Books: Out with the Old?

C.S. Lewis wrote "There is the strange idea abroad that in every subject the ancient books should be read only by the professionals, and that the amatuer should content himself with the modern books... This mistaken preference for the modern books and this shyness of the old ones is nowhere more rampant than in theology...It is a good rule after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another one till you have read an old one in between."

I would also argue that this mistaken preference for modern books is rampant in Youth Ministry as well. I am trying to decide which books to use for a number of discipleship groups this year and Idon't want to overlook the classics. Last year I used both Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer and The Mortification of Sin by John Owen and our youth thoroughly enjoyed it. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'd also like to hear what newer books you might suggest as well.

Text-Critical Resources

Part of the shepherd's "tool box" are resources to further equip himself. Thus far in my ministry, I've lost count of the types of questions asked in such areas as OT and NT Introduction, and Textual Criticism.

Below is a link for iTunes for "The Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts." This is being led by Dallas professor Dr. Dan Wallace. What is helpful about this are their "bite-size" videos on various topics within the field of T.C.

The topics range from: Pioneer's in T.C.; T.C. Praxis; Various examples of key passages affected by T.C., etc. After listening to them, it has been good to refresh some of these principles but also have, under evidentialist presuppositions, more confidence in the current text that we have.

If you have people in your ministry asking these types of questions, if you feel you are under-qualified to discuss some of the T.C. issues, I whole-heartedly would sit with them to watch these videos with no reservations.

Pro's:

1. Small and simple to refresh thinking

2. Instills further confidence in the written text

3. Simple enough for the layman

Con's:

1. In two to three areas, Dr. Wallace's T.C. decisions were influenced by his underlying historical critical ideology and Markan primacy.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/institution/center-for-study-new-testament/id416966041