Periodically, I come across fellow believers in Christ who feel that it’s wrong–or at least inadvisable–to read any book other than the Bible. I do not mean to be rude or unkind in this article, but people who feel this way show their ignorance of the Bible itself.
Let me first make the following abundantly clear:
- The Bible is the word of God.
- No book is as important as the Bible.
- Reading, studying, and meditating on the Bible should be your highest literary priority.
- If reading the Bible is not a regular habit for you, then don’t let other books become distractions from the Bible or excuses not to read it.
- God may lead you through a season where He wants you to read only His word — and to essentially fast from all other literature. When He does, embrace that.
Count me among those voices who are not only pro-Bible but who will also tell you to put other books aside if they take away from your Bible reading.
Okay?
That being said…
As a general rule…
You should read the Bible and you should read other books too.
Or, as Charles Spurgeon said: “Visit many good books, but live in the Bible.”
The Bible itself encourages us to acquire new knowledge and wisdom.
- “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.” (Proverbs 1:5, KJV)
- “Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.” (Proverbs 10:14, KJV)
- “The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.” (Proverbs 15:14, KJV)
- “The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.” (Proverbs 18:15, KJV)
Unless you’re prepared to remove the book of Proverbs from the Bible, you must accept that it’s unbiblical and irresponsible to embrace ignorance. And it’s frankly heretical to then consider yourself somehow spiritually virtuous for doing so.
Now, it’s true that genuine, authentic, holistic knowledge begins foundationally with reverence for God (see Proverbs 1:7). It’s also true that knowledge, apart from humility or love, is not pleasing to God (see I Corinthians 8:1 and 13:1-2).
Therefore, we shouldn’t embrace knowledge that sets itself against God or His word. But anyone who understands the Bible knows that God wants His people to acquire knowledge and wisdom.
This isn’t to say that Christians with a higher IQ are inherently better Christians. I’m not saying that at all. God uses people from all walks of life and from varying backgrounds. I’m simply saying that we shouldn’t embrace ignorance.
I like what Christian author Frank Turek says: “Christians don’t get brownie points for being stupid!”
I couldn’t have put it better myself.
God bless you!
**Article slightly revised on 9/7/2023
