The Bible and Books - 02
Teachers write books
This leads me to the next point. I have heard some say, “I only read the Bible!” They think this is the way to keep their thoughts from being contaminated by the cloudy impurity of other men’s “interpretations.”
Yet this is wrongheaded on two fronts. First, a man who trusts himself is leaning on a very weak staff. He either forgets or does not know, the prophet’s warning, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) It is true that God wishes to communicate truth to you and me. However, it is also obvious that we are our own worst enemy when it comes to interpreting truth.
We are mud puddles like the rest of men. We are not merely ill informed but we lie to ourselves. So how can we expect success interpreting the Bible when our own hearts get in the way?
Second, when a man refuses to read other books he is in essence refusing to learn from other teachers. In addition, a younger man is likely less reliable an interpreter than older men who have been around the block a few times. These others can help him read God’s Word more intelligently and honestly.
Look. Books are simply teacher’s thoughts written down. And since the Scripture recommends, there is safety in a multitude of counselors, it would be a mistake to refuse to listen to the voice of our teachers. (Proverbs 11:14; Proverbs 5:13) Certainly, Jesus sat in the midst of the teachers and listened to them and asked them questions. (Luke 2:46) Further, God has given to His Church some to be teachers. (Ephesians 4:11)