Why Books Are Important

To face life, especially the difficult times of life, we must commit ourselves to personal spiritual growth. One way of growing spiritually is by reading books written by godly authors.

Books help us in many ways. As Christians, we were given a book or a library of books - the Bible - to read and meditate upon for our growth in the knowledge of God and ourselves. Books are important because they are means by which we learn. In learning we also grow in various areas.

The famous English preacher, Charles H. Spurgeon, draws some lessons out of Paul’s request to Timothy to bring him “the books [scrolls], especially the parchments” (2 Tim. 4:13). Spurgeon uses this verse to rebuke pastors who think that they can preach without study and preparation.

He says of Paul, "He is inspired, and yet he wants books! He has been preaching at least for thirty years, and yet he wants books! He had seen the Lord, and yet he wants books! He had had a wider experience than most men, and yet he wants books! He had written the major part of the New Testament, and yet he wants books" ("Spurgeon's Expository Encyclopedia" [Baker], 11:386)!

We don’t know what these books contained, although many think that the parchments, which were more valuable than ordinary papyrus scrolls, were probably his copies of the Old Testament. But his words are amazing, in that he has just acknowledged that he is facing imminent execution, yet he wants Timothy to bring his books!

Good books are dear companions. They bring us the best thoughts of godly men of the past centuries and the present time. As long as we’re able, let us keep on developing our minds through reading.

We also need to take care of our souls. Reading books and especially reading the Bible should help us come to know God better. In other words, reading should not only help us become better Christian thinkers, but also to go deeper in our relationship with and witness for Christ. With Paul (Phil. 3:8-14), we should press on to know Christ more and more.

We must take care of developing our character as well. Reading the Bible and good Christian books should help us become more Christ-like, more loving, and more humble. If we are filled with arrogance over how much we know, we have missed the point.

In fact, the more we study the Bible and read the lives and writings of the great saints from the past, the more we realize how little we know God and how much we need to grow. Even if you're an aged saint like Paul, there's still room to grow in godly character. Reading books is a major avenue for growth.

Aside from the Bible, here are a few of the books and their authors that have influenced me the most in my Christian life and ministry:

1. "Basic Christianity" by John R. W. Stott. It is the first book on basic theology that I've read. It was a required reading for IVCF-Philippines's 'Kawayan Camp,' a month-long student leaders' training, which I attended in summer of 1990. It has increased my knowledge of my sinfulness and misery through Stott's clear exposition of the Ten Commandments. I was convicted of my sin.

Stott also emphasizes in this book the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ at the Cross and how that sacrifice provided for me the assurance that all my sins are forgiven in Him. So I was also comforted and delighted to know that I don't need to add anything to Christ’s atoning sacrifice to save myself.

2. "Knowing God" by J. I. Packer. This book has been my favorite ever since I was introduced to it back in 1990s. It has deepened my knowledge of and devotion to God. Packer's scholarly yet pastoral exposition of God's sovereign grace in the salvation of mankind through Jesus Christ has left me dumbfounded. Through Packer’s various expositions I was able to understand the gospel better and became more grateful to God. I make it a habit to read this classic every year, or at least a few chapters of the book.

3. "Institutes of the Christian Religion" by John Calvin. I've learned deeply about the Christian faith and the Christian life by reading Calvin. If you haven't read Calvin yet, you may start by reading "The Golden Book of the True Christian Life" which is the section of Calvin's "Institutes" on the Christian life.

4. "Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts" and "The Pursuit of Holiness" by Jerry Bridges. I've benefited a lot from Jerry Bridges's writings and these books have a lot of impact to me in terms of understanding God's sovereignty and providence and holiness in the Christian life.

5. "The Christian Life" by Sinclair B. Ferguson is really a Biblical-theological introductory reading on the doctrine of salvation.

6. "The Confessions" by St. Augustine. One of the Christian classics one can't afford not to read. There's a recent English edition of it for the 21st century reader.

7. "Calvin's Doctrine of the Christian Life" by Ronald S. Wallace. This is one the best and most helpful books I've read and reviewed during my seminary days. Calvin was concerned not only of correct knowledge of God and self but also on how this knowledge should lead us to godly living.

8. "The Heidelberg Catechism" by Zacarias Ursinus. Although not a book but a catechism, the Heidelberg Catechism is my favorite Reformation document and one that has helped me better understand the gospel of Christ and the Christian life. Ursinus’s commentary on the catechism is priceless.

9. "The Holiness of God" and 10. "Chosen by God" by R. C. Sproul. These two books were instrumental in helping me understand Reformed Theology when I was being introduced to it. I still read these books every now and then.

There are other authors and their books that have impacted me and influenced me one way or the other but I think these books are among the top ten. These books have helped me provide foundational understanding of who God is and who I am in Christ.