Books
9 Reasons Why You Should Read More Old Books
If you’re like me, you get anxious and marginally depressed when you see all the new books published each year.
It can happen at Barnes and Noble or while scanning the New York Times bestseller lists.
But the result is always the same: an acute sense of failure. How in the world can I read all of these books?
Fortunately, most books published each year will end up on the remainder pile–forgotten, useless and cheap.
Really cheap.
And while reading new books is a great way to stay on top of the latest ideas, I think it’s much better to make a habit of reading older books.
Here are nine reasons why. Enjoy!
1. Past the classic test.
Old books are books with ideas and stories that endure for 50, 100–even thousands of years. When you read an old book, you can be confident it’s quality writing. Not so with new books.
2. Fewer old books.
Random House’s list of the 100 best novels [all classics, though that could change in 50 years] can be read in one year. You couldn’t possibly manage to do that will all the new fiction published in one year.
3. Look odd, somewhat-sophisticated.
Reading classics adds a depth to your cocktail conversations you can’t get from new books. “You know, while I was reading Oedipus this morning, I thought of a way to solve our modern transit problem. All we have to do is….” See how that works? You just look cool.
4. Learn about the past.
Classic novels, for instance, can teach you about a particular time of history–whether it’s reading Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby [1920s] or Augustine’s City of God [100 BC to 400 AD]–while you’re enjoying yourself.
5. Cheaper.
If you’re the type of worm who likes to own all your books but don’t have deep pockets, then Barnes and Noble re-packages old books in hardcovers and sells them for less than $10. You can also almost always find used copies of old books on Amazon.
6. Free.
Since most classics are in the public domain, you can find them free at many sources online, like the Project Gutenberg [print versions] or LibriVox [audio versions].
7. Available at your library.
Naturally you have a better chance of finding old books at your library. How many times have you been on a waiting list for new, popular fiction? Too many, I’m sure.
8. Lots of commentary.
One of the things I enjoyed about reading Steinbeck’s Of Mice or Men or Dickens Bleak House was hunting down the surrounding discussion on those books. The depth of supporting literature on old books grossly out weighs that of new.
9. Quality is better.
If it’s a classic, this is obvious. Why else would it endure? But what makes a new book a classic? Themes that touch all people across time is one trait. Another trait is a sense of novelty. The book explores an idea for the first time of experiments with an new technique.
Your turn. What reasons can you think of that would convince someone to read more old books? Did I miss anything?
And what do you think make books like Luther’s Bondage of the Will or Paul Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress classic? What qualities make a story like Homer’s Iliad timeless?
Please share. I look forward to your thoughts.
What Are You Reading? And Why?
I’m always curious to know what books you are reading–helps me discover titles I might have never uncovered.
I’m also curious to know WHY you are reading those particular books.
In return, I like to share what books I’m reading in hopes I might introduce you to something new.
By the way: I’m trying to read 100 books this year. But guess what? I’m hopelessly behind.
[Let that be our little secret.]
Nonetheless, in my delusional quest to read 2.25 books a week perhaps I’ll break last year’s record…[which might be a little hard to determine since I never kept track of the books I read last year. Oh well.]
Anyway, here are the six books I’m working through right now.
Old Testament [Out of the Apologetics Study Bible
Hoping to read this in about a 5 week period. By the way, does each book of the OT count as one book? If so, then I’ll have read 33 books in 5 weeks. [Please tell me it does!]
Why I’m Reading It: I don’t think a mature Christian you make without a solid understanding of the OT under your belt. So I make reading it an annual event.
Theological Interpretation of the Old Testament
Book-by-book survey of the OT. Reading it in lockstep with the OT.
Why I’m Reading It: See the above reason.
Coaching for Improved Work Performance
A business book geared for managers hoping to increase productivity. Insights so far: managers need employees more than employees need them and work is simply “renting a certain behavior.” In my case, writing behavior.
Why I’m Reading It: I always want to be better at what I do. At this time it’s being a better editor.
Paradise Lost
John Milton’s classic tale of the Fall. I have to confess: I’m actually listening to it. But you can, too. For free: Paradise Lost at LibriVox.
Why I’m Reading It: Never have. And I love the rich language. As a writer, this is important. I’d recommend all writers to read classics like Paradise Lost. [Or listen to it.]
City of God
St. Augustine’s classic defense of the Christian faith. Reading about 3 pages every morning, which will take me the entire year. In just 300 pages though I’ve got an extensive education on pagan religions and Platonism. Didn’t expect that. [I like those little surprises.]
Why I’m Reading It: I don’t interact with ancient texts [history in general] enough, which restricts my understanding of my faith. Hoping to bridge that gap.
Statistics Demystified
One of those DIY books on the branch of mathematics that deals with the collection, analysis and interpretation of data. It’s got a freaky cover. [So says my kids.]
Why I’m Reading It: I’ve always been fascinated with mathematics. But woefully ignorant of the topic. Plus, I like to learn about things wildly out of my field and exercise parts of my brain that are asleep.
So, what are you reading? And why? Also, are you a library fanatic? [I am.] Or do you prefer to buy books? New or used? I look forward to comments.
“The Messiah” Not Intended for Children Under 10
So…shortly after I published my little book The Messiah last Saturday…I had a brilliant idea.
Or at least I thought it was brilliant.
I printed out a copy and handed it to my eight-year old daughter and said, “Hey! You wanna read daddy’s book and tell me what you think about it?”
She blinked. “You wrote a book?”
“Well…yeah…kind of. It’s short! Short sentences. Short paragraphs. Short chapters. Short book. You could read it in a half hour.”
“I can read one of my chapter books in a half hour.”
“Well then,” I said, “you could read this in fifteen.” I shoved the stack of papers into her hands.
She eyed the book then the computer where the American Girl website beckoned, back at the book then up to me.
“Okay.”
“Do you think you could do it soon. Like before the end of the week?”
Looking at the computer she said, “Sure.” She smiled. “Thanks, daddy.” She squeezed my hand, placed the book on our couch and skipped to the computer to finish her conversation with a doll named Felicity.
I really didn’t want to be too pushy, but the following day I asked my daughter, “So, get a chance to read the book.”
“Nope.”
This went on until today, five days later. I was home early after a routine doctor’s appointment, grabbed The Messiah off the counter and sat down on the couch. My daughter was on the computer.
“Hey, you want to read this together.”
“No thanks, daddy.”
“Okay,” I said.
I flipped to the first page and was surprised to see eight question marks. The second page, which was a very short page, I found four more question marks.
“Hey sweetie, do these question marks mean you don’t understand these words?”
She looked over her shoulder. “Yep.”
“Hm.”
My wife walked in. “Yeah, that was a tough book.”
“Oh. Oh.” I stuck out my bottom lip. “So it’s not really a good book for children to read?”
“Eh, no,” my wife said.
I sighed. My hopes that I could suggest The Messiah as a children’s devotional dashed. I really thought I keyed the thing down.
Guess not.
One thing my wife is REALLY good at is translating adult stuff into child-sized language. Me, I just screw up my eyes and say, “Confront means…you know…get in some one’s face and tell them they’re wrong.”
“Proverbial? Well, it’s like metaphorical…figurative language…not really happen–you’re not getting this are you?”
That’s usually how I do it.
Anyway, this is not to stop you from using The Messiah as a children’s devotional if you so wish. It’s just not recommended if they’re under 10.
By the way, are you any good at translating adult stuff so children can understand? How do you do it? How do you explain words like “proverbial,” “liberal,” “systematic,” redemption” and “scandalous” to a child under ten?
And am I to believe children don’t know what “scandalous means? Am I demanding too much? Share your thoughts. Brutal and all.
Download and Share This Free Book [The Messiah]
Yesterday I promised you a surprise. I’m here to deliver.
I’ve just published a book called The Messiah–Eleven Meditations from the Book of Mark.
You can read or download it here. [It's free.]
Some of you might recognize the title. It comes from a series I did last year of the same name.
Bottom line: I decided to pull all those posts together and wrap them up in a PDF–and give it to you for free.
Here’s a small part from the Introduction:
“Something happens when you systematically read through a gospel narrative like the book of Mark: You are confronted with the real Jesus.
“Gone are the pretty pictures of a gentle man lugging a lamb around on his shoulders.
“Instead, you meet a man who is vast in wisdom, terrifying in strength and exceptional in humility. So vast, terrifying and exceptional you begin to wonder if he is God.”
The Man Behind the Design
My long-distance but great friend Cameron Morgan designed The Messiah for me. He did the cover, the formatting and icons that run throughout the book.
I think it looks amazing.
[For those who are paying attention, he did the logo work for Nathan Bingham over at Calv.ini.st. That's how we met.]
The PDF is actually parked at Scribd, which is a social publishing website, so saying I published it is a bit of a stretch.
But you’ll forgive me, right?
Anyway, you can read or download The Messiah at Scribd. You can also share it on Twitter or Facebook.
Four Ways to Use The Messiah Book
Want some ideas on how to use The Messiah? Here are four.
1. Book.
Read it and move on. Pretty straightforward. You could take it a bit further and brag [or rag] on it–whether here, Scribd or your social media site of choice.
2. Devotional.
Print the book out and hunker down each morning with a chapter. Meditate on the messages like you might a page from Chambers’ My Utmost for His Highest.
3. Tract.
The book is 30 pages of very short chapters, so it’s easy to read. And the content [the identity of Jesus] is perfect for introducing non-believers to the gospel.
4. Study Guide.
Print this book out and walk your study group or Sunday school class through it. Could stretch into an eleven week course.
Did I miss one? Let me know.
One More Thing
Some of you might want to know why I’m giving this book away for free. It basically comes down to this: Your attention is precious to me. I should be paying you.
In a way, with The Messiah, I am. So go download your free copy now.
I hope you enjoy it. And please, let me know what you think. I love hearing from you.
Dr. Banks Responds to My Review of “Praying Together”
**Guest post by Dr. James Banks with a response to my review of his book The Lost Art of Praying Together. I appreciate his words and mercy.**
I’d like to thank Demian for giving me the opportunity to respond to his thoughts on The Lost Art of Praying Together.
I’m grateful for the kindness.
We both have the same interest at heart–we want to see people come to Christ and bear fruit for the Kingdom.
With that in mind and at heart, I’d like to respond to what I believe is a key misunderstanding about the book.
God’s Sovereign Work
First, I do not believe that if we simply pray together, revival will come. Revival is a sovereign work of God and can never be coerced by human methods.
God will move when He will, and it is up to us to humble ourselves before Him.
The beginning of chapter four of The Lost Art of Praying Together begins with this quote from G. Campbell Morgan, which I hope will help clarify things a bit: “We cannot organize revival but we can set our sails to catch the wind from Heaven when God chooses to blow upon His people once again.”
I believe that united prayer is often a precedent to revival (the teaching and preaching of the Word and repentance of others), and that this is something that is overlooked today.
Demian writes that “When he does pull out Scripture… you find Banks guilty of turning descriptive texts into prescriptive methods.”
My intent was to give an overview of the healthy and frequent practice of praying together throughout God’s Word (the second chapter takes a quick look at united prayer in the Old Testament, the third chapter considers Jesus’ practice of prayer, and the fourth looks at prayer in the early church).
There are over eighty scripture references within twenty six brief pages, and while one may differ with my interpretation on any, to imply God’s Word is used as an afterthought misses the mark.
Scripture, and not my personal experience, is the starting point.
I also do not intend to make all passages prescriptive, although I do believe they demonstrate a clear precedent for united prayer in scripture.
I also believe that Jesus’ promise and teaching on united prayer (i.e., Matthew 18:19-20) needs to be taken to heart and acted upon.
Humbling Ourselves/A First Resort
My aim is to show that we do not pray together in obedience to God as previous generations of Christians did, and that we are missing something as a result.
This is also where I believe Demian and I have more in common than first meets the eye.
We both see the difficulty with a church culture which relies more on quick-fixes and methods than on humbling itself before God. I do not believe (as Demian infers) that united prayer is “the superior practice of the Christian life,” but I do see it as a neglected one that needs to be reinstated.
This quote from Michael Green on page 99 of The Lost Art may help explain my perspective:
This is one of the main ways in which Western Christianity is distinguished from African, Asian and Latin American expressions of faith. We rely on technology, on books, videos, organization—in a word, on making things happen. People in the two-thirds world are often deprived of these things, which is a good thing because it makes them rely on God to make things happen. Thus you find the level of faith, the commitment to prayer, and the practice of fasting infinitely more developed in these continents than in our own. It is no surprise that the Gospel is spreading much faster and deeper there than it is in the West. For God loves to answer prayer.
Prayer, in order to be genuine, has to be humble and submitted to God. The Lost Art of Praying Together emphasizes persevering in prayer not for “name it and claim it” reasons (it may help to point out that Demian is not quoting The Lost Art when he writes “You just have to pray more, then God will move.”), but because persevering in prayer helps us give ourselves to God and discover His will with fresh passion and purpose, enabling us to move in His strength instead of our own.
My hope is that others will see prayer as a first resort, and not a last.
A Passion for Prayer that Honors God
The Lost Art of Praying Together was written to encourage believers to unite in prayer because God deeply desires us to do so. The message isn’t “pray to the exclusion of all other things,” but rather to restore united prayer to its biblical place of priority, because this honors and glorifies God and reaches for what He alone can do.
C.H. Spurgeon, in his sermon Prayer for the Church, articulates this passion far better than I:
But when we have done all that we can, let us pray much more than we ever have done. Oh, for a praying Church… May our prayer meetings be sustained in fervor, and increased in number! Praying is, after all, the chief matter. Praying is the end of preaching. Preaching has its right use, and must never be neglected; but real heart devotion is worth more than anything else. Prayer is the power, which brings God’s blessing down upon all our work.
Thanks for the chance to clear the air, Demian. I hope this helps! May God bless you and your readers as you pray!
Under God’s Mercy, Dr. James Banks.
**Dr. Banks, thank you for your clarification. I confess I now need to go back to your book and re-evaluate my position. I appreciate your mercy and understanding. And I hope others will read the book and respond, too. Like you said, by neglecting this spiritual discipline we are missing something as a result.**
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