RECOMMENDED BOOKS FOR GOSPEL PREACHERS Paul wrote to Timothy, "The cloke that I left at troas with Carpus, when thou camest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments" (II Tim 4.13). It has been suggested that "the parchments" is a reference to the inspired Scriptures. This may be correct. We certainly know that the Bible is the Book of Books, the greatest book in all the world. The Bible is the book needed to guide one down the uneven pathway of the life and through the various vicissitudes of this world. If correct on "the parchments," Paul was nearing his death and desired God's word to be brought. What better book could one have as one is closing out his life? The writings of Shakespeare, Plato, Emerson, Ingersol, Twain, Hemingway, etc., all fall far short of one's needs in life and death. The Bible must be the preacher's companion in life. There are many great books, but a preacher must study and meditate upoon the Bible first, last and always. Paul said to Timothy, "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine: continue in them for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee" (I Tim 4.16). Paul commanded Timothy to "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (II Tim 2.15). Preachers of the gospel, neglect all other books if necessary; but do not neglect the word of God. One cannot preach what he does not know, and one cannot know what he does not study. So, keep your Bible open upon your desk and fill your heart and life with it. the second book that I would recommend is a good standard english dictionary. Keep it on your desk or within arm's reach of your place of study. refer to it often. If in doubt about a word, look it up. When I think of a dictionary, I think of a story told by my friend and brother, Melvin Elliott. He said a preacher was sitting on his porch one day, looking up a word in the dictionary when a friend came by and asked him if he were looking up those big words he was going to use in his sermon the next Sunday. The preacher responded, "No, I'm looking up the words I used this past sunday." Along this line preachers need to remember that we are in the business of communicating the truth of God's word to others. We are not in the business of trying to confound or confuse our audiences. Therefore, use a simple word when a simple word will do. Use the right word in writing or speaking, not a thirty-second cousin once-removed word in teaching others the gospel. One of the great characteristics of brother N. B. Hardeman was his ability to teach the truth in a way that all could understand. Right beside one's dictionary and a companion to it should be a good English grammar. I have been blessed to have sat at the feet of good English teachers. My high school English teacher, Miss Charlotte Smith, laid the foundation. Eris Benson taught me freshman English in College. Roy Hearn worked on me at Memphis School of Preaching. Nadene Welch, the secretary for the church for over 50 years, ahs helped me. I continue to study English grammar, punctuation and syntax. Each Sunday The Indianapolis Star carries a syndicated column by James J. Kilpatrick called "Writers' Art" that has been invaluable in my efforts to be a better writer. So, keep a good English grammar book nearby and refer to it often. A good concordance is a necessiry in studying the Bible. I have three that I recommend: Young's Analytical, Strong's Exhaustive and Cruden's Concordance. Each has its strengths. These are books every gospel preacher needs. Other books are valuable, too, but these should be obtained and used first. Commentaries by members of the church, as well as sectarians, at times may be profitable. But one should study for himself first. To hear and read what others say is good, but one should not swallow all that is said by others (Isa. 8.20; Ac 17.11). Be discerning. Learn the word of God first; and, then, one will be able to "spit out the weeds" and digest the good. | ||||||||