Making Careful Choice
Sunday, December 31, 2006 at 07:49PM Richard Baxter (1615-1691):
"Make careful choice of the books which you read: let the holy scriptures ever have the pre-eminence, and, next to them, those solid, lively, heavenly treatises which best expound and apply the scriptures, and next, credible histories, especially of the Church . . . but take heed of false teachers who would corrupt your understandings."
1. As there is a more excellent appearance of the Spirit of God in the holy scripture, than in any other book whatever, so it has more power and fitness to convey the Spirit, and make us spiritual, by imprinting itself upon our hearts. As there is more of God in it, so it will acquaint us more with God, and bring us nearer Him, and make the reader more reverent, serious and divine. Let scripture be first and most in your hearts and hands and other books be used as subservient to it. The endeavors of the devil and papists to keep it from you, doth shew that it is most necessary and desirable to you.
2. The writings of divines are nothing else but a preaching of the gospel to the eye, as the voice preaches it to the ear. Vocal preaching has the pre-eminence in moving the affections, and being diversified according to the state of the congregation which attend it: this way the milk comes warmest from the breast. But books have the advantage in many other respects: you may read an able preacher when you have but a average one to hear. Every congregation cannot hear the most judicious or powerful preachers: but every single person may read the books of the most powerful and judicious; preachers may be silenced or banished, when books may be at hand: books may be kept at a smaller charge than preachers: we may choose books which treat of that, very subject which we desire to hear of; but we cannot choose what subject the preacher shall treat of. Books we may have at hand every day. and hour; when we can have sermons but seldom, and at set times. If sermons be forgotten, they are gone; but a book we may read over and over, till we remember it: and if we forget it, may again peruse it at our pleasure, or at our leisure. So that good books are a very great mercy to the world: the Holy Ghost chose the way of writing, to preserve His doctrine and laws to the 'Church, as knowing how easy and sure a way it is of keeping it safe to all generations, in comparison of mere verbal traditions.
3. You have need of a judicious teacher at hand, to direct you what books to use or to refuse: for among good books there are some very good that are sound and lively; and some good, but mediocre, and weak and somewhat dull; and some are very good in part, but have mixtures of error, or else of incautious, injudicious expressions, fitter to puzzle than edify the weak.
Baxter's Guide To The Value Of A Book
While reading ask oneself:
1. Could I spend this time no better?
2. Are there better books that would edify me more?
3. Are the lovers of such a book as this the greatest lovers of the Book of God and of a holy life?
4. Does this book increase my love to the Word of God, kill my sin, and prepare me for the life to come?
As I think about the year of reading to come, I am reminded again of Richard Baxter's good advice. With each title I consider, I will ask myself again the questions that he poses.
My reading goals for this year have less to do with number of books to be read and more to do with content. I am reading through the New Testament three times using an email Daily Bible reading plan. I am going to continue to read through the Book of Ephesians each week until our small group finishes the study that we began this fall. After that, I will chose another book in the New Testament and read it 20 times. (HT: Carol--I plan on being part of the tiny minority) I am leaning towards Hebrews.
I am almost finished with Marsden's biography of Jonathan Edwards titled, A Life. I can recommend it without reservation. Jonathan Edwards is my favorite theologian. I have read his works extensively and am reasonably familiar with not only his works, but his life in general. A Life does a wonderful job of bringing his works into context with his life. I'm glad I'm reading it.
I haven't read as many bios as I would like, so this year I plan on reading several more. Already waiting on the shelf are Robert Murray M'Cheyne, (a birthday gift from my dear friend, Carol) Martin Luther, William Tyndale, and Richard Baxter's autobiography.
This year I'm also going to start what will likely be a rest-of-my-life reading project. I'll start systematically "educating my mind" by following Susan Wise Bauer's "The Well Educated Mind." I don't know all the books in the series yet (USPS is due to deliver it on or around January 4th--I can't wait!) so I don't know how many I've already read, but I do know that the first book is Don Quixote. Sadly, that book is NOT "waiting on the shelf" so I'll have to get it from the library. That's right; you heard me. I'll be getting it from the library. I've bought more books than I read this year, so I have resolved not to order a new book until I have read one I already have. Use the library when I can. Read one "old" one for the priviledge of ordering one new one. That should free up quite a bit of money in our budget!
I will continue to read at least one sermon per week.
Sounds like a plan, doesn't it?
I looked back over last year's list on Hiraeth Warehouse, such as it is. It was fun remembering some of the books and articles I read-some of which I had forgotten! I'm glad to have my reading blog so readily accessable here on Squarespace. I hope I do a better job of recording my reading in the coming year.
I'd love to talk to you about the books you are reading or discuss some of the books we've read in common.
Happy New Year! Happy Reading!
Reader Comments (2)
Re: obtaining reading material - I like the way you think! Not buying a book until I've read one I've borrowed or already own sounds like a great plan and one that would save me some moolah, too. Does getting one free from a publisher to review count?
And you're going for the 20 times thing? I'm really getting a lot out of it already and I've just started. Should keep me busy for quite a time.
Hi Carol,
I would LOVE to get a book free from the publisher someday! Are you writing a review?
Yes, I have two more times in 3 John and I'll have my first book finished.
After reading the link you provided, I decided that I better start with a small book or two and get used to the discipline before I tackled Hebrews or Romans!
I have learned an incredible amount in that little book. Not to mention what I have learned about discipline, commitment, time management, need for reflection. . .I suspect that I will a great deal about myself as I go through this process of reading the books 20x.
I am not setting any goals as to how long it takes or how fast I move through the books. My only goal is to keep doing it.
I'm glad you're doing it, too! If we start fading in enthusiasm we can encourage one another.