Discernment with books..

In my opinion there is no harm in reading books that are incorrect. After all how are they to be rejected if we don’t know what they say? I try to take detailed notes when I read an incorrect book so that I fully understand the position and where it departs from scripture. In fact I did that on one of your favorites! As far as recommended books go I really only buy books that are recommended by a few people that I am in close agreement with. That is more about saving time and reading valuable books than avoiding erroneous material.

I love books! I’ve started reading way more books than I’ve finished. If it’s fluff, I’ll usually skim through it or toss it. If it’s not true or beneficial, I’ll do the same. I have been blessed by authors from outside of my village.

I was part of a church that “recommended” I didn’t read MacArthur (new evangelical), Puritans (non-separatists), and Spurgeon (Calvinist), Since then, I’m not there anymore.

I am in the middle of reading God is Not Great - How Religion Poisons Everything by the late Christopher Hitchens! Not usually considered a “safe” book. I am actually enjoying the book, strangely enough. His objections to Christianity itself are poor, but his protests against the crimes of “religion” are interesting.

As a pastor, I am asked to review books by some in my congregation. While I do not mind taking a look at a book someone asks about, I usually end up encouraging them to read it with discernment, even if I have found it to contain problematic things, and to engage in a discussion with me about the book’s merits or lack thereof. In my view, Biblical discernment is a skill that must be developed through use, and part of my role in the church is training believers to use Biblical wisdom to evaluate everything.

I like what Grant Horner wrote in Think Biblically!, “Most Americans and, unfortunately, most Christians sit like zombies before their television, movie, and computer screens numbed into a state of leisure narcosis, unwilling (and perhaps unable) to ever actually formulate a genuine thought about what they are encountering. And participation without critique is mere absorption. When exposed to something potentially destructive, it is possible to discern one’s way through the cultural artifact and emerge safely on the other side a better man for it. On the other hand, one may also be exposed to something with only marginal error or temptation and be seriously affected because of spiritual numbness. One of the reasons there is so much error in evangelical churches today is because Christians don’t have time to read Scripture and also keep up with their favorite entertainments. So their Bible - the one tool that will help them be discerning in regard to culture - becomes a leather coaster for their soft drink and satellite remote.”

Speaking of books, do any other Pastors wonder why Christians are so obsessed with tabloid-style prophesy books? The latest ideas which seem to making the rounds are (1) contentions that Islam is the revived fourth beast from Daniel 7, (2) there is a centralized, evil agenda by “Islam” to take over the United States and kill us all, and finally (3) John Hagee’s blood moon fetish.

I do worry about discernment for folks!

I apologize for not being clear Tyler. I enjoy MacArthur, the Puritans, etc. I left the church that wanted to dictate my reading list and read anything that interests me. (I was going to make a joke about only reading IFB authors and finishing that list in a week….but I didn’t.)

No, I understand. I agree that dictating reading lists is ridiculous!