort here: Reading the Classics Together. If you have not been reading along with us it is probably a bit too late to start now, but stayed tuned for the next book we’ll read together (I will...

Reading Classics Together - The Seven Sayings (Chapter 5) (06/05/08 - 9 Comments)
This morning those of us who are reading some Christian classics together are going to be looking at the fifth chapter of A.W. Pink’s The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross. You can read more about this effort here: Reading the Classics Together. Before we begin, do allow me to apologize for not posting about the chapter last week. When I go to conferences my intentions are always good, but somehow I can...

Reading Classics Together - The Seven Sayings (Chapter 4) (05/22/08 - 10 Comments)
This morning those of us who are reading some Christian classics together are going to be looking at the fourth chapter of A.W. Pink’s The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross. You can read more about this effort here: Reading the Classics Together. Summary Jesus’ fourth saying on the cross is the word of anguish. While hanging on the cross and facing the wrath of God, just cried out to His Father. This...

Reading Classics Together - The Seven Sayings (Chapter 3) (05/15/08 - 9 Comments)
This morning those of us who are reading some Christian classics together are going to be looking at the third chapter of A.W. Pink's The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross. You can read more about this effort here: Reading the Classics Together. This week we move on to the book's third chapter. Summary Jesus' third saying on the cross is the word of affection. While hanging in agony he looked down to...

Reading Classics Together - The Seven Sayings (Chapter 2) (05/08/08 - 12 Comments)
Today those of us who are reading some Christian classics together are going to be looking at the second chapter of A.W. Pink’s The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross. You can read more about this effort here: Reading the Classics Together. Two weeks ago we began our eight-week study of this book by looking at the Introduction to the book and last week we read the first chapter which dealt with Jesus’...

Reading Classics Together - The Seven Sayings (Chapter 1) (05/01/08 - 17 Comments)
Today those of us who have embarked on a project to read some Christian classics together are going to be looking at the first chapter of A.W. Pink’s The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross. You can read more about this effort here: Reading the Classics Together. Last week we began our eight-week study of this book by looking at the Introduction to the book. This week we move on to the first...

Reading Classics Together - The Seven Sayings (Introduction) (04/24/08 - 24 Comments)
Last year some of the readers of this site began to read Christian classics together with me. The impetus for this project was the simple realization that, though many Christians want to read through the classics of the faith, few of us have the motivation to actually make it happen. This program allows us to read them together, providing both a level of accountability and the added of interest of comparing notes. We spent eight...

Reading the Next Classic Together (Round 3) (04/02/08 - 60 Comments)
Last year some of the readers of this site began to read Christian classics together with me. The impetus for this project was the simple realization that, though many Christians want to read through the classics of the faith, few of us have the motivation to actually make it happen. This program allows us to read them together, providing both a level of accountability and the added of interest of comparing notes. We spent eight...

Overcoming Sin and Temptation (Chapter 14) (02/21/08 - 22 Comments)
This morning we come to the end of the second classic we’ve been reading together. Chapter 14 marks the end of John Owen’s Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers. If you are interested in knowing what we’re doing, you can read about it here: Reading Classics Together. Summary Today we are at the fourth and final part of the book: directions for the work of mortification. Set faith at work on Christ for the...

Overcoming Sin and Temptation (Chapter 13) (02/14/08 - 8 Comments)
We are nearing the end of our project to read through John Owen’s classic book Overcoming Sin and Temptation. After this morning we will have just one chapter remaining. If you’d like to know more about this reading project, you can read about it right here: Reading Classics Together. If you are interested in participating in reading the next classic together, stay tuned to this site and we’ll choose a new book in just a...

Overcoming Sin and Temptation (Chapter 12) (02/07/08 - 6 Comments)
This morning we continue with our reading of John Owen’s classic Overcoming Sin and Temptation. If you’d like to know more about this reading project, you can read about it right here: Reading Classics Together. We’re in the heart of the book now and are looking at specific instructions on how to put sin to death. In the past few chapters we have been in the book’s second section—a section that focuses on “the nature...

Overcoming Sin and Temptation (Chapter 11) (01/31/08 - 10 Comments)
This morning we continue with our reading of John Owen’s classic Overcoming Sin and Temptation. If you’d like to know more about this reading project, you can read about it right here: Reading Classics Together. We’re into the real heart of the book now and are looking at specific instructions on how to put sin to death. In the past few chapters we have been in the book’s second section—a section that focuses on “the...

Overcoming Sin and Temptation (Chapter 10) (01/24/08 - 25 Comments)
This morning we continue with our reading of John Owen’s classic Overcoming Sin and Temptation. If you’d like to know more about this reading project, you can read about it right here: Reading Classics Together. We’re into the real heart of the book now and are looking at specific instructions on how to put sin to death. In the past few chapters we have been in the book’s second section—a section that focuses on “the...

Overcoming Sin and Temptation (Chapter 9) (01/17/08 - 14 Comments)
This morning we continue with our fourteen week journey through John Owen’s classic Overcoming Sin and Temptation. If you’d like to know more about this reading project, you can read about it right here: Reading Classics Together. We’re into the real heart of the book now and are looking at specific instructions on how to put sin to death. By way of reminder, for the past few chapters we have been in the book’s second...

Overcoming Sin and Temptation (Chapter 8) (01/10/08 - 23 Comments)
This morning we continue with our fourteen week journey through John Owen’s classic Overcoming Sin and Temptation. If you’d like to know more about this reading project, you can read about it right here: Reading Classics Together. We’ve now passed the halfway mark of the book and are beginning to get into the details of how we are to go about mortifying sin. By way of reminder, for the past few chapters we have been...

Overcoming Sin and Temptation (Chapter 7) (01/03/08 - 16 Comments)
After an unplanned holiday hiatus, we continue today with reading through John Owen’s Overcoming Sin and Temptation. I should have known that I’d be unable to carve time out of my busy holiday schedule to give the book the time it deserves. Lesson learned. But we continue today with the seventh chapter. If you’d like to know more about this project, you can read about it right here: Reading Classics Together. For the past three...

Overcoming Sin and Temptation (Chapter 6) (12/20/07 - 17 Comments)
Today we continue reading the classics together by turning to the sixth chapter of John Owen’s Overcoming Sin and Temptation. If you’d like to know more about this project, you can read about it right here: Reading Classics Together. We are now in the book’s second section—a section that turns the focus from introductory materials to “the nature of mortification.” In this portion of the book he will answer this question: “Suppose a man to...

Overcoming Sin and Temptation (Chapter 5) (12/13/07 - 26 Comments)
Today we continue reading the classics together by turning to the fifth chapter of John Owen’s Overcoming Sin and Temptation. If you’d like to know more about this project, you can read about it right here: Reading Classics Together. This is the first chapter in the book’s section—a section that turns the focus from introductory materials to “the nature of mortification.” In this portion of the book he will answer this question: “Suppose a man...

Overcoming Sin and Temptation (Chapter 4) (12/06/07 - 29 Comments)
Today we continue reading the classics together by turning to the second chapter of John Owen’s Overcoming Sin and Temptation. If you’d like to know more about this project, you can read about it right here: Reading Classics Together. For a couple of years I met every Friday morning with a group of friends and we would read books together. We read some great books like Os Guinness’ The Call and Tozer’s The Knowledge of...

Overcoming Sin and Temptation (Chapter 3) (11/29/07 - 32 Comments)
Today we continue reading the classics together by turning to the second chapter of John Owen’s Overcoming Sin and Temptation. If you’d like to know more about this project, you can read about it right here: Reading Classics Together. The opening portion of the book, which we will complete next week, is based upon an exposition of Romans 8:13: “If you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you...

Overcoming Sin and Temptation (Chapter 2) (11/22/07 - 25 Comments)
“Be killing sin or it will be killing you…” This week we continue reading the classics together by turning to the second chapter of John Owen’s Overcoming Sin and Temptation. If you’d like to know more about this project, you can read about it right here: Reading Classics Together. Last week we read the first chapter which was an exposition of Romans 8:13: “If you live according to the flesh you will die, but if...

Overcoming Sin and Temptation (Chapter 1) (11/15/07 - 55 Comments)
“Put to death the deeds of the body…” Today is the first day of the second round of Reading the Classics Together. Having enjoyed J.C. Ryle’s Holiness over a period of eight weeks, we are ready to move on to the next book. Between comments, email, and face-to-face interaction, I think I can safely say that at least several hundred people have indicated an interest in joining in this effort as we read John Owen’s...

Reading The Next Classic Together (11/01/07 - 173 Comments)
A couple of months ago some of the readers of this site began to read some Christian classics together. We spent eight weeks reading through J.C. Ryle's Holiness, covering one chapter per week and posting some thoughts about the book on Thursday mornings. I'm not quite sure how many people took the opportunity to read along with us, but believe it was in excess of one hundred. Holiness was a worthwhile read and we learned...

Reading Classics Together - Holiness ("Assurance") (10/18/07 - 16 Comments)
"We know that we are of God." (1 John 5:19) Today we come to the final chapter of the first classic we're reading together. You can read more about this effort here: Reading the Classics Together. Even if you have not participated in this effort, please keep reading. I’m sure there will be something here to benefit you. At the very least read the end to see how you can join in our next effort....

Reading Classics Together - Holiness (Growth) (10/11/07 - 16 Comments)
"Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18) Today those of us who are engaged in this project to read some great Christian classics together are going to be looking at the sixth chapter of J.C. Ryle’s Holiness. You can read more about this effort here: Reading the Classics Together. Even if you are not participating, please keep reading. I’m sure there will be something here...

Reading Classics Together - Holiness (The Cost) (10/05/07 - 7 Comments)
"Which of you, intended to build a tower, sitteth not down first and counteth the cost?" Today (a day late, for which I apologize) those of us who are engaged in this project to read some great Christian classics together are going to be looking at the fourth chapter of J.C. Ryle’s Holiness. You can read more about this effort here: Reading the Classics Together. Even if you are not participating, please keep reading. I’m...

Reading Classics Together - Holiness (The Fight) (09/27/07 - 12 Comments)
"Fight the good fight of faith." Today those of us who are engaged in this project to read some great Christian classics together are going to be looking at the fourth chapter of J.C. Ryle’s Holiness. You can read more about this effort here: Reading the Classics Together. Even if you are not participating, please keep reading. I’m sure there will be something here to benefit you. We are at the half-way point of this...

Reading Classics Together - Holiness (Holiness) (09/20/07 - 10 Comments)
As you know, I am, along with a group of readers, attempting to work my way through some great Christian classics. Today we have arrived at the third chapter of J.C. Ryle’s Holiness. You can read more about this effort here: Reading the Classics Together. Even if you are not participating, please keep reading. I’m sure there will be something here to benefit you. Four weeks ago we began our eight-week study of this book...

Reading Classics Together - Holiness (Sanctification) (09/13/07 - 16 Comments)
"We must be saints before we die, if we are to be saints afterwards in glory." Today those of us who are engaged in this project to read some great Christian classics together are going to be looking at the second chapter of J.C. Ryle’s Holiness. You can read more about this effort here: Reading the Classics Together. Even if you are not participating, please keep reading. I'm sure there will be something here to...

Reading Classics Together - Holiness (Sin) (09/06/07 - 28 Comments)
"Mighty indeed must that foe be who even when crucified is still alive!" Today those of us who have embarked on a project to read some Christian classics together are going to be looking at the first chapter of J.C. Ryle's Holiness. You can read more about this effort here: Reading the Classics Together. Last week we began our eight-week study of this book by looking at the Introduction to the book. This week we...

Reading Classics Together - Holiness (Introduction) (08/30/07 - 33 Comments)
The Introduction to J.C. Ryle's Holiness This is the first of what I hope will be many opportunities to read the classics together. You can read more about this effort here: Reading the Classics Together. Today we start into an 8-week study of J.C. Ryle's Holiness. Written in 1879, this book has stood the test of time and is considered one of the best works on practical holiness. At just eight chapters, it seemed like...

Reading Classics Together - Holiness (08/16/07 - 67 Comments)
Yesterday I proposed Read the Classics Together--choosing a classic Christian book and reading it in tandem, returning here once a week or so for a bit of discussion. This method, I thought, could provide the accountability many of us need to make our way through some of the classics of the faith. Based on the comments for that post I guess you are in agreement. So let's make it happen! After receiving many suggestions I...