A Christian Guide to Loving Books

Tony Reinke's Lit! A Christian Guide to Reading Books is a very good book on a far too neglected subject. Let's be honest. Not many of us have thought deeply about the importance of reading good books. And, not many of us have a strategy for a lifetime of reading good books. With so many books available, which books should we buy and read, and which books should we avoid? Reinke is here to help.

Lit! is divided into 2 sections: (1) A Theology of Books and Reading and (2) Some Practical Advice on Book Reading.

The first section is helpful because it lays a foundation for how to view books and why we should spend precious time reading books. Reinke makes clear that we should read all books in light of the one authoritative book (the Bible). He rehearses the gospel and makes sure we are shaped by a Biblical worldview.

The second section was most helpful and challenging to me. Some of my favorite chapters include: Six Priorities That Decide What Books I Read (and Don't Read), 20 Tips and Tricks for Reading Nonfiction Books, Six Ways to Find (and Protect) the Time You Need to Read Books, How Internet Habits Cripple Book Reading, and The Fine Art of Defacing Books with Pencils, Pens, and Highlighters.

A few of the practical issues that Lit! addresses:

-Which books to avoid.

-The benefits of reading "non-Christian" books.

-The benefits of reading fiction.

-The drawbacks of e-reading devices.

-Why and how to mark up a book with permanent ink.

-Reading in groups.

-Raising kids who love to read.

If you are serious about making the most of your reading, you should read this book. Or, if you have a long list of excuses for why you don't read, you should read this book.

You can get Lit! for 40% off at WTS books.

Top 15 Books of 2010

Here is how I would rank the top 15 books published in 2010 (that I read). It was very difficult to put the top 3 in order. They are really 1A, 1B, and 1C. While I put For the Fame of God's Name first (because of the incredible wealth of helpful stuff in it), I would actually recommend that you read #2 and #3 first.

1. For the Fame of God's Name: Essays in Honor of John Piper by Storms and Taylor.

2. Dug Down Deep by Josh Harris

3. Radical by David Platt

4. Hebrews Pillar Commentary by PT O'Brien

5. Think by John Piper

6. Church Planting is for Wimps by Mike Mckinley

7. Rescuring Ambition by Dave Harvey

8. What is the Gospel? by Greg Gilbert

9. The Shepherd Leader by Timothy Witmer

10. Scandalous by DA Carson

11. It is Well by Dever and Lawrence

12. Marks of the Messenger by Mack Stiles

13. Church Planter by Darrin Patrick

14. Be Still, My Soul, edited by Guthrie

15. The Archer and the Arrow by Phillip Jensen

Tips for Reading Well

Here are a few tips for growing in your ability to read:

• Learn to mark up your books - Outline, underline, index, highlight, summarize, and do whatever else it takes to engage a book. Always read with a pen in hand. You are not just passing your eyes over a page. You are engaging with the book.
• Set reading goals for yourself - He who fails to plan, plans to fail. If you don't plan to read good books, you won't.
• Don't just buy books, build a library - A library is a place to go for helpful information. Build a library of different types of resources that you can rely on when you need good information.
• Vary your reading between old and new books - CS Lewis counseled us to read an old book after ever new book. This is wise counsel indeed.
• Read only the best books - There is simply not enough time to read a bunch of second-rate stuff. Read what has stood the test of time. Read what people you trust say is good.
• Utilize "free" moments by reading - Always have a book with you. If you utilize the "free" moments of your day by reading a few pages in a good book, you will be able to read a lot more.
• Be willing to stop reading a book that is unhelpful - It feels good to finish a book. However, if the book is unhelpful, it is a waste of time. Swallow your pride and just put the book back on the shelf.
• Don't be discouraged if you don't remember most of what you read - Here is what John Piper has said:

“What I have learned from about twenty-years of serious reading is this. It is sentences that change my life, not books. What changes my life is some new glimpse of truth, some powerful challenge, some resolution to a long-standing dilemma, and these usually come concentrated in a sentence or two. I do not remember 99% of what I read, but if the 1% of each book or article I do remember is a life-changing insight, then I don’t begrudge the 99%.”

Benefits Good Books Bring

When asked, "What does reading good books accomplish in your life?" here are a few benefits that came to mind:

• Reading good books cultivates humility and teachability. It says, "I have not yet arrived."
• Reading good books cultivates affections for the Savior.
• Reading good books is often the means of understanding the Scripture better.
• Reading good books sharpens our minds (helps us think).
• Reading good books exposes us to truths that we would have never considered on our own.
• Reading good books challenge us to obey God in particular ways.
• Reading good books helps us grow in godliness.

What else would you add?

On Reading Good Books

These posts by Tony Reinke are a gold mine of rich treasures for those who want to grow in their ability to read. As the new year approaches, read through these posts for inspiration to read well in 2011.

A Tour of the Office/Study (in pictures)

I've been wanting to give you a tour of my study for a few years now. For the 2 of you who care, here you go:

This is what you will see when you walk in the door. I've got a great window that allows plenty of sunlight and access to all sorts of birds and creatures that don't know I'm watching them.

I always put the commentaries of the book I'm preaching through right on my desk for easy access. We are doing a summer series through Psalms right now.

I've turned my closet into a prayer closet. This is a custom prayer bench I had made about 5 years ago. I have a copy of our church prayer directory there and try to pray through it twice a month.

I have my books arranged in categories. The left shelf is biographies, preaching, bible study, theology, marriage, etc. The other left shelves are arranged alpha by author. The 2 right shelves are all my commentaries arranged by book of the Bible.

A closer view of one of the shelves. Works of Owen and Bunyan.

The commentary shelves are directly across from my desk.

These pictures are the most popular aspect of my office. They are clearly visible when you walk in and everyone wants to guess who they are. Top: Calvin and Luther. Bottom: Edwards and Tyndale.

The Piper shelf (that is no longer able to hold all my Piper books).

Books on the Cross, the church, and Piper overflow.

Our church covenant signed by the first members of Christ Baptist.

And no office is complete without a "snack drawer." This is my kids' favorite part of my office.


So, what do you think? What am I missing?

A Gaggle of New Books

Here are just some of the notable new books available:

1. Scandalous: The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus by DA Carson
2. When I Am Afraid: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from Fear and Anxiety by Ed Welch
3. The Biblical Counseling Movement by David Powlison
4. The Masculine Mandate: God's Calling to Men by Richard Phillips
5. Be Still My Soul: Embracing God's Purpose and Provision in Suffering edited by Nancy Guthrie
6. A Sincere and Pure Devotion to Christ by Sam Storms (2 Volumes on 2 Cor.)
7. The Church and the Surprising Offense of God's Love by Jonathan Leeman

Reflections on Reading in 2009

At the beginning of 2009, I set a goal of reading 50 books in a year. So, I kept track of my reading. I'm glad to say that by the grace of God, I read 50 whole books this year. The last book I finished was the Bible (does that not count as 66 books?).

Actually, I read a whole lot more than just 50 books. I also read parts of commentaries on John, 1 John, Daniel, James, Micah, and a lot of Spurgeon sermons. And, I read blogs, websites, newspapers, and countless books to my kids (not as many as my wife though).

Surprisingly, I don't feel like I have read very much this year. There were many times I didn't feel like reading. I am grieved by how much time I have wasted this year. I am grieved by how little I retain from reading and how little I actually apply to my life. Don't be impressed by my reading. Be impressed by the guy who reads one book well and applies its truth to his life.

Readers, I hope I have served you in some small way this year by pointing you to God-centered, Christ-exalting, Bible-saturated books. I hope to continue to do so.

Happy New Year!