By: Robert Serreyn
Question? Do you recommend the Ryrie Study Bible?
Answer:
No and With strong caution to those that use it,
To be CLEAR as with ANY study bible, books, pamphlets, tracts, and commentaries, ect. written by man, you MUST compare EVERYTHING what is spoken, or written with the Word of God.
(1 John 4:1) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
One of the first things I do when CONSIDERING a study bible I goto to a couple of KEY VERSES to see what their comment is on those scriptures, by doing so you can tell for the most part WHERE that person STANDS doctrinaly.
I am sure that the Ryrie Study Bible has some useful notes, BUT the two KEY VERSES that I am MOST concern about LEAVES THE DOOR OPEN for False Doctrine and Teaching.
KEY VERSE 1: James 2:14
(James 2:14) What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Here is Dr. Ryrie’s notes on V14:
“Can faith save him? Can that a non-working, dead, spurious faith save a person? James is not saying that we are saved by works, but that a faith does not produce good works is a dead faith. James was not refuting the Pauline doctrine of justification by true faith, but a perversion of it. Both Paul and James define faith as a living, productive trust in Christ. Genuine faith cannot be “dead” to morality or barren of works. A illustration of spurious faith is given in VV15-16.
According to Dr. Ryrie’s notes on V14 you are saved through:
1. TRUE FAITH.
2. A WORKING FAITH.
3. A LIVING FAITH.
4. PRODUCTIVE FAITH
5. GENUINE FAITH that CANNOT be BARREN of works
This is LORDSHIP SALVATION which is a False Doctrine / Teaching / Gospel.
The Bible states:
(Ephesians 2:8,9) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
(Acts 16:31) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
(John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
KEY VERSE 2: 1 Corinthians 13:8-10
(1 Corinthians 13:8) Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. (9) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. (10) But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
Here is Dr. Ryrie’s Note on V 8, & 10:
V8: “Charity (= Love) will never come to an end, but gifts will, though not necessarily all at the same time. Prophecy, for example, was a gift given for the founding of the body of Christ(Ephesians 2:20).
V10: that which is perfect. a reference to Christ’s second coming. Some understand this to refer to the completion of the canon of scripture, but that would mean that we now see more clearly than Paul did
If Dr Ryrie’s note is correct in V10 that the word PERFECT is referring to Christ Second Coming, Then you have to say that the Pentecostal / Charismatic gifts of Knowledge, Prophecies, Speaking in Tongues, Faith Healing, Casting out Demons, Raising the Dead ect, ect. are sill in effect today.
The word PERFECT in V10 is the Greek word ” TELEION” meaning COMPLETE. Q: What do we have today that is COMPLETE??? A: The Word of God (Canon of Scriptures). But ACCORDING to Dr. Ryrie, to say that the scriptures are complete and not refering to Christ’s Second Coming, would be saying that we KNOW more then the Apostle Paul did. I BELIEVE the scripture and the GREEK speak for its self.
Dr. Ryrie’s note on V10 LEAVES OPEN THE DOOR to the whole Pentecostal / Charismatic movement with its’ EXTRA BIBLICAL visions, and dreams which is NOTHING more than a COUNTERFEIT spirituality based on emotions, feelings, and visions ect…
IN CONCLUSION:
My RECOMMENDATION for a study bible would be the 1917 edition Scofield Study Bible, though not perfect but it sure puts the Ryrie Study Bible in my opinion to shame, its not filled full with junk doctrines, and comments as with MOST study bibles of today. Dr Cyrus I. Scofield TRIED to be as true to the scriptures as he could from his study of the scriptures.
The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know IS Jesus Christ as savior, just simply believe that Jesus Christ went to the cross and DIED and shed his blood, was BURIED and three days later RESURRECTED from the dead to pay for your sins. the MOMENT you believe(TRUST in Christ ALONE) you recieve eternal life.
-Christ DIED for you – Romans 5:8
-Christ PAID your sins in full – 2 Corinthians 5:21,1 Peter 2:24
-BELIEVE (Trust In Completely) in Christ ALONE as the complete payment of sin for salvation – John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9
“For the wages(payment) of sin is death (eternal torment in hell); but the GIFT(salvation) of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23
IT IS THAT SIMPLE – THE GOSPEL TRUTH