Categories for Reading
Reading is indispensable. I remember when I was in seminary and how often I was required to read books which I otherwise would not find any interest. Those of us who have had the pleasure (and distress :-) of being in class with Dr. Frank James will testify to the large stack of books and extensive reading assignments Dr. James would require. Dr. James reminded us that RTS was not our mother's seminary. We had work to do. We had reading to do. I recall once looking over the reading assignments for one of James' class and saying to myself, "I can't wait to get out of seminary so I can read what I want to read."
Since leaving seminary, I believe I enjoy reading more than I did before I went. I believe partly it is because I did not enjoy some of the books I read in seminary. Or maybe it is because Dr. James caused me to not judge a book by its cover, but to read on. So today I may be a better reader for it. In fact, I have come to categorize my reading so that I am at least reading three books all the time. Usually it is more, better never less than three. The three categories in which I list my reading are: 1) Reading for Proclamation; 2) Reading for Sanctification; 3) Reading for Edification.
Before I briefly explain these categories let me give this brief caveat. These categories are not static. To read for proclamation will inevitably also be for sanctification and edification. And to read for sanctification is in many ways reading for edification and proclamation. Nevertheless, it is helpful for me to make sure that I have at least one book at all times in each category.
1. Reading for Proclamation. Here is the reading that is directly related to a present sermon or series preparation. Here I will find myself reading biblical commentaries as well as sermons and books on certain topics or issues within the text under consideration. For example, we are currently preaching through the Sermon on the Mount on Sundays at church. For this I am reading The Sermon on the Mount by James Boice, The Sermon on the Mount by Dan Doriani, The Message of the Sermon on the Mount by John Stott (I am also referencing quite a few other works).
2. Reading for Sanctification. Here are the books that could be labeled as Continuing Education. To be ever growing in the knowledge and wisdom of God is often the result of reading good books. Here I find books to read because I want to read them and they grow me up, build me up in the holy faith. Currently I am reading, Pages from Church History by Stephen J. Nichols.
3. Reading for Edification. Here are books that usually have not direct connection to my faith; I just enjoy certain categories of reading, namely history and biography. These books are for my own personal enjoyment, to debate with the author in my mind, and to expand my understanding of the world and myself. In this category I will often get books on tape or CD. For example, my favorite historian to read is Stephen Ambrose. Not too long ago I finished listening to his work on Undaunted Courage. Currently I am listening to Overthrown by Stephen Kinzer.
As you might have ascertained, this list is not static. I pray that all my reading would make me a better person, Christian, and preacher. Thus I pray that all my reading would ultimately be in the most important category of all: To glorify God (1Cor. 10:31) What is your reading like these days?