How to Find More Time to Read

We all have a list of books we want to read, whether it be an actual list written down, or a mental list that we frequently add to but rarely go back to. Almost all of us (certainly the majority of my audience) recognize the value of reading books. Even in the information age, we know that there is so much knowledge that still is accessed primarily through published books.

The problem is not that we don't see the value in books and reading, but it is simply finding the time and structuring our lives to start reading. And that is exactly why I made this video. I hope this video gives you the encouragement and actionable steps you need to start reading more. And if you find the video useful, please do me the favor of sharing it on social media. And see below the video for a special offer.

As you have heard in the video, I'm so happy to announce my newest course, Reading for Information Extraction. In this course, I walk you through my personal reading system that I learned through trial and error in my years of graduate and PhD studies. Let me help you to start conquering that reading list and make the information you find in books more useful to you in the future.

For this week only, I'm offering to my blog readers a 60% discount. With this link, you can get the course for only $10. Read more, and see the promotional video, on the course page.

What a Novel Idea! Historical Fiction Works by Biblical Scholars

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting Ben Witherington III as he was at Acadia Divinity College to teach for our D.Min. program. Whenever an NT scholar comes to town, I try and make sure to get some time with them — usually be volunteering to drive them to and from the airport.

I asked Dr. Witherington about numerous things, in particular I wanted to understand how he was such a publishing machine. In the course of that discussion, he mentioned his latest manuscript that had just been completed called a "Day in the the life of Jerusalem." It is a historical fiction novel set into the last days of Jerusalem before the sacking in 70 AD  (p.s. I can't believe a movie hasn't been made of this yet!). The book will be part of IVP's "day in the life" series and I believe will hit the shelves early in 2016. Dr. Witherington has already published a similar book called A Week in the Life of Corinth.

I got to say, I like this: biblical and historical scholars who know the time and text the best putting their hand to some fiction. It is a great way to teach about these times, and could be great fodder for both classrooms and church small groups. I certainly hope to see more of these books, and look forward to hearing more about IVP's day in the life series — and maybe a historical fiction novel is in my future as well! For those interested in these types of historical fiction works, here are some of the recent publications that I am aware of:

Gerd Theissen's The Shadow of the Galilean (1987) is the forerunner to the current little wave of historical fiction by NT historians. Theissen is a historical Jesus scholar, and many not the de-theologizing he does in the book (e.g.: reducing of miraculous). Still, readers will learn a lot about that time as they follow along with Andreas the fictional character.

The Lost Letters of Pergamum (2002) is written by the very respected Bruce Longenecker. It is a story about a fictitious character named Antipas who is a Roman leader. Antipas reads the Gospel of Luke and begins conversing with Luke about Jesus.

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Apocalypse (2004) by Hays and Pate might be just the book needed to help readers understand the book of Revelation (namely, how to stop reading it like Left Behind). Follow the characters Flavius and Antonius as they find the book of Revelation and it starts to make sense of the craziness that was the end of the first century.

In The Flames of Rome (2014), ancient historian Paul Maier follows the mayor of Rome named Flavius Sabinus, describing the events in Rome preceding and following the Great Fire. It captures the arrival of Paul to Rome, the growth of the church, and the story of the persecution of the Jewish and Christian community under Rome.

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In Pontius Pilate (2014), Paul Maier fills in the historical details that we know concerning Pilate, including his rise to power and his later life after the crucifixion. Mair goes into the historic and political details surrounding the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. The goal of Maier is to help readers better understand the political and social complexities of Pilate, Rome's man, trying to rule and keep the peace in Judea.

In A Week in the Life of Corinth (2012), Witherington follows a Corinthian man named Nicanor as he lives his life in Corinth, introducing readers along the way to ancient life and practice. During the story, Nicanor encounters the apostle Paul and enters the Christian community.

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Burge is a great NT scholar and a great writer. A Week in the Life of a Roman Centurion (2015) follows a Roman centurion encountering Jesus and Jewish culture in Capernaum. See Gary Burge discuss the book here.

Hottest off the press is David deSilva's newest book Day of Atonement (2015). This is another one of those "I can't believe hollywood hasn't made a movie on this" (Mel Gibson had planned to at one time I think) periods of history. This novel takes place during the time of Maccabean revolt when Judea fought off Rome and gained its independence.

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If I missed any please, let me know in the comments! Happy reading.

photo credit: Flat Eric on a Saturday Afternoon via photopin (license)

Challenging Yourself to Read Over Your Head

It may sound backwards at first, but even people who read a lot of non-fiction can become stuck intellectually on the same speed. They continue to learn new things of course, but they are a bit stuck on a single lane of learning. The cure for this, I think, is jumping into the deep end and occasionally reading over your head. Let me tell you my story to illustrate.

My Jump Into The Deep End

I few weeks back I completed a book by the philosopher Edward Feser called The Last Superstition: a refutation of the new atheism. It was fantastic and I highly recommend it. But this post is not about the content of that book. I mention this book because I really felt in over my head.

This particular book by Feser was 312 pages — so really only about 275 or so pages of reading when you discount the front matter and endnotes. Despite being 275 pages, it took me a LONG time to read. Why? Because it was philosophy. Feser was re-introducing me to my intro philosophy class that I took over a decade ago, and pushing me beyond that. I was reintroduced to Aristotle and Plato, final and efficient causes, and introduced for the first time to Thomas Aquinas.

This was very unlike most books I read. The lion's share of my time is reading biblical studies, particularly New Testament. When I do read fiction for enjoyment, I generally fly through it quickly. Reading in my area of New Testament, I'm fairly quick too. For instance, the book I read immediately after Feser's was 220 pages and with note-taking and creating chapter abstracts for my reference manager, it still only took me a few hours. But this philosophical work by Feser was one that I would have to stop, reread paragraphs or pages, and sometimes reread them again. I would have to at times look up definitions as well. This was a SLOW process, a mountain climb.

Brain Exercise

In short, this was brain exercise for me. And that was a very good thing. As a seminary professor and friend to many pastors, I often get concerned with the reading of my fellow ministers and former students. First, most pastor friends and former students are readers - and that is a fantastic thing, because leaders are readers and readers are leaders. But...the reading often becomes just the next best-seller by one of the US mega-church pastors. Much of the reading is fodder for sermons or strategies for growth, etc. This is excellent and much needed (so don't stop!). My concern, though, is the same concern that I have for myself: Am I exercising my mind and pushing the boundaries of my knowledge to grow and learn more in order to become a better reader and gain further wisdom? Am I intentionally jumping into the deep end?

Pause and think back to your first college class, or perhaps the first time you read Shakespeare. I recall, for instance, reading a book by Sire called The Universe Next Door. I remember finishing that book and having no idea what the book was about. Now I consider that a good but fairly basic book. As we jump into the deep end and read over our heads (or listen to lectures that are over our heads) you not only exercise your mind and learn something new, but you also expand your own personal reading level. In short, this brand new area of reading has a domino affect on your reading level everywhere else.

My Challenge To You

So let me challenge you — continue your vigorous reading schedule. But don't just stay in your comfort zone. You as a leader are very often asking those you lead to go outside their comfort zone. Challenge yourself to do the same, by intentionally adding every once in awhile into the rotation a book (or listening to a lecture) that is outside your area of expertise. Jump into the deep end and exercise those mind muscles!

photo credit: The little house on the praire via photopin (license)