Knowing God by J.I. Packer is perhaps the book that has most helped me in my Christian faith outside of the Bible. We should read good books - I wanted to say this after yesterday's blog post. The books I was referring to were most current trendy "Christian" literature on the market today.
I don't want to insinuate that we can't read books outside of the Bible. We can and should. The thing about a good book is that it will help deepen your faith by unwrapping the biblical truths a layer at a time to slowly reveal the treasure inside. It will help us understand the Bible better and lead us not only to know about God, but to know him.
Maybe it's like listening to a good sermon. We are participants, if that makes sense. Our pastor reads a particular passage of Scripture and then he begins to unfold the napkin, I'm mixing metaphors here. The unrolling of the cloth reveals the sparkling silverware.
The spoon feeds me the easy to digest foods that may be gleaned from the top layer, but the fork offers the solid meat that's been dug out from underneath the top. The knife cuts me to the heart over my sin in the ways I have not followed God's truth, but the gapping, raw wound is needed and allows for the infection to be extracted and for healing to begin in that area of my life.
I don't just sit in the pew in a state of inactivity while the pastor spoon feeds me - I hear, take notes, and receive the goodness. On the way home, I meditate on the words I heard and during the week I apply them.
The sermon doesn't tickle my ears, but confronts my heart and reveals Christ. This is the power of the Scriptures. Jesus instructs shepherds to feed his lambs and sheep and to tend to them, but we sheep have work to do also in chewing and swallowing the meal. It has to get into us if its to do any good. ( John 21 )
I know, I'm all over the place today with metaphors. But the Bible itself uses many different pictures to describe the Christian life; these comparisons are beneficial in helping us see the truth. Rarely does God spell things out in his Word, but the doctrines of grace are unearthed out of the historical narrative, poetry, letters, prophecies, and commandments.
Studying the Scriptures is a beautiful endeavor.
In the same way, I believe we interact with a good book. As we read, we begin to make notes in the margin and highlight the parts we don't want to forget. We pause and think about what we just read, or maybe reread a certain paragraph over again and again to grasp the author's point and for the meaning to sink into our hearts. A good book should strengthen our faith.
I guess I should stop and reiterate that I'm not talking about all books. Most of what is pumped out and placed on racks in book stores under the heading "Christian" is sadly not edible for sheep. I have read many of these bestsellers in the past, and still do at times. I do this to get a flavor of what's out there under the banner of Christianity. And most all of the books are shallow, empty, and self-centered, nothing like the richness of an old Christian classic that's withstood the test of time. I don't know how else to say it.
I'm not saying we shouldn't read modern books; there are some great ones out there. I'm just saying that you have to dig for them, and it's worth the hunt. Knowing God was published in 1973, so it's not an ancient book, but it's certainly held up over the years. Sovereign Grace Music even wrote a playlist based off the book.
They say on their website that SGM exists to write songs that are theologically driven and Christ-exalting. They say Dr. Packer's Knowing God isn't just a book to be read, but songs waiting to be sung. So I believe we should extend this to music too. Read good books and sing good songs. It matters greatly. We are feeding our souls.
I just wanted to say that this morning - to encourage all of us to read our Bible and to be careful what we read and listen to. Friends, more than anything I want to encourage you in your pursuit of "the one true God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent." ( John 17:3 )
I'll end with a quote from Knowing God, if you're looking now for a good book, please consider it. I know "beach season" is upon us, so maybe it can be your vacation read this summer. I'll even post my Mac wallpaper of my favorite little people who went to the beach on their spring break to inspire you.
Happy reading!
"so we are cruel to ourselves if we try to live in this world without knowing about the God whose world it is and who runs it. The world becomes a strange, mad, painful place, and life in it a disappointing and unpleasant business for those who don't know about God."
"I ask you for the moment to stop your ears to those who tell you there is no road to knowledge about God, and come a little way with me and see. After all, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and anyone who is actually following a recognized road will not be too worried if he hears non-travelers telling each other that no such road exists."
"Storm or no storm, then, we are going to start. But how do we plot our course?" ( page 15 ) cliffhanger lol
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