Robert Lowery

Photo by Mor (bcnbits)

God likes books. . . He is a compulsive writer, and he wants us to be compulsive readers!

Jesus liked books; he even asked a group of scholars on one occasion: "Have you not read?" (Matt. 19:4). As a child growing up in first century Galilee, Jesus would have learned how to read (Yes, Jesus did not enter this world fully equipped to read! See Luke 2:52.) As he attended school at the synagogue, the rabbis would have used Leviticus as a first grade primer, so to speak. Why Leviticus? Because of its two themes: Our God is a holy God and he calls us to be a holy people. Another reason is its repetition of vocabulary.

Paul liked books. One of my favorite verses is his request of Timothy recorded in II Tim. 4:13 — "When you come, bring . . . my scrolls, especially the parchments."

Even the apostle John refers to the importance of books — See Rev. 5:4 and 10:9-10. He refers to one of the most important books that will ever be read, someday by God himself (Rev. 20:11ff.; see also Rev. 3:5, a not-so-subtle-threat that one’s name can be removed from that book of life!) The book of Revelation is to be read, not sealed up (Rev. 22:10). The verse links up with Rev. 1:3 where there is the assumption that the book will be read aloud and obeyed.

I like books. No–I love books! "So many books, so little time," I read on a sweatshirt in a bookstore one day. How true! It is easy for me to say "Amen" to a statement by the eighteenth century English critic, Holbrook Johnson: "Books are food, libraries of so many dishes of meat, served out for several palates. . . . We eat them from love or necessity, as other foods, but most from love."

I read out of necessity. I also read out of love for truth and grace. God’s books balance grace and truth, always.

It started with my little read reading book entitled We Look and See by William S. Gray, et al. I was graduated from red to blue to yellow to green. I loved the adventures of Dick, Jane, Baby, Spot, Puff, Tim, and a cast of other characters.

I truly believe that reading is fun and that reading is fundamental for my growth as a Christian.

I am often asked related questions: How do I read? What and whom do I read? When do I find time to read?

Let me ramble. . .

I read constantly and persistently. I am addicted to reading. If I am waiting in a restaurant and my companion is late, I will read anything I can get my eyes on. If I am waiting in someone’s kitchen or living room, I will read what is tacked to the side of the refrigerator or what is on the coffee table. If I am waiting in line at Wal Mart, I will scan the news magazines (without picking them up!) . . . Just the other day I was in the local pharmacy waiting for a prescription to be filled, and I found myself reading medicine labels . . . If I am waiting at a railroad crossing, if I don’t have a book or magazine in the car, I will read the graffiti on the sides of the rail cards . . .

I read at least a book a week, while having around ten to twelve books going at the same time. Why? Because if I am not interested in one subject (a book on photography, perhaps), perhaps I am interested in another (the latest novel by John Grisham or Daniel Silva).   I can only recall starting one book in the last thirty years and not finishing it. I persist, even if a volume may take me over a year to complete.

I read critically and freely. I am not afraid to take on new authors or subjects. Mortimer Adler’s book, How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading has had an incredible impact on m y life. It challenged me to stretch myself, to be moved out of my comfort zone by reading new authors and exploring new subjects. I am not afraid to evaluate what I read. Just because a book has been published doesn’t mean that it is good or even true or accurate. You don’t simply embrace all that is read but you engage. Engagement is a prerequisite for embracement or rejection. Engage before you embrace or exclude.

I want to give a word of caution. I believe there is too much Christian "lite" reading by Christian readers. I would rather read a book by Henri Nouwen than a book by John Maxwell or even George Barna. To me, there is a theological depth, a Biblical undergirding found in Nouwen that is not found in a Maxwell or a Barna. I would rather read Eugene Peterson’s Reversed Thunder: The Praying Imagination of St. John a thousand times than one page from The Left Behind series. If the Lord tarries, a hundred years from now, Peterson will still be read when no one, absolutely no one, will be reading Jenkins and LaHaye!

I read widely and narrowly. I am almost, almost, convinced that it is a sin to read only "sacred" or "Christian" literature. Years ago I was taught that "All truth is God’s truth"–no matter who says it , no matter where it is found, no matter when it was written. Novels, for example, mirror our culture, our times. Theology is found in more than just theology books! Read the latest Stephen King novel and you surely are struck with the notion that the man is searching for something to give perspective to the evil and the good at work in our world.

I read at least one book each year in each of the areas that our seminary offers majors in–Bible, Theology, History, Counseling, World Mission, Education, Worship, etc. In reading so widely I find that connecting points, bridges, networking–whatever metaphor you want to use–takes place. One area informs another area.

Of course, I read narrowly. I am a specialist in the area of New Testament studies, and yet I read in the Old Testament more and more because I cannot undertand the former without a knowledge of the latter.

More in Part II

For more on Dr. Lowery’s reading habits, see the previously-posted Reflections on My Bible Reading Habits.

Tags: books, reading, recommendations