When reading Christian literature, please skip the junk food section
The more time I spend reflecting on my own spiritual journey, particularly as it relates to changes I’ve experienced in my beliefs and practices, the more I’ve come to realize that while many factors have contributed to these changes, much of what I’ve come to believe has been inspired by what I’ve read.
Most everything I’ve written about, blogged about, spoken on in a variety of church settings, as well as in small group contexts, has come about as a direct result of something I’ve read. Articles, books, book reviews, blog posts, and even quotes, have inspired my mind and heart to entertain new ideas. And, from those new ideas have come a plethora of new found passions.
A diet of good ideas
You see, in order to grow, you have to eat. The same can be said of ‘soul growth’. In order to experience maturity in our minds and hearts, we have to consistently eat a diet of good ideas.
We also need to eat from a wide variety of sources. Eating too much from one food group can prove to be unhealthy and cause all kinds of issues. The best diets are those that include foods from all food groups, prepared well, and enjoyed in moderation. The same can be said for what we read.
Quality and variety. These two things are important in the food we eat and in the books we read. Click To TweetQuality and variety. These two things are important in the food we eat and in the books we read. Unfortunately, many people eat poorly and read poorly.
Can I be honest with you?
If a person eats junk food on a consistent basis and wonders why they feel terrible, is it difficult to understand why?
Likewise, how can anyone follow a path that leads them to a better understanding of their Christian faith when all they read is junk? Garbage in-garbage out, as they say.
I’m not saying that every follower of Jesus should immediately hit up Amazon to buy the entire selection of Karl Barth’s Church Dogmatics. But, what I am calling for is for us to consider a few things.
Ask yourself these questions:
Am I reading at all?
If so, am I reading from a wide variety of good sources?
Or, does my diet consist mainly of ‘junk books’?
It may surprise you that if you have a tendency to feel sluggish in your spirituality, as well as in your understanding of the message of Jesus, it could be directly related to what you’ve been feeding on.
Pop-Christianity in book form
Most of the books I see in the ‘religious’ section at bookstores, and online options as well, typically fall into the category of junk – pop-christianity in book form.
Again, I’m not saying we all need to go out and buy a dozen volumes of 1,000 page systematic theology textbooks. What I am saying, however, is that what usually passes in the ‘christian’ section of most bookstores is not the best place to begin our reading journey. It’s like passing by the whole foods section to the chip and dip aisle.
In the end, let’s do our best to read well. Maybe the reason we feel the way we do about spiritual matters can be remedied, at least in part, through a change in diet.
My advice is simple:
Read.
Read well.
Read widely.
A little change in diet can go a long way.
What have you been reading lately?
Dear Readers:
ChristianWeek relies on your generous support. please take a minute and donate to help give voice to stories that inform, encourage and inspire.
Donations of $20 or more will receive a charitable receipt.Thank you, from Christianweek.
About the author