Have you ever used the phrase “according to Hoyle?” For instance, someone might say, “According to Hoyle, I’m dressed perfectly and precisely for this event.” Or, you might be discussing how to do a particular project and you would say, “I did this according to Hoyle.”
Who is Hoyle?
The honor belongs to an English barrister named Edmond Hoyle (1672-1769). Evidently, he enjoyed board games and card games – but only if the rules were followed. As we know, every card came has “house” rules, ways the game is played in that particular home. Hoyle wasn’t impressed by this. He wanted to make sure that there was a standard for games written down so that everybody played by the same rules.
“Hoyle’s Short Treatise on the Game of Whist included not only the rules, but gave many insights into how to win at the game. In view of that it was sought after but, due to the high price of one guinea, many illegal copies circulated. Genuine copies bore the qualifying statement ‘No copies of this book are genuine but what are signed by Edmond Hoyle and Thomas Osborne’. The esteem in which genuine ‘Hoyles’ were held no doubt added to the book’s reputation as being the only true source of definitive facts concerning the game. Hoyle wrote several other books on cards and other pastimes.”1
When we say that something is “according to Hoyle,” we are saying that the rules,
directions, or established standards have been followed precisely. This literary device is slowly becoming obsolete, though. After all, it’s been about 300 years since Hoyle was around to tell us how to play the games. And, with everyone wanting to put a new spin on an old game, it seems that there’s not much desire to do anything by a set standard. Just look at how many different versions of Uno there are!
As a Christian, we don’t do things according to Hoyle. We are to do things according to the Holy Word! God has written down His “rules” – His guidance, direction, and commands in the inspired text of Scripture. There isn’t a set of rules for this group or that group. God’s Word applies equally to everyone.
Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” And the Psalmist reminds us in Psalms 119:89, “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.”
There’s nothing wrong with altering the rules to your favorite games. It takes an old game and makes it new. But we are not allowed to do that with God’s Word. Leave it alone! God doesn’t need an update or need us to make Him relevant!
“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” (Proverbs 30:5)
1https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/according-to-hoyle.html
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