Thoughts on preaching by J. W. Alexander (Available from Amazon or free here) -
There were quite a few reflections on nature as well as comments on reading and writing.
I still am grappling with Alexander's encouragement of a distaste for reading: 'Much may be learned without books. To read always is not the way to be wise. The knowledge of those who are not bookworms has a certain air of health and robustness. I never deal with books all day without being the worse for it. Living teachers are better than dead. There is magic in the voice of living wisdom. Iron sharpeneth iron. Part of every day should be spent in society. Learning is discipline ; but the heart must be disciplined as well as the head ; and only by intercourse with our fellows can the affections be disciplined. Bookishness implies solitude ; and solitude is apt to produce ill weeds: melancholy, selfishness, moroseness, suspicion, and fear. To go abroad is, therefore, a Christian duty. I never went from my books to spend an hour with a friend, however humble, without receiving benefit. I never left the solitary contemplation of a subject in order to compare notes on it with a friend, without finding my ideas clarified. Ennui is not common where men properly mingle the contemplative with the active life.'
I understand the point Alexander is trying to make that we should never minimise human relationships, but it seems as though he belittles books completely. Yet he comes across as completely well-read himself.
I know that I would not be the pastor that I am and have any confidence in what I do without extensive reading.
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Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
1 comment:
Yes! Alexander is extremely well read. (Read his letters to his friend, John Hall, in 'The life of J.W. Alexander'.) Later on in 'Thoughts on Preaching', you'll find his advice to the preacher: 'Fill the cask; fill the cask.' He insists on extensive reading!!
Looking at his letters, you'll also find he did have a problem with depression.
His point still stands: we need interaction with other believers - wife, friend, fellow church members, bloggers ...
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