Why write this blog?
I love my church and I don’t mean the building. I mean the people!
I want them to grow in the truth of God’s word.
In our media saturated culture we are being bombarded with so many ideas.The blatantly anti-Christian ones are easy to avoid.
But the subtle, almost Biblical ones slowly change one’s thinking.
I don’t want any of us to be deceived by the philosophies of this age.
As one of your pastors I also have the God-given responsibility to help you grow in godliness.
I want them to grow in the truth of God’s word.
In our media saturated culture we are being bombarded with so many ideas.The blatantly anti-Christian ones are easy to avoid.
But the subtle, almost Biblical ones slowly change one’s thinking.
I don’t want any of us to be deceived by the philosophies of this age.
As one of your pastors I also have the God-given responsibility to help you grow in godliness.
INTRODUCTION:When you are looking for a book to read do you choose books that twist Scriptures to fit your political agenda or ones that show God’s sovereignty?
Do you choose books that pull at your heart strings and make you feel good about yourself or heaven?
Or do you read books that cut to your heart and convict and challenge?
Do you choose books that pull at your heart strings and make you feel good about yourself or heaven?
Or do you read books that cut to your heart and convict and challenge?
How do you pick the books you read? And it is my prayer that you read.
To begin this blog about books I want to recommend a book. Lit! A Christian Guide to Reading Books by Tony Reinke.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES:
Lit! is a great resource book with chapters on tips for reading, Christian imagination, raising readers, marking up your books.
In the chapter Read With Resolve, Reinke gives six priorities for his reading:
- Read Scripture
- Read to know and delight in Christ
- Read to kindle spiritual reflection
- Read to initiate personal change
- Read to pursue vocational excellence
- Read to enjoy a good story
After reading the Scripture every other type of reading should be done in light of Scripture.
This doesn’t mean only read Christian books he goes on to explain some of the benefits of reading non-Christian books.
A couple of these are: highlighting common life experiences; exposing the human heart; capturing beauty; begging questions that can only be resolved in Christ.
This doesn’t mean only read Christian books he goes on to explain some of the benefits of reading non-Christian books.
A couple of these are: highlighting common life experiences; exposing the human heart; capturing beauty; begging questions that can only be resolved in Christ.
With these principles in mind, I want to address some of my concerns in contemporary Christian literature.
THE FUTURE AND HEAVEN ARE REALLY POPULAR:
The future and heaven are always very hot topics.
Books using one Old Testament verse or story from Scripture to explain what is wrong with America and what is going to happen here is NOT what scripture is for.
Old Testament prophecies were given to bring God the glory that He so rightfully deserves. In our day, we use these same prophecies to fit the United States into scripture or to discover some kind of hidden secret knowledge.
If someone writes a book and has to explain why he is the first person to see this in the Bible, it is not a book worth reading.
Books using one Old Testament verse or story from Scripture to explain what is wrong with America and what is going to happen here is NOT what scripture is for.
Old Testament prophecies were given to bring God the glory that He so rightfully deserves. In our day, we use these same prophecies to fit the United States into scripture or to discover some kind of hidden secret knowledge.
If someone writes a book and has to explain why he is the first person to see this in the Bible, it is not a book worth reading.
Books about individuals near death or death experiences in heaven or hell put peoples experience at or near the authority of scripture. These books usually present extra-biblical details about heaven. Bottomline: Heaven is about God and Jesus.
I smile when people say “I cannot wait to get to heaven because I will see so and so” or “I cannot wait to get to heaven because I have some questions for him.”
I smile when people say “I cannot wait to get to heaven because I will see so and so” or “I cannot wait to get to heaven because I have some questions for him.”
THE SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE IS QUESTIONED:
Books that seem to place the writer’s word at an authoritative level need to be carefully examined. Scripture is God’s word and our authority. Anything that tries to add to God’s word, whether written as journal, poem, song or fictional story needs to be avoided.
SOME ONLINE RESOURCES RELATED TO DISCERNMENT:
By Gary Gilley
www.svchapel.org/resources/book-reviews
www.svchapel.org/resources/book-reviews
Tim Challies
www.discerningreader.com
www.challies.com
I have included three specific Tim Challies reviews.
I choose these three books because they have been best sellers for an extended period of time.
Review of Heaven is for Real: www.challies.com/book-reviews/heaven-is-for-real
Review of Harbinger: www.challies.com/book-reviews/the-ancient-mystery-that-holds-the-secret-of-americas-futureReview of Jesus Calling: www.challies.com/book-reviews/jesus-calling
www.discerningreader.com
www.challies.com
I have included three specific Tim Challies reviews.
I choose these three books because they have been best sellers for an extended period of time.
Review of Heaven is for Real: www.challies.com/book-reviews/heaven-is-for-real
Review of Harbinger: www.challies.com/book-reviews/the-ancient-mystery-that-holds-the-secret-of-americas-futureReview of Jesus Calling: www.challies.com/book-reviews/jesus-calling
Josh Harris (a message on discernment)
http://www.sovereigngracestore.com/Product/A2270-01-51/Discernment_MP3_DOWNLOAD.aspx
http://www.sovereigngracestore.com/Product/A2270-01-51/Discernment_MP3_DOWNLOAD.aspx
While I (Pastor Dave) have written this specific blog, I know it is the prayer of each pastor to see members of Emmanuel Baptist Church grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Reading good books help in this process.
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