We’ve recently concluded our Wednesday evening group discussions of Jeremiah Burroughs’ The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment. I was encouraged by the broad participation and wanted to share a few reflections on reading this kind of literature.
Most of us can benefit from a challenging read. The general consensus: Burroughs is hard to read. There may be numerous reasons why this is good for us and we should continue to do it. First, as a culture, we’re rapidly losing our ability to think deeply. If things don’t blink, scroll, swipe, or make noise, we lose interest in seconds. In that regard, Burroughs is like bicep curls for an atrophied brain. Second, in my opinion, many modern authors tend to be as shallow as they are easy to read. Some of the most popular Christian writers are like cotton candy—no chewing required. On the other hand, authors like yesterday’s Burroughs and today’s Piper demand digestion. Some of the most beneficial Christian literature we will ever read will require us to read sentences and paragraphs with focused attention...more than once.
There are usually bones to spit out. Did any of us agree with everything in Burroughs’ book? I certainly didn’t. In fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book other than the Bible that I’ve agreed with 100%. A natural question would be, then why read books other than the Bible?
First, books like Burroughs’ Contentment and MacArthur’s The Gospel According to Jesus are simply biblical teaching. In many cases, they are sermons re-packaged as books. We should read them because the Bible endorses…biblical teaching (Matt 28:19-20; Eph 4:11-14; 1 Tim 2:7; 2 Tim 2:2; Heb 5:12).
Second, we should read books the same way we listen to sermons…with discernment (Acts 17:11). Discernment must be trained (Heb 5:14). That doesn’t mean we regard every teaching we encounter with deep suspicion. Yet, we can assume that even the best of teachers/authors are fallible, and so the Scriptures must be our final measuring stick for any teaching. Reading books like Burroughs’ gives us practice exercising biblical discernment.
Third and related, when we encounter something objectionable in a book, it’s an occasion to determine, “do I really understand the Scriptures on this point?” We may find after investigation that we were wrong about the Scriptures. On the other hand, we may have a greater assurance that we were right. Either way, encountering that “bone” results in a surer grasp of the Word.
So, there are usually bones to spit out, but that’s to be expected and those bones benefit us in the end.
There are usually gems to be discovered. Particularly with the deep-thinking Puritan authors, there is almost always some nugget of gold to be had somewhere in the pages. It is highly unlikely that we will read an entire Puritan work, come to the end, and say, “I had all that nailed already.” Even if there were no completely new truths discovered, as NT believers we need fresh reminders of old ones (2 Tim 1:6; Jude 5; 1 Cor 15:1; 2 Pet 1:13; 3:1). The Puritans tend to render things in exceptionally memorable or striking ways. The time therefore is never wasted.
One gem for me in Burroughs’ Contentment was this: “A gracious heart is contented by the melting of his will and desires into God’s will and desires; by this means he gets contentment” (2.VI.). When my will and desires are conformed to his, my circumstances can change in any number of ways, but I will be content, for I want what He wants.
Reading with others has great benefits. I’ve read many, many books alone, including many Puritans. It’s just better to read with others. Here’s why…
Christian fellowship is a blessing regardless of the format. When fellowship is truly Christian fellowship, that is, when it is centered on our common faith in Christ, the time will be well spent and beneficial.
Others catch things I missed and understand things more clearly than I did. This was especially the case with Burroughs’ book. There were passages I didn’t understand, missed the point altogether, or just didn’t remember. Yet, those same passages were clear and striking to others whose comments made them more helpful to me. What a blessing!
My reading and insights are occasionally helpful to others. We may usually focus on the benefits we receive from such groups, but do we really consider the value added by our own participation? Without any one of the brothers in my group, the Spring wouldn’t have been the same. I trust they would say the same thing about my participation. We all have something to give in such settings, which is why we should always think about our responsibility to participate for the benefit of others.
Relationships always grow stronger. Who among the participants can say they don’t have a greater familiarity and Christian friendship with their fellow readers than before we started? Time invested with other believers is always exactly that…an investment. I know several brothers now like I didn’t before and I’m known by them like I wasn’t before. We’ve prayed for one another and been encouraged by deep discussion of eternal things. Again…time well spent.
In closing, let me encourage you to read hard things, think deeply, and do so with others. Things tend to slow down in the Summer. Why not reach out to one, two, or three others to read something else over the next couple of months? You won’t regret it.
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