Reasons for Reading

By Tony Carter on April 16th, 2007 | Keywords:

Those in my generation might recall the campaign RIF or Reading is Fundamental. It was the governments way of encouraging young and old people in the erstwhile pursuit of reading. It insisted that at the heart of a well rounded education was the desire, even the love, for reading. We can all agree that the old Uncle Sam got this one right. Reading is fundamental. And it is no where more fundamental than in the gospel ministry.

 

 You show me a preacher who is not regularly reading or at least listening to others read, and I will show you a preacher who has little to nothing to preach. Give him a bucket and let him retire to the beach. Those who would be faithful in their discharge of duties will find a regular and growing appetite for books, beginning with the Bible. Here are six reasons I believe all Christians, particularly preachers, should be avid readers:

 

Six Reasons Why Christians (preachers) Should Be Avid Readers

 

1. It is the primary means through which God has chosen to communicate to his people. The fact that the principle revelation of God to his people is the written word should not be lost to us. It reveals not only that we are intellectual beings, expected to reason and rationally assess logically communicated data, but it also demonstrates the primacy of written communication. Reading demonstrates our God given ability to reason and puts us in a better mind to access the Word of God. Not only is the special revelation (Bible) of God better understood through reading, so too is general revelation (nature) better understood through reading those who have written on the natural order of things.

 

2. It broadens our perspective. Reading tends to make us more rounded. One of the most dangerous tendencies among conservative Christians is to become intellectually ingrown. That is, we tend to read only that with which we are comfortable - that which confirms our beliefs. While this is good, we must see the value of openly assessing other opinions and allowing ourselves to be stretched intellectually. And while we are not called to agree with our enemies, we are called to love our enemies. Loving our enemies entails understanding them. Furthermore, since all truth is God's truth, we should not be afraid of the truth wherever it may be found.

 

3. It encourages our creativity. More so than anyone else, Christians should be people given to creative expression. Unfortunately, we are usually lagging behind in creative ventures. Yet, our God is a creative God. All around us is evidence of the beauty and pleasure with which God created the worlds. An appreciation for creative beauty in art, music, and literature is an expression of God himself. Subsequently, when we expose ourselves to creative literature we not only gain an appreciation for God's common grace, but it will also give us inspiration to express the legitimate use of our God-glorifying imaginations. The adage continues to be true, "If you want to write better, become a better reader."

 

4. It strengthens our confidence. Too often Christians are discouraged from engaging in the exchange of ideas because we do no feel confident in addressing varying subjects. Yet, Christians should be the most diverse. Again, since all truth is God's truth, we must seek to engage the truth wherever it may be had. Indeed, we are to speak the truth in love, but we should also speak it boldly because we have the confidence of being versed in a variety of subjects through the knowledge acquired through varied readings. Confidence comes with knowledge. Therefore, Christians should be the most confident because our Lord is the source of all knowledge.

 

5. It gives us a sense of accomplishment. One of the greatest benefits to seeing a task through to completion is the satisfaction of knowing that an assignment is finished. We are reminded that whatever we do in word or deed, we are to do it "wholeheartedly" unto the Lord. Most of us are aware when we have done something wholeheartedly or not. A task wholeheartedly completed not only gives us satisfaction, it glorifies God. Subsequently, reading a book to completion not only gives us the full range of information intended by the author, it more importantly glorifies God.

 

6. It heightens our communion of the saints. One of the lost treasures of modern Christianity is its connection with the past. If our faith is a mile wide and an inch deep, it is largely due to our inadequate understanding of the faith once and for all delivered to the saints. Yet, if we would become readers of the Christian classics and embrace the reflections of those who walked with God in times past, it would enhance our present sojourn because we would be more aware that we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.

 

Comments

Kevin Guillory

April 18, 2007

I remember the Reading is Fundamental program when I was in the 7th grade. It brings back fond memories. I like your site and bookmarked it. I'll be coming back for more reading, education, and feeding. 1

Thabiti Anyabwile

April 20, 2007

Excellent encouragements brother. So, do you have a specific plan or approach to organizing your reading? What are you working through currently? T- 2

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