Monday, July 28, 2008

Lucrative Literature

Do you love reading? As C.S. Lewis wrote, can you not “get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit” your reading pleasure? Many would exclaim, “Yes!” But there are those students for whom reading is a task, a chore — should they persevere in their pursuit of the classics? Again, the answer is yes! Good literature engages, enlightens and instructs the lifetime learner.

First, a good book engages us. Beloved characters, whether real or fiction, take us beyond ourselves to places where we are bound by neither culture nor time. History’s places, people and plights come alive. Imaginations ignite. Learning takes place, while a heart of love and mind of wonder for all of God’s creation develops.

Second, literature exposes us to ideas that we can compare and contrast against the light of Scripture. In pondering good books, our students get practice analyzing and discerning what is good and noble and true in the world verses what is evil, vain, and deceptive. The more we analyze and discuss ideas, the better able we are to see through ideas to their presuppositions, their assumptions and ultimately their worldview — biblically-based or otherwise.
Finally, classic works instruct us in the arts of writing, speaking and living the Christian life. In Luke 6:45, the Bible tells us, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good.” In other words, students who make a habit of reading books that are written eloquently and from a strong moral foundation will mature into thoughtful adults who speak knowledgeably, write eloquently, and live in a manner that works for their good and God’s glory.

So grab that cup of tea, find a quiet corner, and cozy up with a classic read today!

“Those of us who have been true readers all our life seldom fully realize the enormous extension of our being which we owe to authors.
We realize it best when we talk with an unliterary friend. He may be full of goodness and good sense but he inhabits a tiny world. In it, we should be suffocated. The man who is contented to be only himself, is in a prison. My own eyes are not enough for me. I will see through those of others.” ~ C.S. Lewis

excerpt from CC Conversations newsletter

1 comment:

  1. Holy Cow, my friend, you have been busy writing. Love this. I am a voracious reader, but guess what one of the first things to go once I started blogging? My reading. I miss it...I'm off to curl up in bed and read (even if it is 12:07).:)
    Did you write "Ode to Essentials"? Can I use this for my Essentials training with my parents? I am all about giving credit where credit is due...just ask Beth from Pages of our Life.:)

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