Read like a Christian

[Matthias]

I’ve recently been involved in casual conversation about what Christians should / shouldn’t read. Some Christians in these conversations have been broad-minded. Some Christians in these conversations have been narrow-minded.

”Have you ever wondered what it means to read like a Christian? Surely it means more than being a Christian and reading. There are precious realities that shape and season what and how we read. Let me commend five principles that help and challenge me to read like a Christian.”

(Samuel James, “Read Like a Christian: Five Principles for What and How”)

Read Like a Christian: Five Principles for What and How

Not all reading is Christian reading — even when the books are about Jesus. So, how might we bring our literary lives under the lordship of Christ?

www.desiringgod.org

 

[The Learner]

Study Cultures, History, anything related to the surrroundings that the human authors wrote books of the Bible. Then, read each text in context hundreds of times before reading any books.

 

[Matthias]

Study Cultures, History, anything related to the surrroundings that the human authors wrote books of the Bible. Then, read each text in context hundreds of times before reading any books.

That’s an impressive recommendation. I wish, in hindsight, that I had followed it.

How many Christians (let alone newbies) do you know who have read the Bible hundreds of times?

 

[Matthias]

“Are you struggling to maintain a consistent habit of daily Bible reading?

You’re not alone.

Many people find it challenging to stay committed to this spiritual discipline.

The good news is that there are practical steps you can take to improve your daily Bible reading habit and make it a fulfilling part of your everyday routine.

Developing a consistent and meaningful daily Bible reading habit is essential for spiritual growth and connection with God.

It can be challenging to maintain this discipline, but with the right strategies and mindset, it is achievable.

Here are 10 practical ways to enhance your daily Bible reading habit and experience a deeper connection with God. …”

(Aaron Hall, “10 ways to improve your daily Bible reading habit”)

10 ways to improve your daily Bible reading habit

Here are 10 practical ways to enhance your daily Bible reading habit and experience a deeper connection with God

www.christianpost.com

 

[Matthias]

“The Bible teaches us that we should meditate on the words of God (Psalm 1:2). It also teaches that, ‘whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things (Philippians 4:8). In other words, other books that encourage holy living can be helpful in our walk with Christ. Commentaries, Bible studies, devotional literature - there are many writings that can deepen our understanding of Scripture.

Further, other books are helpful for many practical areas of life. …

Third, some diction is useful for both learning and enjoyment. As long as the book honors the Lord, a novel can communicate truth, just as Jesus did in His parables. …

Fourth, some books can help us to better understand and reach out to those who do not know Christ. …

Of course, there are some books that Christians should not read. …

Finally, it should be clear that the Bible is the most important book and should receive highest priority among Christians. …”

Should we read other books, or just the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Should we read other books, or just the Bible? Is it good to read Christian books in addition to reading the Bible?

www.gotquestions.org

 

[Matthias]

“4 Thoughts on Reading the Bible

1. Read the Bible with an earnest desire to understand it.

2. Read the Scriptures with a simple, childlike faith and humility.

3. Read the Word with a spirit of obedience and self-application.

4. Read the Holy Scriptures every day.”

(J.C. Ryle)

x.com

x.com

 

[JohnDB]

“4 Thoughts on Reading the Bible

1. Read the Bible with an earnest desire to understand it.

2. Read the Scriptures with a simple, childlike faith and humility.

3. Read the Word with a spirit of obedience and self-application.

4. Read the Holy Scriptures every day.”

(J.C. Ryle)

x.com

x.com

When you are in love with another person you hang on EVERY SINGLE WORD they speak to you. You ruminate on it because you believe they love you too and they tell you how wonderful they think you are and how much they love you....what they like and don't like and just general conversation.

Guess what?
The Bible is God's love letter to mankind for those that believe. (To those who don't believe it's nonsense and it wasn't written to them...and they hate such writings and discredit them at any cost)

That's why we do more than a cursory, flat reading. We pore over every single word and sentence to ensure we understand everything written there. Ruminating and stewing on every little bit of it.

 

[The Learner]

“Are you struggling to maintain a consistent habit of daily Bible reading?

You’re not alone.

Many people find it challenging to stay committed to this spiritual discipline.

The good news is that there are practical steps you can take to improve your daily Bible reading habit and make it a fulfilling part of your everyday routine.

Developing a consistent and meaningful daily Bible reading habit is essential for spiritual growth and connection with God.

It can be challenging to maintain this discipline, but with the right strategies and mindset, it is achievable.

Here are 10 practical ways to enhance your daily Bible reading habit and experience a deeper connection with God. …”

(Aaron Hall, “10 ways to improve your daily Bible reading habit”)

10 ways to improve your daily Bible reading habit

Here are 10 practical ways to enhance your daily Bible reading habit and experience a deeper connection with God

www.christianpost.com

At times it was had to keep up. Now, we do daily reading. The Park revivals are in full swing. We have already brought more than 20,000 to Jesus. We have many discipleship programs in progress. Weekly, I do training of others. Ask both Jesus and the Holy Spirit to join you in prayer. That is the secret of success in things related to G_d. Romans 8

 

[The Learner]

I confused my wife this mouring by reading from my Hebrew Daniel. Opps.
I think Daniel was written in Aramaic.

 

[JohnDB]

I confused my wife this mouring by reading from my Hebrew Daniel. Opps.
I think Daniel was written in Aramaic.

Daniel is written in 2 languages. Both Hebrew (royal or Torah style) and Aramaic. Even Nebachadnezzar wrote a section in Daniel.

 

[Behold]

Philippians 4:8 is a sort of "guide" regarding " Christian reading material".

However, you have free will to do what you want to do, but, try to READ what is good for your mind, if the material is "secular".

The Mind becomes a garbage can, if you put garbage in it., so, put only healthy food and spiritual food and uplifting food and useful food in there, MOST OF ALL.

 

[The Learner]

Tip: write via snail mail to authors you like. Sometimes they will send you a copy of their books. If they are a professor, thru the college otherwise by the publisher.

 

[Matthias]

Tip: write via snail mail to authors you like.

That’s a good tip. Unfortunately, most of the authors I like are deceased.

Sometimes they will send you a copy of their books. If they are a professor, thru the college otherwise by the publisher.

 

[Matthias]

From the “Christian Book Twitter” feed -

“25 Rules for Christian readers:

1. Reading Scripture always comes first.
2. Make reading a daily part of your life.
3. Only read high-quality books.
4. Never read to puff up.
5. Approach every book with humility.
6. Read the historic creeds, confessions & catechisms.
7. Prefer old books over new books.
8. Engage with other worldviews.
9. Read a wide range of literature.
10. it’s okay not to finish a book.
11. Always have an open Bible when reading other books.
12. Read the classics.
13. Mark your books up.
14. Prefer books that “bleed the Bible”.
15. Explain & teach what you’re reading to others.
16. Ask your pastor for book recommendations.
17. Progressively read more challenging books.
18. Re-read books that have impacted you.
19. When you can, read out loud.
20. Some reading is better than no reading.
21. Read with other Christians.
22. Plan which books you intend to read, ahead of time.
23. Always budget for new books in accordance with your means.
24. Take notes & summarize your reads.
25. Never stop reading.”

(Aden Russell)

https://x.com/adenreesrussell/status/1960234363070902685?s=46&t=T64e94h2unfHH-VO4i01zA

Don’t become a slave to Mr. Russell’s rules but consider making some of them a habit to improve your Christian reading experience.

 

[Matthias]

“What’s ONE Christian book that changed your life other than the Bible?”

https://x.com/jcryle/status/1979693727380865397?s=61

 

[Matthias]

Christology in the Making: A New Testament Inquiry into the Origins of the Doctrine of the Incarnation, written by James D.G.Dunn.

 

[amigo de christo]

That’s an impressive recommendation. I wish, in hindsight, that I had followed it.

How many Christians (let alone newbies) do you know who have read the Bible hundreds of times?

And yet they do exist .
What would you say if i told you of a man
that was not raised in church .
He had heard the gospel several times as a child but went his way in the darkness .
Then one over nineteen years ago GOD drew that man and put that man into ONLY the bible .
And what great joy and hunger HE gave that man for to read and to learn that bible .
And that man has remained in that bible reading daily and also with others
They exist my friend . JESUS has the sheep and TRUTH they do love and a mixed subsitute for truth they will not eat upon .
But its never too late for any who calls upon HIM to return to JUST the reading of the HOLY BIBLE
daily for themselves . OH how much could quickly have been made clear if one would do just this .

 

[Matthias]

And yet they do exist .

Yes. It’s a fact that they do.

What would you say if i told you of a man
that was not raised in church .
He had heard the gospel several times as a child but went his way in the darkness .
Then one over nineteen years ago GOD drew that man and put that man into ONLY the bible .
And what great joy and hunger HE gave that man for to read and to learn that bible .
And that man has remained in that bible reading daily and also with others

I would say that God dealt with the man in the way the man needed to be dealt with.

I’ve read many of your posts. If you collected your posts and published them in a book, would you advise me and your other readers against reading your book?

They exist my friend . JESUS has the sheep and TRUTH they do love and a mixed subsitute for truth they will not eat upon .

Many writings are set before us. This platform could be taken as an example - filled with a mixture of truth and error. Eating upon the posts - the combined messages on this platform thought of as a book - is done by all members and guests.

But its never too late for any who calls upon HIM to return to JUST the reading of the HOLY BIBLE
daily for themselves . OH how much could quickly have been made clear if one would do just this .

The advice I offer to my readers - those who are reading the “book” of messages I post here and elsewhere - is to read widely, deeply, thoughtfully, and critically; first and foremost, read the Bible daily.

 

[amigo de christo]

Yes. It’s a fact that they do.



I would say that God dealt with the man in the way the man needed to be dealt with.

I’ve read many of your posts. If you collected your posts and published them in a book, would you advise me and your other readers against reading your book?



Many writings are set before us. This platform could be taken as an example - filled with a mixture of truth and error. Eating upon the posts - the combined messages on this platform thought of as a book - is done by all members and guests.



The advice I offer to my readers - those who are reading the “book” of messages I post here and elsewhere - is to read widely, deeply, thoughtfully, and critically; first and foremost, read the Bible daily.

i agree with your first statment .
lets examine your third , cause the second one is also right but can be easily miunderstood .
You wrote that you have examined many of my posts . that if you collected my posts and published them in a book
would i advise you and other readers Against reading your book.
This is what i would do , as it has always been my case . TEST all things i say against the ONE BOOK i been
begging all to get back into . THE BIBLE . not only that but i never have had the desire to put it in a book .
NOT that this would be wrong to do . AND if i did put it into a book
GUESS WHAT BOOK i would be telling every man woman and child ever born of a woman to TEST IT AGAINST
. BIBLE . IF i or anyone ever writes a book , as at times i myself have read through the pages of many books
YET PUT THEM DOWN F AST , woe woe woe THERE IS a reason i put them down , IT HAS to be tested against the bible
and not what men say about the bible , BUT THE BIBLE ITSELF .
Are we seeing yet that which i have been saying all along . BIBLE TIME folks .
WHY DO YOU THINK there is no book i have read , BESIDES the bible that i could even dare to recommend to men .
cause the ones i did read FAILED . that dont mean EVERY book every man ever wrote is false
BUT IT DO MEAN THE ONES I READ ARE FALSE . CEPT THE BIBLE . i hope this helps .
as far as what you wrote about eating upon posts . PARD just cause i or anyoen else reads my or anothers posts
DONT MEAN THEY FED ON SUCH . FEEDERS AGREE WITH what is written . Keep asking questions .
as for your last response , much truth is in that one . FIRST and foremost LET US READ and love and learn
THAT BIBLE well . always test all things written . SO allow me some parting words
BIBLE TIME and read it NOT through the lens of men who we think taught us truth
but rather start AFRESH , Not only today , BUT RIGHT NOW , and yes test all things men say , do , write
against the TRUTH in scripture . I do hope this helps you my friend .

 

[Matthias]