Bring the Books Part 1
"The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments." 2 Timothy 4:13
The Apostle Paul knew all about being "quarantined." Only his quarantine wasn't self-imposed, and he wasn't sheltering-in-place. As he wrote his last inspired letter to Timothy, he was in a Roman prison awaiting his execution. He asked Timothy to come before winter and to bring his cloke, the books, and parchments. For as long as he was confined to one place, he wanted to redeem the time through reading and writing.
A popular meme circulating on social media reminds us that while Shakespeare was in quarantine, he wrote King Lear. Sir Isaac Newton spent his quarantine discovering the principles of gravity and calculus. While in prison, John Bunyan wrote over 50 books, including Pilgrim's Progress. While Paul was in prison, he wrote letters that would become books of the New Testament.
I'm only halfway through my first full day at home, and I'm not close to a scientific discovery, and you shouldn't expect to see a bestseller with my name on it either. On the plus side, I've made good progress on Sunday's sermons, walked a mile, and stayed away from the snacks in the pantry.
Paul wanted Timothy to bring the books. With all of his experience, wisdom, and education, Paul still recognized the need to continue reading, learning, and growing. If he needed the books, you and I do too!
I want to share some of my favorite books with you. All of these books are available on Kindle or other e-readers. Today, I'll share some of my favorite biographies with you, and next week I'll share some of my favorite reads on the Christian life, marriage, and leadership.
Reading biographies allows me to travel to the past and learn from the lives of great men and women. Next to the Bible, biographies are my favorite books. I'm always reading one or two.
"Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret" by Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor – I first read this book as a Freshman in college. It changed my life. If you learn the secret of abiding in Christ, it will change yours too.
"To the Golden Shore: The Story of Adoniram Judson" by Courtney Anderson – There are several excellent biographies on Judson. This is my favorite. Few missionaries endured the hardships that Judson did, and yet, his influence continues in Myanmar to this day.
"A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael" by Elisabeth Elliot – This biography has two benefits. The first is learning from the life of Amy Carmichael. That, in and of itself, is worth the price of the book. The second is that you get to view Carmichael through the lens of another great missionary: the peerless Elisabeth Elliot.
"John G. Paton: An Autobiography" by John G. Paton – In his own words, Paton tells the reader about his harrowing mission work among the cannibals in New Hebrides (now Vanuatu). Every Christian should know his story.
"Outsiders: 15 Leaders Who Followed Christ and Changed the World" by Dr. Paul Chappell – This is an excellent book for those who are beginning their journey to understand Christian history. I was especially challenged by the chapters on Peter Waldo and Felix Manz.
"John Adams" and "1776" by David McCullough – I am an unashamed American revolutionary history buff, and McCullough tells the story as well as anyone. In that same vein, I also recommend "Benjamin Franklin: An American Life" by Walter Isaacson.
"Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown – Dr. Mark Rasmussen from West Coast Baptist College has probably given this book to hundreds of preachers. I count myself privileged to be among that number. This is a story of courage and perseverance. I couldn't put it down and finished it in two days.
"Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption" by Laura Hillenbrand. I was unaware of Louis Zamperini's story before I started this book. This, too, is a page-turner. I wept when I got to the end of the book and realized that Zamperini was broken until he came to Christ at a Billy Graham crusade. Caution: Some of the language and themes are inappropriate for younger readers.
"Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery" by Eric Metaxes – More modern Christians need to know the story of Wilberforce. He heroically went against the grain in his culture by crusading against the horrors of the African slave trade. He almost singlehandedly turned the tide of popular opinion in the West against slavery.
"Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy" by Eric Metaxes – Dietrich Bonhoeffer was one of the few German pastors to stand against Adolph Hitler during World War 2. It cost him his life. While I cannot endorse much of Bonhoeffer's theology, I deeply admire his courage and sacrifice.
"41: A Portrait of My Father" by George W. Bush – George W. Bush and I share the same hometown: Midland, Texas. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about familiar places as he told the story of his upbringing in a touching tribute to his father.
I challenge you to read one of these biographies in the next few days and send me an e-mail about how it impacted you. I'm currently reading "Franklin & Washington: The Founding Partnership" by Edward J. Larson. I'm enjoying it immensely. What a privilege to be able to open a book and spend a few hours with a pioneer missionary or a founding father.
I agree with the Apostle Paul. Bring the books!