⏱️ Estimated Reading Time: 2 min read
Christians are called to be a people of a particular book, namely the Bible, which is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, correction and rebuke (2 Tim. 3:16). Godly saints from the early church to the present have all been readers. Men like Charles Spurgeon, John Owen, Augustine, Athanasius, John Piper, John MacArthur, Justin Martyr, Matt Chandler, Jonathan Edwards, and John Calvin were all men who read godly books.
In my teenager years, I started to devour godly books, a practice that continues to this day. Reading quality godly books has been a means the Lord has used for my spiritual growth in Christ. Reading the Bible and godly books helps keep the people of God be grounded in the Word of God, even as they grow in understanding of the Bible and the grace of God.
Reading is important for knowing and making known Jesus. The saints of old produced godly books. Christians must continue this practice today for the purpose of advancing the Gospel to a lost and dying world. The people of God should read godly books because Jesus calls His people to love Him with all their hearts, minds and strength (Matthew 22:39-40). Christian living requires that God’s people think Christianly. The people of God are a peculiar people who derive their beliefs from a particular book – the Bible. Christians should first read the Word of God and then utilize godly Christian books to help them grow in Christ.
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah, and lives in beautiful Southern Oregon. He is a writer, editor, and speaker who loves Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology.
Dave serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries and the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine. He is the Host and Producer of the Equipping You in Grace Podcast and a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word.
He is the author of The War of Worldviews: Truth, Lies, and the Battle for the Christian Mind (Theology for Life, 2026), Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age and The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021).
You can connect with Dave on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, or subscribe to his newsletter.
When he is not engaged in ministry work, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, going to movies, sharing a meal at a favorite restaurant, or playing a round of golf with friends. He is also a voracious reader, particularly of Reformed theology and the Puritans, and is often found working through a stack of new books from a wide range of Christian publishers.
Dave earned his M.A.R. and M.Div. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
