Dr. Jim Orrick (B.A., Cumberland College; M.A., University of Memphis; M.Div., Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; Ph.D., Ohio University) serves as Professor of literature and culture; program coordinator, general studies at Boyce College in Louisville, KY as well as Lead Pastor at Bullitt Lick Baptist Church in Shepherdsville, KY.

Orrick’s professional and academic careers have run in two confluent streams. For about 40 years he has been preaching and teaching the Bible, and he has served as pastor of churches in West Virginia, Illinois, and Missouri. At the same time his lifelong love for literature and language arts has enriched his appreciation for God’s Word and also enhanced his ability to interpret and communicate the Truth. He has taught in several colleges and universities. Orrick has contributed chapter to books on literature, philosophy, and church history. He is author of the books, A Year with George Herbert: A Guide to Fifty-Two of His Best-Loved Poems and Encountering God Through Expository Preaching: Connecting God’s People to God’s Presence Through God’s Word, which he co-authored with Brian Payne and Ryan Fullerton.

Mere Calvinism - purchase here

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners - purchase here

Dangerous Journey - purchase here

Audio Drama - purchase here

More information about Boyce College can be found here

Intro created and performed by Isaac Johnson

As we resume Thoughts for Young Men, we continue following Ryle’s third section which holds General Counsels to Young Men.

Here we are told to seek to become acquainted with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Saying this is the corner-stone of Christianity, we understand Ryle is about to drill deep into the importance of a careful and thoughtful contemplation on one’s relationship to Christ. Religion without Christ is hopeless.

Ryle pleads with his hearers to “go to Christ”. Ryle then lists reasons why. Jesus is our friend. He has made atonement for our sin. He is our strength. He gifts us with the Holy Ghost to dwell in us and seal us. He cleanses us. He comforts us. He knows our temptations

Ryle concludes with, “Hear the request I make of you this day, - if you love life, seek to become acquainted with Jesus Christ.”

Do we know Christ? Not, do we merely know of Christ - do we know Christ? Do our children know Christ? May we consider thoughtfully what it means to become acquainted with Jesus Christ.

The Banner of Truth Trust

Intro created and performed by Isaac Johnson

I’m excited for season three! We'll resume J.C. Ryle's Thoughts for Young Men. We’ll hear from Banner of Truth’s Pat Daly, Dr. Jim Orrick, professor of literature and culture at Boyce College, and many more. Season three will also feature interviews with my kids as we discuss John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress.

Intro created and performed by Isaac Johnson

Matthew Robinson is founder and director or Media Gratiae. Media Gratiae is an independent nonprofit (501c3) multimedia ministry based out of New Albany, Mississippi. Their desire is to produce film, print, and other media for the glory of Christ and for the good of His Church.

Media Gratiae (pronounced "GRAH - tee - ā") is Latin for "the Means of Grace."

Visit Media Gratiae by clicking here

Media Gratiae products including the Behold Your God study can be found here

The Behold Your God podcast can be found here

Intro created and performed by Isaac Johnson

In this installment of Thoughts for Young Men, Ryle begins Part Three which holds General Counsels to Young Men.

The first counsel he gives is for the young men he is addressing to try to get a clear view of the evil of sin.

Ryle then draws the attention of his readers to five thoughts: 1) What the Bible says about sin; 2) What an awful change sin has worked on all our natures; 3) What it has cost to make atonement for sin; 4) What sin has done already upon the earth; and 5) The misery and sorrow that sin has caused, and is causing at this very day.

Ryle exhorts the young men to pray that God would teach them “the real evil of sin”.

Have our hearts grown dull to the destructiveness of sin? Are our children wrestling with their sin and repenting regularly? May we guard our hearts from sin by considering how awful it is and by not forgetting the great price that was paid to free us from it.

The Banner of Truth Trust

Intro created and performed by Isaac Johnson

Sometimes, we unknowingly stumble upon a life-long pursuit and don't immediately realize it’s impact. For Adam Wright, that life-long pursuit is setting Scripture to music, a resource to help God’s people engage and treasure the Bible more deeply.

Adam began this process as music minister for Cahaba Park Church in 2013 writing Psalms to song for a summer sermon series on the Psalms. Almost six years later, he's written and recorded over 25 songs straight from the pages of Scripture under the moniker, The Corner Room. As each passage has a different character and intent, each song he writes takes on a different style, drawing from his deep love of acoustic music. A singer/songwriter at heart, Adam enjoys arranging each passage into an accessible and singable work that makes memorization and meditation a joy.

“These songs are a treasure to me,” says Wright. “They've not only impacted my family, my church and my community, but have made a lasting impact on my own personal love and understanding of Scripture. I look forward to where the Lord leads from here.”

More info on The Corner Room can be found here

More info on Cahaba Park Church can be found here

More info on Act of Congress can be found here

Intro created and performed by Isaac Johnson

In this installment of Thoughts for Young Men, Ryle concludes his thoughts on “Special Dangers to Young Men” by warning against the fear of man’s opinion.

Why do we care what others think about us? When should we care what others think about us? Ryle implores the young men who might listen to him to be free from the bondage of the fear of man. Ryle says, “I want you each to care nothing for man’s opinion, when the path of duty is clear.” How different would our society look today if we who are followers of Christ cared not what others thought when we were convicted about a clear path of duty?

He asks the young men to consider how unreasonable and how thankless the fear of man is.

Ryle’s practical application is rooted in Matthew 10:28 where he challenges us to fear God rather than man.

The Banner of Truth Trust

Intro created and performed by Isaac Johnson

Devon Kauflin serves as a pastor at Grace Church of Clarksburg by leading corporate worship, preaching and providing pastoral care. He also serves Sovereign Grace Music by contributing to recordings, leading events, and developing strategies for training leaders and better serving local churches. He completed his B.S. in Business from the University of Maryland (2007) and his M.Div. from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (2015). He is currently pursuing a PhD at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Devon and his wife, Kristine, were married in 2006 and have 4 children.

In this installment of Ryle’s Thoughts for Young Men, he continues to share his thoughts on “Special Dangers to Young Men” by considering the danger of contempt of religion.

Ryle was concerned that the young men he knew had little respect for religion. Religion, for Ryle, meant much more than the ill-defined value we assign to it today. For Ryle, when he says religion, he means the activities associated with the active Christian life. He mentions the young men have little interest in worship services, the Bible and “Prayer Books”. He recognized they didn’t care to sing or listen to preaching and lectures. Ryle said that these young men “appear ashamed of seeming to care about their souls: one would almost fancy they reckoned it a disgrace to go to heaven at all.”

Ryle challenges these young men by asking how seriously they’ve thought about their contempt of religion. The basis for Ryle’s challenge is the Authority and Reliability of Scripture. He uses God’s Word as the foundation of his warning to his audience.

Ryle’s concern is built upon the Word of God. His worldview is underwritten by Scripture. For Ryle, if someone hates the activities of God, this contempt is rooted in a hatred for the Word of God. Ryle quotes Robert South, “Men question the truth of Christianity because they hate the practice of it.”

Ryle pleads for these young men to consider God’s faithfulness. He asks a series of questions pertaining to God’s perfect record of keeping his word. Because God has never failed to fulfill His word, Ryle says, “Take care, lest you be found amongst those by whom God’s word is despised.”

God’s Word must be the foundation of our lives. How Ryle ties the activities of our lives to our view of Scripture is a needed reminder for us - how we live reflects whether we believe God.

The Banner of Truth Trust

Intro created and performed by Isaac Johnson

Chris and Carly Wright are the founders of Scripture Type. They design and produce thoughtfully crafted Scripture resources and goods for the treasuring of God’s Word. Be sure to visit Scripture Type and support their work. You’ll also find free resources you can use such as wallpapers, lock screens and coloring pages.

Intro created and performed by Isaac Johnson