When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.
So wrote the Apostle Paul to Timothy while in prison (2 Ti 4.13). The parchments may very well refer to the Scriptures themselves. But what were the books? We can only speculate. What we do know, however, is that Paul valued these books so highly that he asked Timothy to bring them.
Paul’s example is worth following. True, “of making books there is no end, and much study is a weariness to the flesh” (Ec 12.12). Nevertheless for Christians studying the ways and works of God–primarily in his word but also through the writings of his people–must be a priority. Over a hundred years ago, C. H. Spurgeon lamented:
I would that this age produced more thoughtful and studious Christians. I am afraid that, apart from what many of you gather from the sermon or from the reading of the Scriptures in public, you do not learn much from the Word of God and from those innumerable instructive books which godly men have bequeathed to us.
But what to read? A trip to the local bookstore reveals literally thousands of titles that clamor for the reader’s attention–and pocketbook. Certainly not all those books are of equal value; therefore no Christian should feel guilty for failing to read them all. As early-nineteenth-century pastor Charles Bridges noted, “No man can read everything; nor would our real store be increased by the capacity to do so.” How then do we select the best that is available?
Hopefully this blog can help you. Each week we’ll feature one book that may be worth your investment of time (and, yes, in some cases your money). The contributors include current and former elders of our church, as well as some of our church planters whom we have sent across the country. With occasional exception, the books reviewed will be recommended resources. You’ll learn about books old and new covering a wide range of topics, including Christian growth, parenting, and biography, to name a few.
Only a few will read all of these books. Our goal is not for you to read each one. But as you learn about these works through these reviews, our hope is that you’ll find some that will expand your understanding of God, increase your affection for Christ, and empower you to walk in the Spirit.
