I recently had a conversation about how we recommend books. The starting point was a request for suggestions about books on the resurrection. I said that I thought NT Wright’s “The resurrection of the Son of God” was worth a look.
The other person asked if I would recommend it to anyone or whether I’d have reservations about a potential “breadcrumbs effect”. Would the book lead readers on to some of Wright’s less helpful stuff.
You see, Tom Wright has some iffy views on things like justification. I certainly would not be recommending his stuff in this area for anyone to read.
However, I would encourage people to read what he has to say on a number of key matters including the historicity of the New Testament accounts and an understanding of Jesus’ mission.
Would I recommend to everyone? Well no but that’s because the stuff he publishes as NT rather than Tom is not targeted at a popular readership level so won’t be accessible to all.
However, we should be able to encourage Christians to read widely. First, we want them to read books where the content is good even if we don’t agree with all an author has to say. Second, it is helpful for some to even read books they disagree with, to stretch their thinking.
It is important then to understand that a book recommendation is just that. If I suggest a book, I’m not saying I agree with everything the author has said and done. I’m not even saying I agree with everything in the book. Indeed, it is important to know why specifically I am recommending it.
However, I think this also requires a culture shift. It means recognising that too often we put individuals on pedestals and treat everything they say as gospel. We also demonize others due to differences and completely overlook them.
There are as it happens, authors out there who I think are brilliant, godly, gifted Bible teachers and pastors but I would not recommend a particular book by them for whatever reason.
We need to learn to be discerning readers.
Faithroots 