About Erik
My name is Erik Kowalker. I am…
* …34 years old, born & raised in the Northeast (Connecticut); now living in the Northwest (Oregon).
* …a husband, married 8 years to my lovely wife, Amanda.
* …a father, with two strapping lads, Carson (6), Benjamin (4) and our precious little princess, Dalaina (2).
* …a Protestant Christian, I affirm the five “solas” of the Reformation and glory in the cross of Christ.
* …a courier at Federal Express: “What can brown do for you?” …uhhhh… ooops, wrong slogan.
*…a sucker for carrot cake.
* …and a practical joker who enjoys a gut wrenching laugh.
Contact: You can reach me via email by clicking HERE.
LOVE the sight brother! I actually just named my son “Ryle” about 8 weeks ago. Ryle has to be the most quotable man I have ever read. Thanks for doing this sight. It will become a daily stop…
Dave Anderson
Littleton, CO
Thanks Erik. I added your site to our church’s blog. As a pastor who is influenced by Ryle, I really appreciate what you are doing here.
Carson? Brilliant
Just found your site. I discovered Ryle about a year ago and agree with all of the good things said about him. I don’t think there is anyone better who gets to the heart of the message, stays on point, and makes it as clear and relevant as Mr. Ryle. I will be using your site in the future. Thank you.
Thank you very much for your work, I am a Scottish Presbyterian and I really find Ryle plainer than most Christian writers.
Hi, I put your blog in reader. I discovered Ryle a couple weeks ago and I really appreciate his thoughts.
Hi Erik,
Thanks for visiting my site, and for telling me about yours! I am going to definitely spend some time looking around — I like what you’ve done. Keep Up the Good Work!
On the Narrow Way,
Bob
Just introduced to your site a few days ago through an acquaintance on Facebook. The 5 marks was very interesting. It sure doesn’t fit typical North American Christianity. I say that in a good way for Ryle, bad way for N American Christianity.
Dear Erik,
Thank you for maintaining this site. It is a daily stop, usually my first, when I go online. My soul is edified by Bishop Ryle’s quotes every day!!!!! Good Work.
Great blog! Thanks for doing it.
Erik, do you know if there’s a filtered version of your RSS feed that only includes the actual Ryle quotes? I’d like to include it on my blog, à la “verse of the day”, but only the actual Ryle quotes.
Thanks!
BCP,
The only feed I have is the actual RSS feed which essentially is the short Ryle quotes on this site from his many books (with the rare exception of a book giveaway or a weekend piece on Ryle).
So, in summary, the RSS feed should do the trick for your blog. Thanks.
Thanks, Erik. It looks like when I add your RSS feed url to the Blogger Feed Widget, It displays a list of entries, rather than the entire text of the latest one. Not sure if I can configure this without writing code…
JC Ryle’s teaching got our family through some tough times with false doctrine. His writings are a timeless spiritual goldmine that challenge and inspire us like no other modern writer. Thanks so much for blogging him!
Cool page. I have been a devoted J.C. Ryle groupy since seminary. I only hope that before I croak my preaching will come close to Ryle’s clarity and faithfulness to the truth. Older evangelicals and their writings are often better, clearer, and more faithful to the Gospel. Thanks for the site. It will be a regular stop.
Ken
Dear Sir,
I thank you for putting the time into your website and I have been helped by you in preparing a sermon on humility.
J C Ryle is so helpful.
Every blessing to you and your family,
Andrew Thorpe
Awesome site. Enjoyed J.C. Ryle.
And again…another great man of God I have never heard of.
Erik, thanks for your comments on my blog! I finished “Holiness” by Ryle, and it has definitely taken the spot as my favorite book. Your website turned me on to Ryle. After subscribing and seeing his powerful words, I bought “Holiness.” I’m hooked! Thanks a ton.
Keep up the good work. Ryle is a dear, favorite author.
Thanks Erik.
The Bishop of Liverpool, though his writing is dated by his era, is always a joy to read and meditate on. It is a pleasure to discover someone else who loves his work but who also shares it with others.
I very much appreciate getting the daily quotes.
If you were to choose the three top books [or writings] for Ryle that I should read, what would they be and where would I get them?
Blessings on you and your family…
Vic,
To answer your question on the three top Ryle books I would recommend, I always say that for those who have never read anything on Ryle, I would recommend these three books in order:
1) A Call to Prayer. This is a short booklet that is a great way to ‘cut your teeth’ on Ryle’s writing style. Encouraging and convicting at the same time.
2) Holiness. I recommend the first edition (1877, simply click the link ‘Holiness’) which is shorter and has a better flow than the 1879 edition (per J.I. Packer), which had Ryle adding many more spectacular chapters, yet all were unto themselves.
3) Practical Religion: The basics of the Christian life including topics on Prayer, Bible Reading, Lord’s Supper, etc.
To view where you can purchase the books, go to the Books portion of this site. Hope this aids you in your desire to read Ryle. Blessings.
Erik! Love this site! I was exposed to Ryle years back when someone handed me a copy of Holiness. Since then I’ve bought multiple copies of Thoughts on the Gospels, Thoughts for Young Men, Duties of Parents and others and given them away. And I’m a reformed Baptist! I love how he writes. So pointed and yet so Pastoral.
Hey – nice WP template too
(www.darefamily.wordpress.com)
Bookmarking this one now and will probably link the Ryle quotes I’ve had on my blog to this page!
Blessings!
Paul
Erik – I also have that version of Pilgrim’s Progress you’re reading. Isn’t it fantastic with all the explanatory notes and Scripture references?
Thank you for your work in sharing Ryle with the world.
Hi
Just wanted to say thanks for this site and show you this link which you probably have but you never know.
http://www.tracts.ukgo.com/john_charles_ryle.htm
Grant,
You’re welcome. Glad to hear Ryle’s quotes are an encouragement to you.
Thanks for the link, however, I do indeed have that site provided at the very bottom of my J.C. Ryle Books page. Thanks for looking out for me though.
I enjoy the daily quotes sent to my email box — the first thing I look at every morning. Bishop Ryle was a giant of practical faith and holiness.
Inspired by this site, I have launched my own quote site dedicated to the written ministry of another evangelical Anglican theologian and teacher, W.H. Griffith Thomas. It’s still in early development, but hope that it will be half as edifying as the wonderful Ryle page.
Fantastic Chuck. Glad to see another evangelical Anglican out there with Christ-centered quotes. Keep redeeming the blogosphere for the glory of God and the benefit of His church.
Soli Deo Gloria!
E—I noticed you either changed WP themes or went to the .org platform. curious to hear more on it.
site looks better and better each time I drop by.
paul
http://www.allthyngs.wordpress.com
Paul,
I simply changed my WordPress.com theme and added a new picture header. That’s all.
I have absolutely no intention of moving this site to WordPress.org; that transition is simply way above my head.
This site is very user friendly and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the ‘in’s and out’s’ of the admin side since launching last August.
Just figured that this time when I dropped by, I’d let you know how much I appreciate your site, Erik. I always loved the depth, yet simplicity, of Dr. Ryle’s insights.
Blessings to you, my friend,
Jon
Thanks for your kind words Jon.
Glad Ryle’s insights are blessing you in your walk with Christ.
Erik, just wanted to let you know that I (1) really like Ryle, and (2) appreciate the time you take to provide Christ-centered and encouraging quotes from his ministry. Thanks!
Thanks Barry.
Glad to hear you’ve been enjoying Ryle’s quotes. It is, quite honesty, my pleasure to type these quotes and provide them for you and the rest of the body of Christ.
May more and more folks be introduced to Ryle in this generation.
Soli Deo Gloria!
I subscribed some time ago – just wanted to pop in and thank you for your great work. God bless you!
Thanks Jonie! You’re welcome.