The Vision (8/2/12): And the books

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