Reading as a Christian Discipline Survey
Thursday, February 1, 2007 at 08:27AM Reading is an important Christian discipline. Further, growth as a Christian disciple is closely tied to the reading of the Bible, as well as worthy Christian books. This is why the Christian church has championed the cause of literacy. It is why the Reformers fought for the translation of the Scriptures into vernacular languages.
A loss of literacy and respect for the book amounts to grave danger for the Christian church.
Dr. Al Mohler
I'd like to open a discussion on the virtues of reading as a Christian Discipline as it relates to blogging and reading blogs. To begin the discussion, I'd like to ask you a few questions:
Has reading Christian blogs increased your desire to tackle weighty Christian tomes?
Have you learned of Christian authors and theologians that you might not have otherwise known or read?
Have you purchased or borrowed books that were recommended by bloggers?
Have you read fewer "real" books as your blog reading has increased?
Has the availability/searchability of great Christian works caused you to rely upon them merely as resources?
Do you think reading the great Christian authors and theologians is important and/or profitable?
Do you read them?
If so, who do you recommend?
For this little survey, I'd like anyone interested to answer on their own blogs and leave me a link in the comments. If you don't have a blog and you want to join in, just copy the questions into the comments and answer them there.
I'll give you my answers--eventually.
Connie from Practicing Theology has her responses posted already! Thanks, Connie! Practicing Theology is a new blog to me and I'm so glad I found it! Why don't you take a few minutes to peruse some of Connie's other posts while you're there?
Pam from a rustling of leaves has her response posted. Another new blog and another recommendation to go check out this new blogger. I just have to share this quote that made me grin:
Have you read fewer "real" books as your blog reading has increased?
No! I am reading more books. I just have had to rearrange my time and given up some sleep time or rise earlier.
A girl after my own heart--she'd rather read than sleep : ) (I failed to mention a great link that Pam provided to her church's list of 100 Christian Books. An excellent list. There's even a PDF file so you can print it out and check off the ones you've read! I've read 28, have 5 on my shelf waiting to be read, and have dipped in and out of 4 others, but haven't read them through.)
I've got a few more to add--the rest of you, keep 'em comin' :
Rosemary, of Seasonings of the Heart, mentions re-reading books in order to "absorb them and be changed through the reading."
My Favorite Finnish Friend, Eija from Invisible Train, had to look up the word "tome" but tells us that blogging lead her back to the most essential, weighty tome ever written, The Bible!
Kim, from the Upward Call, is going to post up her answers once Blogger decides to play nice. MissM is super busy and can't play today, but she's enjoying your responses, so bring 'em on!
Carla, from Reflections of the Times has her answers posted. She recommends the book Pulpit Crimes, by James White of Alpha and Omega Ministries. That's on my "need to read" list.
Hmm. There's another question: How many of you have a "need to read" list?
Beck, from Frog and Toad are Still Friends, left this comment:
"I'm definitely reading more theological books thanks to reading Christian blogs, and I've been introduced to a lot of authors that I wouldn't have heard of otherwise."
Kim managed to weigh in during one of Bloggers more cooperative moments. You can read her responses here. Kim provided some resources for theological/doctrinal books, so be sure to check them out while you're there. Kim also reminds us of another great source for book recommendations:
"I always read the footnotes of books, and honestly, that's where I find many of the books I want to read." Me, too!
Nicki and Catriona, blogmates from titus2talk, from have provided their answers in a color coded post. They point out the value of reading Christian biographies, one of my goals for this year.
Annette, at Fish and Cans reminds us that "not all great learning has stopped, nor has all great writing." Great point; I have noticed some great contemporary authors in the lists, Piper, Begg, Mahaney, Deever, Sproul, and MacArthur, to name a few.
Jules promises to post her answers sometime this week, but for now, she's been busy with the comments section on this post. You're invited to go take a look!
Teresa puts in her "Two Cents" and expands the list to include some of her favorite Catholic theologians and at least one agnostic.
Joy took time out of her busy year end accounting and tax preparations to answer on her blog, JoythruChrist. Joy mentioned enjoying Christian fiction. I haven't read much Christian fiction. Have you? Would you like to recommend a book or an author you've enjoyed?
Rindy, who has only been blogging for a couple of months, says that "reading Christian blogs is an awesome way for a relatively new Christian to dig deeper, hear and think about issues, and definitely get input to books and authors."
Sandi, from A Mother's Musings, has posted her answers. You really must go visit her and see the pink tulip her daughter painted. It's in the sidebar.
Amanda, from Following an Unknown Path, actually went out and bought Spurgeon's devotional, Morning and Evening, based on a quote she read. She also lists a book by Randy Alcorn that is going on my "need to read" list.
Lorna, from See Through Faith, confesses that reading is her "not-so-secret addiction." She echoes a common theme:
Have you read fewer “real” books as your blog reading has increased? No - I think I just sleep less! Book addicts always make time to read you see. The laundry may go untended for days, and we might have a day of semi-fasting because I failed to make it to the store - but it’s rare for the reading not to happen. I read in bed everynight even when I go to bed ‘far too late!’
Reader Comments (21)
Thanks for this idea. I really enjoy your blog. http://arustlingofleaves.blogspot.com/ here is the link to my answers on your questions of the Christian Discipline of Reading.
Blessings to You and Yours!
Mine's posted! http://seasoningsoftheheart.com/wordpress/
I'm looking forward to reading everyone's list! More books!!
I took this challenge too! But I had to dig the word "tome" from a dictionary - I'd never heard it before :D Can't wait for your answers...
Good questions, Kim. I am looking forward to your answers. I am not sure if I will have time to post mine! Things are getting crazy busy down here. The questions are good for reflection though. Thanks for keeping me thinking.
I'm just waiting for my blogmate to answer the questions also. We'll post it tomorrow morning (when you're all sleeping!) ;0
I'll be watching for it, Nicki!
Great questions. I'm definitely reading more theological books thanks to reading Christian blogs, and I've been introduced to a lot of authors that I wouldn't have heard of otherwise.
I am reading slightly less overall, but a lot of my reading before was "junk" reading, so I think that the blogs I've replaced them with are better in quality.
Kim, I hear my boy getting up so I did this fairly quickly. Here's my link. http://ladysown.blogspot.com/2007/01/research-for-kim.html
Kim:
This is a wonderful survey, and very thought-inducing (if that's a word). I'll be posting my response this week.
I also invite all your Reformed theology readers to jump into a discussion on my blog on a post entitled "A Brand New Jesus". Defenders of the faith are needed.
Now I'm off to read everyone's links!
Jules
I'm not sure what I did wrong, but I was sure I left a comment, only to NOT see it after I hit enter. :-) In any event, these were great questions and I posted them along with my answers at my blog, this morning.
OK, we managed to post earlier than expected. Here's the link
http://titus2talk.blogspot.com/2007/01/reading-as-christian-dicipline-survey.html
Hi Carla,
I know what happened! I cross posted this survey on my reading blog since I have some different readers over there.
Jules,
I'll be looking forward to reading your responses!
A good idea.
Mine is up. I have some different authors from the rest.
Great subject!
http://tobysthoughts-jtc.blogspot.com/2007/01/for-love-of-books.html
Regarding Xian fiction, I was encouraged to consider reading Xian "historic" novels back in the late 80's. I recall being VERY skeptical, but ended up giving it a try since our local library carried a large number of them.
Much to my surprise, I found that they served well to whet my appetite for more weighty and meaty Xian non-fiction! AND, my love for history exploded since I barely could recall much of my public school/college history studies.
There are some very enjoyable authors out there with vastly different writing styles! Enjoy--but plan to lose more sleep cause you'll be adding to your "reading list"!! :-)
My answer is...reading Christian blogs is an awesome way for a relatively new Christian to dig deeper, hear and think about issues, and definitely get input to books and authors. I thank all of you for posting your thoughts on such great varieties of topics.I love this "blogging stuff" and love moving closer and closer in my relationship with Jesus! Stop on by...
Hi Rindy!
Thanks for stopping by, and welcome to bloglandia!
answering on Monday. Great questions!
Kim, I really want to comment here, but I'm not sure what to say. You've got me thinking about this subject. In brief, I'm learning a lot from the Christian women bloggers I've discovered in the last year and am so thankful for them. XO
Here's mine...this was fun!