I enjoyed the last post and your comments about books. Chase brought up something in the 11th comment that I would like to comment on. Chase says that this friend should take more than 5 books. I agree. However, I have been doing a lot of thinking about books lately (that post came out of my thinking). There is no end to the reading of good Christian books. One could never read most of the good books, much less all of them.
So, what should we do? Stop reading? Hide away in the library and read all day long? Neither of these two options would honor our Lord.
I want to hear your thoughts, but let me tell you what I have been convicted to do. I have been convicted to master a small handful of really great books. Reading books is great. But mastering books is ideal. Here is the honest truth: I spend a lot of time reading good books and not enough time studying great books.
Question: Would you rather take and master the 5 books you recommended or would you rather take 100 books and read them all?
11 comments:
I have been convicted about going slow through books so that I can really try to apply what I am reading. It seems like when I read several books at a time or studies, I can't apply all that I learn and it becomes knowledge....the fear of James 1 sets in. There is also such a huge variety of books on different topics, that I had to limit myself to 5. (also encouraged by Liz George to do so) to become an expert in 5 areas. Only do studies and read books on those five areas....here are mine-
1. God's attributes
2. Prayer
3. women (being a godly wife/mom and women in the scripture)
4. discipleship
5. Christian living (put offs, put ons)
So I guess my answer is that I would much rather master 5 books or books on my 5 areas than to read all of the books ever printed!
Jonathan, great time to bring in C.S. Lewis' encouragement to read old books!
The previous post was specifically for a person who had not read much. I wouldn't throw John Owen in their suitcase just yet.
However, here would be the list for myself if I had a few years to study 5 books (not including complete works):
1. Temptation and Sin (vol 6) by Owen
2. The Institutes by Calvin
3. Bondage of the Will by Luther
4. Religious Affections by Edwards
5. Freedom of the Will by Edwards
I would agree and stand corrected. I had to read Desiring GOd three or four times the first time I grabbed it. A few good books mastered woould be excellent!
Justin, What would it be if you could pick 2 theology, one Christian Living, One biography, and one literary classic?
Chase, are you refering to the list I would take or the list I would recommend our friend to take on his/her vacation?
And, what do you mean by "literary classic"? Do you mean a secular work of literature like Shakesphere?
Yes, I would love to hear both. Secular like shakespeare, or Christian like Bunyan- either way you want to go.
I asked Sam to weigh in.
These are the books with the most lasting impact in his life to date. The first two are having an abiding result in him--creating equal light and heat.
1. Brown Bear, Brown Bear
2. 8 Silly Monkeys
3. Go Dog! Go!
4. Numbers--1,2,3.
5. Dr. Suess's Alphabet
Rob, obviously Sam has not been exposed to the real classics yet. Karis' list would look like this:
1. Most of All Jesus Loves Me by Noel Piper
2. Always Near Me (an exposition of Psalm 139)
3. My Puppy Pals (featuring Calvin's family)
4. Thank You Prayer
5. Brown Bear, Brown Bear
Chase, tough question. I'm certainly not the one to ask about literary works. I lack proper appriciation for literature. However, I do enjoy Pilgrim's Progress. Honestly, that is probably the only work of its kind I have ever read.
The others would be the same as I have listed in this and the previous post.
Have your kids not read Goodnight Moon?
Yea, we have Goodnight Moon but we try to read deeper books like My Puppy Pals.
Besides, never in Scripture are we encouraged to talk to the Moon. That book probably came out of the pagan worship of the objects in the sky.
"There's a Wocket in my Pocket" is much more to my taste.
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