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. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
