I love it when I find a book whose author resonates with me or vibrates with creativity. Style. Content. Vocabulary. And especially – creativity.
But most of all I look for veracity. Does the author’s theme measure up to the incomparable Words of God, and is his or her premise verified by God’s words as his or her book or essay unfolds? In the relativistic soup in which we exist false advice and relativistic “truth” proliferates.
It is not that I read a book or author looking for things I disagree with, but I surely must triangulate between the Word, my tested world view, and the accuracy and consistency of any insights or postulations. When something of questionable soundness is mentioned, I fold the edge of that page to highlight it. After 3 of these I am wary, and after 5 or 6 I dump the book. Harsh?
Both of Paul’s pupils Timothy and Titus were taught to sift everything through the grid of sound teaching. What we read should always line up with the “God beauty of God truth.” Solid and true.
The Word Is Life-Giving And Nourishes Us
“In pointing out these things to the brothers, 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.” – 1 Timothy 4:6 I look for books and stories that build me up.
Myths Are Powerful and Rob Us of Value
“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 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, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.” – 2 Timothy 4:1-4 Just because someone says something is true does not make it so.
Sound Teaching Makes Us Solid and Successful
“…holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict…But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.” – Titus 1:9, 2:1 The foundations by which we live define our lives – the very choices of our success.
This Is Because:
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16,17 It is not much of a goal to strive for inadequacy. I must be a man ready to learn – not just with words of affirmation but also words of truth.
Bottom line? I read critically and carefully. And I avoid crap like the plague. Just saying. (the three C’s) If you can’t trust an author’s core, how can you trust his or her words? It seems to me this applies to education, politics, medicine, corporate life, and church-life as well.
Reading in Solomon’s Ecclesiastes 12:11-14 the other day I noticed:
“The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd. But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body. The conclusion, when all has been heard: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.” (You will have to research goads for yourself). It made me think about how we are information rich (podcasts, books, video et al) yet painfully falling short on depth of thought. We try to pay attention to meditation over consumption.
Dave and Burnadette 🙂
Here is a series of reviews of solid books that are good for the heart. Enjoy!
Blessed Are the Misfits
Forgiveness
The Slight Edge
The Return of the Gods
The Unseen Realm
God’s Man/God’s Woman: Making It Count
Curious Journey
Kingdom
Mentored by God
Turbulence of Imperfection
A Story About A King