Choosing Good Books
My earlier article – “Good Books & Good Thinking”– was based on Philippians 4:8 where we have a good word that is applicable to reading:
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”
Much is at stake in our attention to the whole section starting at verse 4 and ending at verse 9. Paul tells us to rejoice in the Lord (4:4). He counsels us to turn our worries and fears into prayer requests (4:6). The peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus as we follow these commands. And it’s all dependent on how we engage our thoughts, what we are looking for in life, and whether or not we devote ourselves to the very best (4:8). Paul loved books. He told Timothy: “When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments” (2 Tim. 4:13). The selection of books to choose from is enormous. Truth and godliness are on the line in what we read and digest. Allow me to suggest three issues for consideration: SELECTION, DIGESTION, & VALUATION.
The first issue in regard to our reading is the selection of the book. It is important to stop at the outset and remember, however, that in the Bible we have a divine selection of 66 books which is the only sure guide to salvation and sanctification. God has selected these books for us and they are our daily manna. As Christ’s disciples we devote ourselves to the daily, systematic, devotional reading and study of God’s word. As important as good reading is, the reading of all other books is subordinate to the Bible. So when we contemplate buying, borrowing, and reading any other book, we must consider why we are selecting a particular book and whether or not we should read it, and how it can support our divinely mandated reading of the Bible.
Either we make these selections ourselves, or we are influenced by others. As in any other area of modern life, marketing is a major factor in influencing people to buy books. This is why it is best to find trusted sources for book recommendations. Trusted spiritual leaders in the church, discerning family and friends are among the best sources for advice. We need to be cautious about books sold in local Christian bookstores whose target readership is broad. Be mindful that not every Christian book catalogue that comes to you is a trustworthy source of making selections for you. One prominent book distributor markets the works of Karl Barth on its cover page. That is not good reading! Not every book seller is concerned about putting the best works into their reader’s hands. They often just want to sell. Since I am writing for Trinity Book Service, I want to say that I highly value their recommendations and encourage the readers to do the same. And there are many other distributors and book publishers who sift through all the lesser things to offer the best, such as The Banner of Truth, Solid Ground, Evangelical Press, Reformation Heritage, and others.
There are two criteria in our selection of books: need and desire. The first question to ask is: What books should I be reading right now? And the second is: What books look good to me? I suggest that we develop a healthy balance between these two criteria. First, consider what areas of life and knowledge are important for you to grow in at this point in your pilgrimage. Do you need to learn more about an area of doctrine such as the Trinity, the atonement, the grace of God, Biblical inerrancy, etc? Is now the time to learn more about church history? Do you need to learn more about biblical interpretation to help you better understand the Bible? Would you benefit by reading a commentary on a particular book of the Bible which you are studying? But the other question simply is: What looks good to me? Here is where a good selection of books from a trustworthy book service or bookstore can help. In God’s providence a book comes to your attention which excites your interest. Go for it! And if you are building a basic library for yourself and your family, this kind of acquisition is most welcome. I am always interested in the “new books” (new or reprints) section of a good book service. While I treasure the old books, I am also encouraged by many good new books that are being written today.
Test all things, prove all things (1 Th. 5:21; 1 Jn. 4:1). Be mindful of what you set out to read. Most of us do not have bundles of extra time, so why not read the best things; read the most beneficial things. Not sure? Ask someone who knows about the author you are contemplating reading, or the theology articulated in a particular book. Don’t just assume that you can read anything and not be influenced for ill, or confused or diverted in one way or another. People read books about one author’s supposed 90 minutes in heaven or another’s supposed 30 minutes in hell (highly questionable experiences), when there is so much good out there to read!
The second issue is the digesting of the book we have selected. Now a bad book will certainly give us spiritual indigestion. But a good book will help our digestion and assimilation of God’s truth and providence in history. Paul has a lot to say about the importance of “sound doctrine” in passages like 1 Tim. 4:6, 2 Tim. 4:3, Titus 1:9, and Titus 2:1. In 1 Tim. 4:6 he says: “In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.” In 2 Tim. 4:3 he warns us about defecting from sound doctrine: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires…” Sound doctrine is healthy doctrine. The Greek word used in these passages is from the root which means “to be in good health.” So we want to get healthier, and we want to maintain our spiritual health to persevere in our most holy faith. We’re not interested in bringing on ourselves bouts of confusion or loss of fidelity because we chose the wrong books.
Have you ever turned off a movie that you started to watch because it was not glorifying to God and pure? Good. That was the right thing to do. A similar commitment is needed in our book reading. Sometimes we close the book and say: This book isn’t worth it! There are lots of books out there that get into print just because of name recognition, (while the author doesn’t have much to say or basically repeats what he said in a previous book).
Let me suggest that when we’re digesting a book, we’re looking for edification, encouragement, and enjoyment. Edification relates to the truth content of reading and the care for doctrinal accuracy. Some are called to read error to help defend the truth. But that is a different purpose and that may not be your calling! Encouragement is the fruit of edification. When we are fed and further established in our faith we are motivated to press on. Our will and emotions are strengthened. And good reading will do this for us. Finally, enjoyment is that wonderful blessing which Paul stresses in Phil. 4:8 when he talks about things that are honorable…..pure……lovely…..of good repute….excellent and worthy of praise. Each of these qualities brings joy into our hearts even through good reading.
The final issue in choosing good books relates to value. We’ll call this point the value of good books. We all place a certain value on everything that interests or does not interest us. In Phil. 4:8 Paul is certainly displaying for us what is truly valuable in life. When God’s truth is made clearer in a good book, when the honorable lives of faithful men and women of God are recounted in moving biographical accounts, when godliness, holiness, faithfulness, worship, and Christian service are upheld and commended, there we have valuable books – books worth buying, reading, sharing, and treasuring for the future. Many books become life companions for us and we return to them in the same way that we would turn to a loving friend and counselor for help and encouragement. I suggest that this is an important way to think about books.
As a child of God and disciple of Christ I want to be faithful, and I am sure you do too. Here is what I tell myself I need in order to faithfully persevere to the end: The Bible, the grace of God, the salvation of Christ, the ongoing filling of the Holy Spirit, a biblical local church, faithful pastors, friends who are more godly than me, and sound, stirring books that I can value throughout my pilgrimage to support me in this quest.
Sadly, people today, including many Christians, seek their joy in media entertainments while neglecting the digestion of good books. If God would be pleased to use these articles to renew your love of good books, I will be most grateful. If you would turn off the TV and pick up a good book, you will see good fruit begin to grow in your life and you will be grateful too. If you will begin to take notice of the great selection of edifying, encouraging, and enjoyable reading that is out there, a whole world of growth and godliness will open up to you. So often I find myself saying to people: “you should read that book!” I want to tell as many people as I can about what they are missing when they are ignorant of good books. Don’t let the world of really good books that are out there pass by you. Show an interest, track them down, get a hold of them, and then digest and treasure them. And do it all in the pursuit of Paul’s command in Philippians 4:8.
What good Christian books are you reading?