To Read, or Not to Read?

In light of recent discussions and conviction in my own life, I have become burdened to comment on a sensitive and necessary subject: the reading of books for spiritual growth outside of Scripture. The view held within this article is that only Scripture, through the Holy Spirit, has the authority and power to change a person’s heart, and that authority and power is only attributed to Scripture because it is the Word of a holy, righteous, and perfect God, therefore the Word itself is perfect. The implication of this concept is that anything written by fallen, sinful man contains a strong likelihood to be imperfect or flawed, since man is flawed and no human is capable of reaching perfect doctrine and theology on this earth due to the vastness of the God we serve and His infinite qualities that our finite minds cannot grasp. It is with these premises that I delve into the literary world of Christian theology and doctrine and any sort of teaching outside of Scripture.

I begin by commending the pursuit of authors that hold to the same truths that you and I have individually come to understand. There is a great deal of importance in knowing who you are reading and what they believe, as Scripture urges us to be aware of those who teach “strange doctrines” (1 Tim. 1:3, NASB) and that these can lead to “fruitless discussion” (1 Tim. 1:6). How sweet it is to be able to fellowship with one another discussing ideas and concepts presented by pastors and theologians who we can trust to lead us to Christ!

However, with much good also comes the necessity for a proper balance. If we place these books or people on the same level as Scripture (if not higher) we have crossed a deep and serious line of idolatry. Even as I examine my own bookshelf, I shudder at the thought of the favored, fallible authors that I take to be authoritative, and consequently place equal to the Word of God. Though it is great to have favorite authors who speak and minister to our needs, we also must not impose these authors on others, as they may not be fit for their need. Let us not become teachers who impose opinion as doctrine (Matt. 15:7-9)!

Here I find myself being convicted in numerous areas as I pick up yet another book by my personal favorite author, so I ask myself these questions:

1. Has this become my source of growth over Scripture? Do I read this more than Scripture?
2. Am I concerned that others know what I am reading, who I am reading, and the knowledge I have acquired?
3. In my inquiry of what and who my friends are reading, and the knowledge they have acquired, what am I concerned with? Where I line up in their booklist or what Christ is doing and changing in their life?
4. Do I measure my growth based on a particular subject I have intellectually conquered, or a particular book or author I have read? Or do I measure my growth based on becoming more like Christ: having a humble, servant’s heart that is willing to suffer and sacrifice for the Gospel?
5. When posed with a difficult question, where do I first look for an answer: Scripture or my favorite author?

These questions are trigger points that lead to a deeper understanding of who I am worshiping, be it an author or pastor or book, even myself, or God; and how my pride has filtered into each area of my life, primarily here in reading and studying.

We must caution ourselves from becoming too attached to a particular author and method of teaching rendering ourselves unwilling to hear and unable to minister. Unwilling to hear anything that is of a different style, structure, or “spiritual level” than we are accustomed to and deem appropriate, and unable to then minister to anyone who is of a different style, structure, or “spiritual level” than we deem to be ourselves. If I cannot sit through a sermon or read a book that deals with a simpler teaching of Christianity than I prefer to read or that I think I am above (been there done that concept) then there is something seriously wrong with my heart(2 Cor. 11:3). I have become unteachable, which is in direct opposition to my call to be a disciple (literally, “pupil or learner”) If this is the case, how then can we begin to minister to others? We will either bore them with talking about these supposed “high concepts” when they need something much different (as with our own sanctification, different aspects of the Gospel will always outweigh others during particular trials), or worse drive them away from Christ even more by overwhelming or intimidating them! We cannot allow our ministry to become about what someone does or does not know (as did the Pharisees), but rather we should mimic Paul and “become all things to all men” (I Cor. 9:22) and meet them in their spiritual walk, not our own. Let us caution against becoming a Truth knower, and strive to become a Truth bearer!

Finally, I would like to consider the idea of reading those who we do not fully agree with regarding particular issues. There are two lines to be crossed: what is permissible for the individual, and what is permissible for the whole. Concerning one’s own life, it is perfectly right to not read anyone who differs greatly in doctrine from you. At the same time, it is perfectly right (with sound doctrine established) to read someone who may differ if there is still solid truth at hand to be grasped. If you can discern between falsehood and truth, then do not feel you are being extremely dangerous. You should feel dangerous however when you cannot discern falsehood from truth (which is probably more often done with our favorite authors). It is easy to use our strongest filter when reading one who does not agree with us in certain areas, however can we justify not filtering our favorite authors through Scripture as well? Not if we believe that only Scripture is inerrant because it was written through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

As to the whole, I do not see it fit to teach from these authors (unless there is the premise stated of what is right and wrong, truth and falsehood) for the sake of the mixed group being taught. Do we allow the pre-Christian, the baby Christian, and the mature Christian the opportunity to delve into any particular author with no foreknowledge of their wrong belief? That could be a very dangerous thing! There should always be a heightened sense of caution and security when dealing with anyone other than oneself. And yet, we should never withhold truth due to a miniscule difference in doctrine, especially if it is of no relation to the truth being presented, lest we forget God’s sovereignty. But praise be to God, our Father, who will keep us from falling into any such wind of doctrine (Jude – all of it).

I do pray that each person discovers those authors that they love to read, are challenged by, and can trust so that they may grow to deeper understanding of the concepts that Scripture presents. I never will condemn a commentary, systematic theology textbook, or book that spurs a Christian of any level to greater belief and understanding of the Word of God. Praise the Lord that He has given some the gift of understanding and the ability to communicate through writing the teachings of Scripture (and in many different styles, for many different types of people). Yet I fear for myself and my friends that we do not become idolaters of these people and do not diminish the Word of God by placing the word of man as equal. Let us become lovers of God and His Word before we become lovers of men and doctrine.