It could be argued that no post-apostolic man had greater impact on the church and the world than Saint Augustine. And it could be argued that such was all sparked when he heeded the chant of nearby children as they cried out, Tolle Lege, “Take up and read.” He picked up a Bible and the Spirit gave him life.
It wasn’t that uncommon for me to be tasked, when I worked for Ligonier Ministries, to meet with visiting para-church “dignitaries.” They got to meet with an RC Sproul while the real RC Sproul got to avoid the meeting. This gentlemen came seeking ministerial cooperation, an investor.
He was excited about the project, and had done well with fundraising. They just needed a few more partners. The plan was to create a video Bible. Not a definitive book on creating video, but the Bible, the Word of God, Genesis through Revelation, on video.
Politely I let him know we wouldn’t be participating. He politely asked why. I explained, “At Ligonier we believe in the sovereignty of God. We believe , as such, that He could have brought video to the world at any time He wanted. He could have brought the message at any time He wanted, waiting to the 20th century if such fit His purpose.”
“God didn’t,” I continued, “tell us in John, ‘In the beginning was the image, the moving picture, the video.’ Instead He said, ‘In the beginning was the Word.’ I’m not saying that video has no use. I am saying that the Bible isn’t God’s message in screenplay form waiting for us to finish the project.”
I like movies. Even more I love music. I believe, channeling my inner Neil Postman, that precious few things have greater capacity to change us than the things we read, especially the books we read. Movies and music may be able to have a stronger impact on our emotional state at the moment, but that impact tends to not last.
What we read, I would argue, especially if what we read is well-written, has an ideal balance of emotional impact grounded in intellectual impact. That intellectual impact is the root system of the change, that prepares us for life-changing fruit.
I may, I admit, be a bit biased. I am not only a reader but a writer. The list of things that have changed me is largely bibliographical. I am, in addition, constantly being told by precious saints how this, that or several of my father’s books changed their lives. When I, in the context of counseling am trying to help others, I invariably encourage reading this or that.
It is, of course, possible to read and be unchanged. Just like one can, with effort, tamp down the emotional impact of music even whole listening, so one can read with one’s guard up. One can also read books that are less effective than others. What then ought we to do?
If we want to effect change, we might be wise to take up writing. If we want to be changed, we’d be wise to take up writing. Read slow. Read in the quiet. Read and enjoy- don’t let it be a chore. The best books are a pleasure to read and potent for change.
Let me know in the comments if you’d like some suggestions. Please also leave there some of the books that have shaped you.