Reading is Fundamental

Not everyone can be an avid reader. It is understandable that many have a personality that is more prone to doing rather than reading. But, many, especially around the time of high school, begin to develop very poor habits with regard to reading. Usually around this time, young adults fall in love with CliffsNotes or other short cuts that help them gain a cursory knowledge of their subject material without having to really think about it themselves. Unfortunately, these habits die hard.

Students go on to college and a whole world of knowledge through the words of beloved writers is opened up to them. They are told about classical and modern literature and required to read Plato, Aristotle, Hemingway and others. They are encouraged to learn about art, history and religion at the feet of the most important thinkers in the world's history. Books complete and unabridged with the writings of Charles Darwin, Jonathan Edwards and philosophers Locke and Hume are at their fingertips. But still they choose to read synopsis or other people's opinions and interpretations of those works.

It is understandable. Bad habits breed bad habits. Eventually, the choices become so daunting that it seems impossible to even know where to start. Not to mention the reader's insecurity surrounding their own comprehension of the writer's conclusions pushes them even further away from primary sources. Especially when the pressure of dialoging and debating with other students knocks on their door. Heaven forbid being intellectually honest and confessing that they have not read whatever it is that is all the rage.

To a certain extent, getting away with this is not a big deal. Reading up on what others think about Where the Red Fern Grows is not going to condemn you to a life of misguided notions that would affect others to their detriment. But, I find that in this country especially, these habits of laziness when it comes to The Bible have brought about horrors of interpretation and application that have set many individuals, communities and beyond back farther than we could dare imagine.

Part of the problem here, outside the lack of primary source reading, is the feelings of insecurity many feel towards The Bible. Unsure of where to even begin, many, choose to let dust settle on the cover of their copy, probably received while a teenager after going through some form of local church "confirmation" class, and rely on others for their thoughts and ideas about this vast book. Leaving to others the riches this book holds.

However, if we are serious about understanding Christianity, religion and fundamental aspects of our nation's understanding of faith, we all have to start somewhere. Eventually, you have to pick a book and go with it. Choosing one of the Gospels is always a safe bet. But, if you are all for following in the footsteps of the many that have gone before you, why not try to begin with some of the best loved and most read passages from the most popular books scripture has to offer. Hopefully, this will give you a great place to start. Any of these can jump start a love affair that can last a lifetime. They will also answer some of the most lingering and profound questions many that get their information second hand have a hard time answering. Enjoy, but remember that the point is to read. Don't just stop here, read the Bible in context and in its entirety. This is just to get you started: Top 10 Books in order based on the average number of times every verse is referenced as reported at www.topverses.com : Ephesians; James; Titus; 1John; 2 Peter; John; Philippians; Colossians; Romans; 1Peter