Embracing Reading: A Legacy of Faith and Growth
Summary
In reflecting on the life and legacy of my father, I am reminded of his profound love for reading and the impact it had on his ministry and personal life. His passion for books was not just a hobby but a vital part of his spiritual and intellectual journey. The Evangelical Library, with its vast collection of Christian literature, was a significant part of his life, and he saw it as a great work of God. He believed in the power of books to stimulate thought and deepen one's understanding of faith.
My father was not a fast reader, but he was a thorough one. He believed in digesting the content of books, allowing them to become a part of him. This method of reading enabled him to retain a vast amount of knowledge, which he used to enrich his sermons and teachings. He was not interested in reading for the sake of acquiring ideas to regurgitate but rather to stimulate his own thinking and understanding.
He had a particular disdain for paperbacks and digests, preferring books that could be kept for a lifetime. His reading was not limited to theology; he read widely across various subjects, including biographies, history, and even medical journals for relaxation. This broad reading allowed him to engage with the world around him and provide informed insights into various topics.
My father's approach to reading was balanced. He cautioned against allowing reading to become a drug or a means to impress others. Instead, he encouraged reading as a way to grow in knowledge and understanding, always with the aim of applying it to one's life and ministry. His love for church history and biography was evident, as he believed they provided a balance and a check against pride.
In his later years, his reading was focused on the Bible and Welsh hymns, which provided him with comfort and strength. His systematic reading of the Bible was a testament to his belief in its power as the bread of life. Even in his final days, he pointed to Scripture as his source of hope and assurance.
Key Takeaways:
- The power of reading lies not in the accumulation of ideas but in the stimulation of thought and personal growth. My father believed that books should be digested and become a part of one's being, leading to deeper understanding and original thought. [24:02]
- Balance in reading is crucial. While reading widely is beneficial, it should never become a means to impress others or a substitute for genuine understanding. My father emphasized the importance of reading for personal growth and not for show. [22:19]
- My father's love for church history and biography was rooted in their ability to provide perspective and humility. He believed that reading about the lives of great saints could keep one's pride in check and offer valuable lessons for life and ministry. [54:11]
- Systematic reading of the Bible was central to my father's spiritual life. He believed in reading the Bible from beginning to end, allowing its truths to nourish and guide him throughout his life. [57:16]
- My father's approach to reading was marked by a desire to understand the world and engage with it thoughtfully. He read widely, from theology to medical journals, always seeking to understand different perspectives and apply them to his ministry. [46:05]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to the Evangelical Library
[01:03] - The Beginnings of a Great Work
[02:25] - Personal Reflections on My Father
[03:20] - The Impact of Loss
[04:56] - Discovering New Authors
[06:21] - Early Memories of Reading
[07:59] - Reading as a Lifelong Habit
[09:18] - The Importance of Books
[12:33] - Family Influence on Reading
[14:16] - Dislikes in Reading
[18:31] - Novels and Exceptions
[21:09] - Reading as a Drug
[24:02] - The Purpose of Reading
[27:32] - The Breadth of His Reading
[32:17] - Reading for Information
[39:36] - Sharing Enthusiasm for Books
[43:23] - Reading for Relaxation
[46:05] - Engaging with the World Through Reading
[49:24] - Theology and Devotional Reading
[56:59] - The Bible as the Bread of Life
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2. Proverbs 4:7 - "The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding."
3. Psalm 119:105 - "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."
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Observation Questions:
1. How did the speaker describe their father's approach to reading, and what was his primary goal in reading books? [24:02]
2. What was the speaker's father's opinion on paperbacks and digests, and why did he hold this view? [13:20]
3. In what ways did the speaker's father use his reading to engage with the world around him? [46:05]
4. How did the speaker's father balance his reading habits, and what was his warning about reading becoming a "drug"? [21:09]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might the speaker's father have emphasized the importance of reading for personal growth rather than to impress others? [22:19]
2. How does the speaker's father's method of reading reflect the principles found in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 about the purpose of Scripture? [57:16]
3. What can be inferred about the speaker's father's character and values based on his reading preferences and habits? [54:11]
4. How does the speaker's father's approach to reading align with the wisdom encouraged in Proverbs 4:7? [24:02]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own reading habits. Do you read to impress others, or do you read for personal growth and understanding? How can you align your reading habits more closely with the speaker's father's approach? [22:19]
2. The speaker's father read widely, including theology, biographies, and even medical journals. What new genre or subject could you explore to broaden your understanding of the world? [46:05]
3. Consider the balance in your reading habits. Is there a particular type of reading that has become a "drug" for you? How can you ensure that your reading is balanced and beneficial? [21:09]
4. The speaker's father found comfort and strength in the Bible and Welsh hymns in his later years. What spiritual or literary resources do you turn to for comfort and strength, and how can you incorporate them more into your daily life? [57:16]
5. The speaker's father believed in the power of books to stimulate thought and deepen understanding. How can you apply this principle to your study of the Bible and other spiritual texts? [24:02]
6. How can you use your reading to engage more thoughtfully with the world around you, as the speaker's father did? Identify one current event or topic you could learn more about this week. [46:05]
7. The speaker's father valued reading biographies for perspective and humility. Is there a biography of a great saint or historical figure you could read to gain new insights and keep your pride in check? [54:11]
Devotional
Day 1: Reading as a Path to Personal Growth
Books are not merely vessels for ideas but catalysts for personal transformation. The act of reading should be an immersive experience where the content is thoroughly digested and integrated into one's being. This approach leads to a deeper understanding and fosters original thought. The focus is not on the quantity of ideas accumulated but on the quality of thought stimulated. By allowing books to become a part of oneself, individuals can experience significant personal growth and a more profound comprehension of their faith. [24:02]
"For wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you." (Proverbs 2:10-11, ESV)
Reflection: What book or piece of literature has profoundly impacted your personal growth? How can you revisit its lessons today to further stimulate your spiritual journey?
Day 2: The Balance of Reading for Growth, Not Show
Reading should be a balanced endeavor, pursued for personal growth rather than as a means to impress others. It is essential to read widely and deeply, but the ultimate goal should be genuine understanding and application to one's life. This balance ensures that reading remains a tool for personal development rather than a superficial display of knowledge. By focusing on reading for growth, individuals can cultivate a more authentic and meaningful relationship with the material they engage with. [22:19]
"Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips." (Proverbs 27:2, ESV)
Reflection: Consider your current reading habits. Are there areas where you might be reading more for appearance than for genuine understanding? How can you adjust your approach to prioritize personal growth?
Day 3: Learning Humility Through the Lives of Others
Reading about the lives of great saints and historical figures can provide valuable perspective and humility. These stories offer lessons that can keep one's pride in check and inspire a more grounded approach to life and ministry. By engaging with biographies and church history, individuals can gain insights into the challenges and triumphs of others, fostering a sense of humility and a deeper appreciation for the complexities of the human experience. [54:11]
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a biography or historical account that has taught you humility. How can you apply the lessons learned from this story to your current life situation?
Day 4: The Bible as a Source of Nourishment and Guidance
Systematic reading of the Bible is central to spiritual life, providing nourishment and guidance. By reading the Bible from beginning to end, individuals can allow its truths to permeate their lives, offering comfort and strength in times of need. This disciplined approach to Scripture ensures that its teachings remain a constant source of hope and assurance, guiding believers through the complexities of life with wisdom and grace. [57:16]
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate a more systematic approach to your Bible reading? What steps can you take today to ensure that Scripture remains a central part of your daily routine?
Day 5: Engaging with the World Through Diverse Reading
Reading widely across various subjects allows individuals to engage thoughtfully with the world around them. By exploring different perspectives, from theology to medical journals, readers can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the world and apply this knowledge to their ministry and personal life. This approach encourages a thoughtful engagement with diverse ideas, fostering a more informed and empathetic worldview. [46:05]
"Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning." (Proverbs 9:9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one new subject or perspective you can explore through reading this week? How might this broaden your understanding and enhance your ability to engage with the world?
Quotes
The evangelical library meant so much to him probably most of you friends who were with him over the years and evangelical library people like mr. Michael Wright and all the rest of you you knew this you knew how much he he loved the work of the evangelical library how much he loved working first mr. Williams and then with mr. Sayer this whole idea of this great library full of Christian books this great heritage and treasure of ours it meant so much to him. [00:00:32]
He believed in digesting the content of books, allowing them to become a part of him. This method of reading enabled him to retain a vast amount of knowledge, which he used to enrich his sermons and teachings. He was not interested in reading for the sake of acquiring ideas to regurgitate but rather to stimulate his own thinking and understanding. [00:24:02]
He disliked paperbacks very much indeed, now all of us in the family, grandchildren children everybody we all had to persuade him that books were very expensive nowadays the students across as you can imagine we're very ferocious about this how could they afford to buy drops crossing 10 times 95 and so on and he did horrid Jing Li agree that perhaps this was true but you see it's interesting why he disliked his paperbacks books to him with friends that you kept her life. [00:12:46]
He said at one point I am NOT a believer in digests and encyclopedias they encourage a ready reckoner mentality rather than thought but when you think about it of course this is very typical of him he couldn't bear anything potted as it were he didn't like shortened versions of things he didn't like biographies which are just a few broad sweeps of facts. [00:14:02]
He said in a sense one should not go to books for ideas the business of books is to make one think the function of reading is to stimulate us in general to stimulate us to think and to think for ourselves take all you read he said and masticate it thoroughly rather like bacon is need to know about books that are meant to be not some swallowed etc etc but some of are meant to be queued and digested. [00:24:02]
He was not a quick reader I'm sure most people thought that he got through books at the speed of knots he didn't he wished he could my mother said that he often said you know there are so many books to be read I wish I could read more quickly but he was basically a slowly he once apparently sent her away an answer to some advertisement for a book that told you how to read more quickly. [00:25:14]
He read widely for information and it was interesting how important this was in so many fields for instance the Westminster conferences I'm sure we all remember don't we he'd finish wouldn't hear the last lecture and he'd have his subject you know how he'd read it all how he'd got all these facts how he chaired all these meetings and he knew all the speaker's facts as well as they did awful sometimes a little better. [00:28:07]
He believed in reading white lid and he gave his reasons he said it would be good for your mind he said it will preserve resilience and freshness I have always tried to do this and to take certain journals which deal with general and literary matters and where there are good well written articles and and I underlined it good book reviews which will suggest other books for reading. [00:36:16]
He believed in reading the Bible often from beginning to end through and through not just reading ones favorite passages you've studied certain passages when you needed them but you read the Bible consistently time and time again I think mother worked out that they must have done the system for at least fist I think it was fifty-three fifty-four years so you see the New Testament he would have read at least 110 times on the system let alone all his own study for his sermons. [00:57:16]
He loved church history biography now this is so obvious that I real Indian thought you all know this what was the Westminster conference doing what was he always telling us to do but to read church history and biography he loved it for itself again it had to be a detailed biography none of these potted things that's why he always enjoyed big ones like you know the mr. dally Ma's book on on on Whitfield or you know some of the earlier ones with their great concentration of detail and so on. [00:54:11]
He said read it he said because it is the bread of life the manna for your souls nourishment and well-being you all know I'm sure that he followed the meramec chain system of reading he believed in reading the Bible often from beginning to end through and through not just reading ones favorite passages you've studied certain passages when you needed them but you read the Bible consistently time and time again. [00:57:16]
He was a tremendous enthusiast and he enjoyed sharing with other people's enthusiasm as well with the grandchildren you see he would be he would enjoy discussing the finer points of a wrestler atom or school problems with the two older girls or American politics with Jonathan and in fact I remember myself when I was a very little girl I used to collect cigarette cards now as you can imagine it was rather a hard job for you to collect cigarette cards because nobody anyway I smoked around me there were very few members of the church in a broth on that smoked either and I really labeled my way through a collection of film stars in cigarette cards. [00:39:36]
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