The Lost Art of Reading
You may come to this post and wonder: “What’s the big deal? What do you mean study and read?” I know, I know, this is a tough topic for many. But I am willing to say that one of the major reasons our country and the Church specifically is in decline is due to the lack of basic literacy evident everywhere. If people (pastors, lay people, deacons, really everyone) picked up a book every once in a while, the world would be a much better place.
Now I know lately my posts have been a bit “preachy,” I apologize- much has been going on in my personal life that are results of the very things I am talking about being neglected. So yes, I will fight for what I see as things needing to be addressed immediately in society and culture. But first, definitions are in order.
Study
What do I mean by “Study?” Most here this and are immediately turned off because of negative experiences around studying. That means a test is on the way right? Well, yes, there is- every day of life is a test. So knowing that, shouldn’t one think to study? Read Scripture, learn it, study it. Read people’s writings about Scripture. Read history. Read and study. Challenge your mind!
Read
Should we just read the Bible? While that is certainly a wonderful thing, it is helpful to read much more beyond the Bible to understand how society works, how history has shaped us, how story is used to teach and edify, how wisdom is pursued.
When was the last time you sat down and just read a book for an extended amount of time? When was the last time you read a non-fiction book? How often do you use a book to try and learn something? We as a society have become dependent on technology, on Google, on AI, to do simple things we can do ourselves with a bit of time and intuition.
So what does this have to do with Scripture? You may ask yourself, “Matt just get back to talking about the Bible.” Well, I certainly can and will, but in the meantime, I will challenge you with this: “How do you know anything I say is true? How would you spot an error? How would you discern I have written enough on a topic? Or that I missed the mark?” Oh I pray you do not take every word I say as truth. I pray you rip it to pieces, trample it in study, and kick my words in the dust until the ground into fragments, wholly dismantled so you may piece it together in light of what you read and study for yourself. Be like the Bereans in Acts 17:10-15- They listened to Paul and then searched the Scriptures day and night to seek the truth. They picked his words apart. Friend, let me tell you, the best way to do this is to read and read widely. Your unbelieving friend that challenges your faith with documents you have never heard of? May be worth reading about those things and learning what you can about them. You say you don’t have time? Make time- you will never regret it- I promise.
And how should I study you may ask. Easy- Read, read it again. Take notes, look for connections to other things and go read those. Trace the development of thought. Ask questions. Don’t just leave it on the table- engage. This is not a difficult task, but it will begin as one. Persevere, read, learn.
You claim you don’t have time? Turn off the TV. Put down the phone. Wake up early, stay up late. The writer of Ecclesiastes 9:11-18 concludes that wisdom, even wisdom from a poor man is to be heeded: “Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much good” (vs 18). Proverbs 1:1-7 describes the benefits of wisdom over folly, and goes to great lengths to define wisdom and folly in the subsequent chapters. Wisdom entails fearing God, but it also entails loving your neighbor as yourself. Serving the Lord, exercising the brain He gave you. Take up and read, read widely and read well. Engage, write, explore. Or be satisfied scrolling endlessly and never being challenged- you decide.
