Church bulletin:
Reading is a practice we should seek to cultivate. It is possible to meditate upon God’s truth without reading – listening to sermons, singing hymns and engaging in conversations all help to invigorate meditation. Nevertheless, for Christians who are literate and have access to Bibles and good books, they would be foolish not to read for themselves. Just as Augustine famously heard the words, “Tolle Lege”, so we should “take up and read.” In Ecclesiastes 12:12 Solomon provides an interesting insight when it comes to reading, “………of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.” Even in Solomon’s day, the “books” were pouring off the scribe’s desk just as they pour off the printing press in our day.
A few thoughts on Christian books and reading.
Being bookish does not equate to being godly. The old saying goes, ‘cleanliness is next to godliness.’ It may be closer to the make for some Christians, ‘bookishness is next to godliness.’ If we are not ploughing through many books, we do not take faith seriously. As already indicated, it is important to read, however, there has been and will continue to be studious Christian readers who completely lack wisdom and even commit catastrophic sins. Reading itself does not guarantee godliness, maturity or fruitfulness in God’s kingdom. In all the reading you get through, the question must be asked, what is it doing for you? the Bible never commends knowledge for the sake of knowledge, in fact, warns against it.
Reading should not be a substitute for thinking. When it comes to understanding God’s Word, we are most certainly helped by commentaries and other books. Use them to assist, not to be relentlessly spoon fed by the thoughts of other people. We should seek the ministry of the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of truth) to enlighten us as we engage directly with the truth. Surely, there is much that is understandable and beneficial without the mediation of other people over every jot and tittle. In this sense, reading can actually be an excuse for people too lazy to think through a passage for themselves.
Reading should not be a substitute for doing. It is possible to read copious amounts while being practically impotent. Bookish people can tend to get lost in the pages which occupy them. Theirs is a world of contemplation rather than application. There must be both. The trajectory of scripture is always – from doctrine to application; this is what you are to believe, this is how you are to live. James does not say, faith without reading is dead, but faith without works is dead. Read….think….do.
Too much study is wearisome and perhaps unnecessary. The pursuit of knowledge can be all consuming and overwhelming. There is always something else to learn, another book on the market. I sometimes wonder how many more Spurgeon biographies are necessary. How much more analysis of his life and ministry do we need? How much more can we learn and to what end? Christian publishing has become an empire catering for every conceivable taste and interest. While we welcome new books, is there a danger that some Christians end up with bloated heads and impoverished hearts? Is the proliferation of books producing better Christians? Probably not.
The ability to read is a gift we must not neglect. Ticking off a reading list, however, may be of little value and a source of pride. The availability of books is a blessing we must not neglect. A well-stocked library, however, may have no more benefit than a well-stocked trophy cabinet.