2 Timothy 4:13: “The
cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee,
and the books, but especially the parchments.”
Many have been intrigued over the years by
Paul’s personal note to Timothy at the close of 2 Timothy, in which the apostle
urges his junior colleague to bring “the books [ta biblia]” and especially “the parchments [tas membranas].” Some have
suggested that Paul was asking Timothy to bring him copies of various books of
Scripture or even of his own handwritten epistles. Others have suggested that Paul was asking
Timothy to bring both Scriptures and uninspired but edifying literature for him
to read. From its earliest days
Christians have urged the reading of edifying books as a spiritual discipline.
We are enjoying some vacation this week on
the North Carolina coast, which has provided ample time for reading. Here’s what I’ve read (or am still reading)
this week:
·
Michael Brown’s A Queer Thing Happened to America (EqualTime books, 2011). This is an intriguing and insightful survey
of the impact of homosexual activism in contemporary American culture.
·
David Murray’s How Sermons Work (Evangelical Press, 2011). This is a very practical book on preaching by
our 2010 Keach Conference speaker.
·
Archibald A. Hodge and Benjamin B. Warfield, Inspiration (Baker, 1979 [original
1881]). This is a classic essay
co-written by two Princeton giants defending the divine inspiration of
Scripture.
·
Adrian Goldsworthy’s How Rome Fell (Yale University Press, 2009). This is a secular history of the later Roman
Empire, but brimming with insights on the history of early Christianity.
·
John Bunyan’s The Life and Death of Mr. Badman (Echo Library, 2007 [original
1680]). This is one of Bunyan’s lesser
known allegories on the life and death of an unregenerate man (i.e., “Mr.
Badman”), but it still packs a powerful spiritual punch.
I’ve been thankful for the time for restful
reading and thinking and pray the Lord would open the door for you to do the
same before the summer ends.
Grace and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle
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