The Heart in Pilgrimage

What writings have proven to help Christians grow in grace and godliness? In The Heart in Pilgrimage, Leland Ryken presents a treasury of classic devotionals on the Christian life.

At just under 200 pages, this book is a beautiful anthology of the best Christian prose. Ryken introduces his book by defining what makes a work a classic, namely because of its excellence and being the best. Literary qualities and memorability play a part. Famous authors and their most associated works are also considered. I cannot argue with Ryken’s selection, as it spans 17 centuries and includes 46 authors.

Explanations and Analyses

This book would be worth the price just with the devotionals. But Ryken includes his own explanations and analyses – his explications – giving context and keys to understand and appreciate the beauty of the writings. Ryken is a teacher, and one that will turn your heart to trust the truths in each devotional.

I was happy to find some of my old favorites in this collection. Revisiting their work in the context of others helped me read them with fresh eyes. Jeremiah Burroughs writes on The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, and Ryken explains the inner spiritual quality of contentment as being more than a cheerful temperament that arises from external comforts. Morever, it is an act of worship – attainable by exercising faith in the goodness of God.

Classic Christian Writing

I was also pleased to read new writings. Although a fan of Whitefield, I had never read The Care of the Soul Urged as the One Thing Needful. Ryken points out Whitefield’s urgency, and his method of speaking in a life-or-death manner. His message is easy to grasp, complete in coverage, and winsome in simplicity. Finally, Ryken underscores Whitefield’s directness – and I am compelled to speak and write with these qualities in mind.

This book is a beautiful devotional, with insights into what makes classic Christian writing. It will draw your gaze upward, inspire you to work for the Lord, all the while resting your heart in his.

I received a media copy of The Heart in Pilgrimage and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.