Resources by Leland Ryken

Dictionary of Biblical Imagery

by Leland Ryken, James C. Wilhoit and Tremper Longman III

Who isn't familiar with the image of God as the Good Shepherd? Some of our most fundamental biblical understandings come to us in the form of images, metaphors, and symbols—pictures that are painted with words in the biblical text. So it's easy to see why an ability to recognize and decode the Bible's many verbal pictures … Read more…

ESV Literary Study Bible

by Leland Ryken and Philip Graham Ryken

Combining thousands of insightful notes with the complete ESV Bible text, the Literary Study Bible helps readers understand God's Word more fully, in all its richness and beauty. It highlights the Bible's story lines, complex characters, historical settings, literary genres, motifs, theological themes, imagery, and important terms, making the Bible c… Read more…

Mobi-The Heart in Pilgrimage: A Treasury of Classic Devotionals on the Christian Life

by Leland Ryken

A Beautiful Collection of 50 Classic Devotionals Christians throughout the ages have written devotionals as a way to bend their souls toward God and teach about him, communicating rich truths and encouraging readers to grow in grace and godliness. In this collection of 50 devotionals and creeds by figures such as Augustine, John Calvin, and Nathaniel Hawthor… Read more…

Beauty and Power of Biblical Exposition: Preaching the Literary Artistry and Genres of the Bible

by Leland Ryken and Douglas Sean O'Donnell

The Sacred Duty and Delight of Handling the Word of God In order to understand, appreciate, and faithfully preach the word of God, pastors must discern the literary nature of the Bible. Instead of just acknowledging the various genres of Scripture, pastors and teachers should allow these genres to influence how the text is approached and communicated. In The… Read more…

Worldly Saints: The Puritans as They Really Were

by Leland Ryken

Narrated by Wayne Campbell

"Ryken's Worldly Saints offers a fine introduction to seventeenth-century Puritanism in its English and American contexts. The work is rich in quotations from Puritan worthies and is ideally suited to general readers who have not delved widely into Puritan literature. It will also be a source of information and inspiration to those who seek a clearer und… Read more…

40 Favorite Hymns for the Christian Year: A Closer Look at Their Spiritual and Poetic Meaning

by Leland Ryken

For generations, Christians have celebrated holidays and seasons with special songs. We all have favorite Christmas carols or Easter hymns, and some of us associate certain hymns with events like Thanksgiving or the New Year. But often we overlook the fact that these familiar songs are also powerful works of devotional poetry. This anthology of gre… Read more…

40 Favorite Hymns on the Christian Life: A Closer Look at Their Spiritual and Poetic Meaning

by Leland Ryken

We treasure hymns for their messages of comfort or conviction, for their associations with beloved brothers and sisters, or for their connection to meaningful events. But many hymns are also powerful works of devotional poetry—displaying levels of artistry that we easily miss when we are simply singing through them. This anthology of great hymns i… Read more…

Scripture and the People of God: Essays in Honor of Wayne Grudem

by R. Kent Hughes, Leland Ryken, John M. Frame, John Piper, C. J. Mahaney, Bruce A. Ware, Sam Storms, Vern S. Poythress, Thomas R. Schreiner, Gregg R. Allison, John DelHousaye, Peter J. Williams, Ray Ortlund, John J Hughes, CJ Mahaney and Jeff T Purswell

Scripture is the foundation for all of Christian life and ministry, but in our current age it is being challenged, doubted, and, in many cases, simply ignored. Wayne Grudem, one of evangelicalism’s best-known theologians and authors, has worked tirelessly throughout his life to demonstrate the necessity, sufficiency, and centrality of Scripture. In his hon… Read more…

Soul in Paraphrase: A Treasury of Classic Devotional Poems

by Leland Ryken

Christians throughout the ages have written poetry as a way to commune with and teach about God, communicating rich truths and enduring beauty through their art. These poems, when read devotionally, provide a unique way for Christians to deepen their spiritual insight and experience. In this collection of over 90 poems by poets such as Emily Dickinson, T. … Read more…

On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books

by Leland Ryken and Karen Swallow Prior

Reading great literature well has the power to cultivate virtue. Great literature increases knowledge of and desire for the good life by showing readers what virtue looks like and where vice leads. It is not just what one reads but how one reads that cultivates virtue. Reading good literature well requires one to practice numerous virtues, such as patience, … Read more…

How to Read the Bible as Literature

by Leland Ryken

Why the Good Book Is a Great Read If you want to rightly understand the Bible, you must begin by recognizing what it is: a composite of literary styles. It is meant to be read, not just interpreted. The Bible’s truths are embedded like jewels in the rich strata of story and poetry, metaphor and proverb, parable and letter, satire and symbolism. Paying atte… Read more…

Literary Introductions to the Books of the Bible

by Leland Ryken

The Bible is more than a collection of ancient stories. It’s actually a unified whole, consisting of carefully crafted pieces of literature, each with its own unique literary style, form, and techniques. In this comprehensive volume, renowned literary expert and Bible scholar Leland Ryken introduces readers to the distinct literary features of each book of… Read more…