Reading Old Books-Lewis

Welcome to Every Thought Captive, I’m Phil Steiger.

Not counting the Bible, how old was the last book you read?  Chances are it was written in the last few years.  When was the last time you read a book written more that 50 years ago? 100 years? 400 years?  In his essay, “On The Reading of Old Books,” C.S. Lewis encourages us to look to the roots of Christianity and the books written by our forefathers to better understand our present age and our own faith.

Reading old books gives us perspective on our current situation-we understand better where our culture came from and why it has the shape it does.  It also helps cure us of chronological snobbery-we are not the only intelligent people to write on culture and the church.

Passing on Lewis’ advice, I encourage you to expand the type of book you typically read and pick up something written at least 100 years ago.  You might find a treasure where you currently see dust.

This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, pastor of Quail Lake Community Church and Director of Dayspring Center for Christian Studies.  For more information please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.