Sorting my theological library

A month ago we moved house. It’s not really the most enjoyable of experiences but is something that has to be done when the time comes. The process of moving house meant that i had to move all the books that i have.  I’m an avid reader and aim to read a book each fortnight (on average over the course of a year). The “industry” i’m in also lends itself to be around books. Ministry requires reading, preaching requires reading, studying requires reading. This means i have a growing collecting of around 700 books on the shelves and when the library reaches this point it’s probably time to get it sorted out.

I did toy with the idea of working the Dewey system or using the Library of Congress numbers but decided that might be a bit extreme. In the end the best advice came from Andy Naselli’s post on “Why you should organise your theological library and a way how”. I’ve adjusted some of what he’s suggested but used the main categories to organise mine. My library is obviously not as big as his so it probably doesn’t need as much detail as what he has laid out. But here it is:

1. Biblical Theology

• Languages (NT Greek)
• Hermenuetics (how to interpret the Bible etc.)
• Commentaries (on each book of the Bible)
• OT & NT introductions, theologies, and overviews

2. Historical Theology

• Biographies
• Church & Christian History
• “Works” by old dead guys

3. Systematic Theology

• Bible doctrine (the sort of topics in a general systematic theology book)
• Apologetics
• Philosophy

4. Practical Theology

• Christian Living (all those great books people pick up at the front of Christian bookstores )
• Preaching
• Leadership
• Youth Ministry
• Church
• Pastoral Ministry
• Missions

At this stage all sub-categories are mixed in together in the broad categories. I’m not convinced this works for the Practical Theology section at this stage but it’ll take too much time sorting it out at the moment.

Comments? Suggestions? How do you sort yours?

the discerning book buyer

I find great pleasure in looking through bookstores – call me odd, but that’s what i like to do sometimes. Other people have their hobbies and various traits, well, mine is bookstore perusing, which most likely leads to book buying.

As i walked out of my local Christian bookstore this morning it struck me that one really needs to be discerning in what they pick up. (I must admit that i went to the store b/c it had a 20% off sale and i knew i could find some bargains somewhere in there) I feel that when i walk into this said bookstore that i know where to go to find the quality Christian books – emphasis quality. To some that will seem like an oxymoron – a Christian bookstore actually selling ‘quality’ Christian book, are there such things!? Well, in fact there are but one has to be discerning in looking for them and know what ‘quality’ means.

I find myself sometimes wondering whether other people in the store are aware of what is quality or not. I don’t mean to judge, but i suppose i do. When i see someone with a book by Joel Osteen i want to talk to them about what they’re really buying. When i see someone looking at the commentary section i want to point them to the commentaries i have found most useful and which are clearly evangelical (Tip: Go to Best Commentaries to find how they rate). When i walk into the shop and see a few people looking over the latest books, the ones right at the front i want to tell them that there are better ones down the back. While people are trying to choose a bible for their grandchild i want to let them know that it’d be better for them to have an ESV over a KJV, and if they’re a teenager then don’t get them those silly “teen” bibles, get them the real thing and help them learn for themselves what the bible says about sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll.

Having said all this i realise that it is hard. Going into an unfamiliar bookstore where there are a whole range of books that are deemed ‘Christian’ makes everything seem like its OK. I mean if the Christian bookstore has for sale “The Jesus Diet” then it must an OK book, mustn’t it?

The fact is, no. Just like everything one reads, watches, listens to, and does, care and discernment needs to be there. My encouragement would be to talk to your pastor or a Christian friend that you know reads a bit and ask them what they recommend and what they think you should stay away from. After all, it’s a dangerous world out there in “Christian bookstore land”.

book endings

I recently read The Associate by John Grisham. It is classic Grisham where you can’t put the book down and the storyline keeps moving at a fast pace. Despite this, however, i was disappointed in the ending. I expected it to go on for a little longer and tie up those loose ends but it didn’t. In a matter of only a few pages the guy that was in trouble had found his way out, the ‘baddies’ had all disappeared and everything was well with the world. It seemed a little rushed, a little hurried, and didn’t quite come off. Gotta hate when that happens.

Are there any books you’ve read recently where the end of the book almost ruins the whole thing?

books i read on holiday

I’ve recently been on holiday for two weeks and during that time had some great rest and a lot of reading. The following is the list of books i read during that time. I might blog about a few of them over the coming weeks – we’ll see.

The Prodigal God by Tim Keller.

Living the Resurrection by Eugene Peterson.

Desire and Deceit by Al Mohler.

Women, Authority & the Bible edited by Alvera Mickelsen.

Total Church by Tim Chester & Steve Timmis.

Shattered Icon by Bill Napier.

The Disappearance of God by Al Mohler.

Storm Warning by Billy Graham.