Learning
to Be a Man
|
|
||||
|
#2 – Learning
God’s Word |
November 1, 2003 |
|
|||
|
You can view this email
on the Internet at: http://www.peacehillfarm.com/LearningToBeAMan/LearningGodsWord.htm I get excited when I look at all the great books
and resources there are to help us learn God’s Word, and my only regret is
that I don’t have (or make) the time to read more of them. A pastor friend once lamented that the men
in his church were not “comfortable readers.”
I’ll be frank with you, I don’t know how we
as men can learn God’s Word without reading.
We need to become readers. And if we are not “comfortable” doing so, we need to put
ourselves on an exercise program to build up our reading muscles. One pastor shared how he had to teach
himself to become a reader by reading western novels at first, and then
moving to fare that is more substantial. I’ve found a couple of
on-line articles that emphasize the importance of being readers. You can check them out down below. Many of the resources listed here, will agree
with the central truths agreed on by all Christians. However, you cannot get too deep into God’s
Word before you start finding some areas where honest Christians
disagree. Be sure to talk with your
Pastor and ask him for his recommendations. |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
One Year Bible http://makeashorterlink.com/?O23A15956 It
probably goes without saying that the only way to become a man of God’s Word
is to read God’s Word. Although there
are many “read through the Bible in a year” programs out there, I found using
the One Year Bible made the
difference for me. Actually having
the day’s reading right in front of me (instead of having to look up verses
in my Bible) made it much easier for me to stay current. I’m currently on
my 3rd time through and am today only 1-1/2 days behind (hope to
be all caught up tonight!) In addition
to becoming more familiar with God’s Word, I have found that each morning
(and some evenings) I have to make the conscious choice to read God’s Word
instead of watching TV or checking my e-mail.
Making this choice to make God and His Word the priority for my time,
has done wonders in itself in drawing me closer to Him. In addition, I find myself beginning to
enjoy God’s presence even in the books of Job and Jeremiah! |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
Software |
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Logos/Libronix Bible Software Perhaps
one of the best Bible software packages out there, with hundreds of resources
that can be added to your digital library, all
integrated together. You
can even get a free copy of this excellent software with King James Bible and
several reference works at www.FreeBibleSoftware.com |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Laridian Bible Software for Handhelds http://www.laridian.com/default.asp?ref=apwzrrsnx I’ve been using Laridian’s MyBible for Palm
handhelds for a couple years now and I wouldn’t be without it. I currently have 6 versions (ESV, KJV,
NASB, NIV, NKJV and TNIV) on my Palm as well as their Daily Reader program,
which allows me to turn any of the six versions into a pocket version of my
One Year Bible. If you have a handheld
with available memory, I recommend you get this. You will never be without your Bible again. |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
Web Sites |
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
This
web site is part of the larger Christian Counterculture
Project. They have a great
collection of good books to help develop your mind for the glory of
Christ. And
not only that, but I’ve found their prices to be the best on the net! You can spend many profitable moments
browsing through their book lists (arranged by categories), and you can sign
up for their free monthly e-mail newsletter (“The Right Books”) which
highlights new releases and special features.
This is where Haycock bought the copies of Doug Wilson’s Future Men, which were
given out at camp. You will not
find every Christian book here (no fictional romance or Left Behind series),
but what you will find is an excellent collection of some of the best
Christian books available today. |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
Christian CounterCulture |
www.christiancounterculture.com
Christian
CounterCulture is a Christian thought-provoking e-mail newsletter. Each issue focuses on a particular subject
and usually includes three or four articles.
The articles are often entire chapters, complete in themselves, of
larger works. So not only do you get a
thorough treatment of any given subject, if you like
what you read, you can easily find more by ordering the book itself. Christian CounterCulture is a sister
website of The Discerning Reader. All
past issues are viewable on the web, a wealth of encouraging reading! |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
beginnings |
http://store.yahoo.com/discerning/beginnings.html This
is a list of books, which The Discerning Reader recommends for getting you
started on your journey for becoming a man of the Word. Although I have not read them all myself,
you cannot go too wrong with any of the books DR recommends. Not much fluff
here! |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
basic training |
http://store.yahoo.com/discerning/tenesbook.html
Here
is their list of books for gaining a basic grasp of the Bible’s
teaching on the major issues of the faith.
You’ll find some of the finest Christian literature
available, both modern and classic, represented on this list. |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
advanced training |
http://store.yahoo.com/discerning/adtraintenes.html Here
is their list of solid food for the mature.
Not for the faint of heart. This list will keep many a man busy for a
lifetime. |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
Books |
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin http://www.cvbbs.com/inventory.php?target=indiv&bookid=3742 This
is the standard two-volume translation of the Institutes. This is the
work that set the stage for the protestant church’s understanding of God’s
Word for centuries. Originally written
for new believers, its depth can still challenge seminarians. |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Institutes of the Christian Religion (Abridged Edition) by John Calvin http://store.yahoo.com/discerning/calin151abed.html “If you have always wanted to read Calvin's Institutes, but find those two large volumes rather daunting, take note of
this new abridgment. Calvin scholar Donald McKim has done an outstanding job
"condensing" the original without taking away from its original
flow. In fact, most readers will benefit far more from the present volume
than reading the original. An essential work to read, as Calvin is the
outstanding representative of historic, Protestant theology.” – The
Discerning Reader |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Systematic Theology by Louis Berkhof http://store.yahoo.com/discerning/systheolloui.html The classic twentieth-century work in
Reformed Theology. A "staple"
which lays the proper foundations for a lifelong pursuit of rich, theological
study. Be sure and have this one... |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Manual of Christian Doctrine by
Louis Berkhof http://www.cvbbs.com/inventory.php?target=indiv&bookid=1739 This
edition is a simpler edition of his volume above written for High School and
College students. |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Summary of Christian Doctrine by
Louis Berkhof http://www.cvbbs.com/inventory.php?target=indiv&bookid=2717 A further simplification. Would that mean that this is written for Jr. High students? It is interesting to note that this was the edition that a pastor friend bought for his wife,
and on his recommendation, I have bought for my wife to read. |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem http://store.yahoo.com/discerning/systheolwayg.html Although
I do not have this book, it is listed as the first
book on The Discerning Reader’s Advanced Training booklist, and it was just
recommended by my Sunday School teacher this morning. So I figured I’d
go ahead and list it. Grudem’s work is a first-rate introduction to the more
technical world of Systematic Theology.
An excellent place for advanced studies to begin.
– The Discerning Reader. |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
Magazines |
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Modern Reformation http://www.modernreformation.com Good, thoughtful articles. Has encouraged me to re-think
my position in many areas. Comes out 6 times a year giving you plenty of time to work
through all the articles. Their
website includes study guides for each issue to help you work through the
articles alone or with another man.
The study guide might be good for going through the articles with your
wife as well. |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
Articles |
|
|
|||
|
|
|
||||
|
|
“Leaders are Readers” http://www.patriarch.com/article.php?sid=41&mode=threaded&order=0 “Any man who is serious about becoming the spiritual leader God calls him to be will be a reader. If nothing else, he will be a reader of the Book of Books, the Bible. But if he wants to be fully biblical in his use of the Bible he will also be a reader of other books. Books are a natural and inevitable fruit of the Bible itself.” |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
“Flex
the brain” by Gene Edward Veith
http://www.worldmag.com/world/issue/11-01-03/cultural_2.asp I
just came across this article as I was writing the introduction to this
letter. The words, “ |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
New Releases |
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Family Man, Family Leader by Philip Lancaster http://www.visionforum.com/booksandtapes/productinfo.asp?number=78553 Written
by the editor of Patriarch Magazine, this book is slated
to arrive from the printers this month.
The second chapter entitled, “Whatever Happened to Families?” was published in Patriarch Magazine several months
ago. It is one of the best articles I’ve read. Phil has
graciously allowed me to post it on my website for any of you to read or
download. You can find it at: www.PeaceHillFarm.com/LearningToBeAMan/WhateverHappenedToFamilies.pdf |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
Next
month I’ll be sharing some of the many resources
available to help us teach our families God’s Word. May God be glorified as we learn together
to be men of God’s Word. Your fellow learner, |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
||||
|
“Learning
to Be a Man” is a free email publication that will be sent to anyone who asks. Your feedback and comments are
encouraged. For those who like to
filter their email, the subject of each issue of "Learning to Be a
Man" will begin with "[PPK]".
If you want to be dropped from the list, just
let me know. |
|
||||
