History, theology, philosophy and fiction: reading that helps us?

History, theology, philosophy and fiction: reading that helps us?
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The ability to differentiate. By Ellen White

Reading time: 3½ minutes

Many think: If you want to prepare yourself properly for the work of the Lord, you have to collect thick volumes of history and theology. Studying these works helps one learn how to reach people.

Mistake!

When I see the shelves bending under these sometimes barely opened books, I think: Why spend so much money on what is not bread? The sixth chapter of John offers us more than what we can find in such works. Jesus says: "I am the bread of life." "The words that I speak to you are spirit and are life." (John 6,36.63:XNUMX)

When is dealing with history valuable?

But there is also a useful study of history. Sacred history was studied in the schools of the prophets. They followed in the footsteps of the LORD in the accounts that describe his dealings with the peoples. In the same way we can look at God's dealings with the peoples of the earth today. We may see in history the fulfillment of prophecy, study the providential workings of the great reformatory movements, and understand the progression of events by which the nations are forming for the final battle in the great controversy. All too often, however, readers do not study these books to feed their minds and souls, but with the aim of becoming acquainted with philosophers and theologians. They want to convey Christianity to people in educated terms and doctrines.

Practical relevance as a quality benchmark

"Learn from me!" said the greatest teacher the world has ever known. "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart." (Matthew 11,29:XNUMX) Communicating with those who are on the verge of being lost for want of the bread of life, you become intellectually proud not help. The study of these books has taken the place in your hearts that the practical teachings of the great teacher should have. The results of this study are not nutritious. Very little of the study and research so tiring of the mind makes for a successful soul worker.

Easy to understand

Men and women who spend their lives in humble, ordinary work need words as simple as those Jesus taught in his teachings: easy-to-understand words. The Savior came "to preach the gospel to the poor." And it is written: "The great crowd listened to him with joy." (Mark 12,37:XNUMX) Those who teach the truth for today need a deeper understanding of their teachings. The words of the living God are the highest education. The studied formulations, which are supposed to please the taste of the supposedly cultivated, fall short. Only those who eat the bread of life can serve people. Then he gets spiritual strength and is prepared to become a blessing to all walks of life. The godliness, the spiritual energy of the church, is maintained when we eat the bread that has come down from heaven. At the feet of Jesus we can learn how uncomplicated real fear of God is.

Fairy tales and legends?

Fairy tales, sagas and invented stories play a major role in today's education of children and young people. Books of this type are used in schools and are found in many families. How can Christian parents let their children read books so full of untruth? When the children ask about the meaning of these stories, which go completely against what their parents are teaching them, they are told that the stories are not true. But that doesn't negate its bad effect. The ideas in these books lead the children astray. They give a false picture of life and arouse and encourage a desire for the unreal.

diversionary tactics!

Finding books like this everywhere today is a devil of a ruse. The soul enemy wants to distract old and young from the great work of preparing for the future. He wants to sweep our children and youth through the soul-crushing deceptions he is flooding the world with. So he tries to distract them from God's Word and prevent them from discerning the very truths that would otherwise protect them.

Never give children and young people books that distort the truth. If mature minds had nothing to do with such books, they too would be safer.

Aus: Testimonies for the Church 8, 308-309

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