My Answers to Reading as a Christian Discipline Survey
Monday, January 29, 2007 at 09:46AM I had intended to answer my own questions to the Reading as A Christian Discipline Survey in one post but after seeing how long this post became when answering just the first question, I have decided to answer the questions in separate posts.
Has reading Christian blogs increased your desire to tackle weighty Christian tomes?
Short answer: No, but reading Christian blogs has definitely served to "feed the beast."
Long answer: For me, the desire to "tackle weighty Christian tomes" came long before this whole blogging thing. Years ago, I had the great privilege of being taught, encouraged, exhorted, and discipled by friends on two discussion boards, The Highway and Crosswalk.
It's been years since I visited the Crosswalk discussion boards but I have kept in touch with some of my friends from over there. You may even know a few of them yourself: Rebecca from Rebecca Writes and Tulip Girl and her husband, John. Sadly, I've lost contact with a few of them, like my very kind and patient friend, Eddie Lovelace. Some of you will remember him as a question answer-er extraordinaire. Hmmm. . . I wonder if he has a blog.
The Highway Discussion Board is not only still up and running, but has recently expanded to include a new forum, ExCharisma, for those who are coming out of the Charismatic movement. My friends from the Highway, [especially Jeff Nesbitt (aka Pilgrim) and Wes] have personally made me aware of and directed me to some of my favorite books and authors. Not only that, they have fielded numerous questions and given wonderful advice and encouragement to me for years.
The influence these men and women have had on my life, both through the books they have recommended and through their lives and friendship is incalculable. They walked along side me as I was "reforming," corrected my doctrine with patience and love, and encouraged me to dig in and read Scripture for myself when I became too dependent upon them.
Blogs have now largely taken the place of discussion boards as my source for new "reads." Tim Challies is the biggest source of book referrals, followed closely by Reformation Theology. Some other literary friends include Sherry at Semicolon, Doug at Godward Thoughts, Kim from the Upward Call, Carla from Reflections of the Times, and of course, Rebecca from Rebecca Writes. The girls at titus2talk promise to be another source of current authors. (they are responsible for my newest addition to my "need to read" list: Mrs. C.H. Spurgeon, by Charles Ray.
Reader Comments (1)
There is great merit to the community offered online through blogs and message boards. My world has enlarged considerably since I've become involved! There are so many resources available today to learn from one another.