{"id":31524,"date":"2022-09-10T15:33:45","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:33:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/5-reasons-christians-should-read-classic-literature\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T15:33:45","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:33:45","slug":"5-reasons-christians-should-read-classic-literature","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/5-reasons-christians-should-read-classic-literature\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Reasons Christians Should Read Classic Literature"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Debby Hudson photo – Unsplash<\/div>\n

By Kristy Etheridge<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIf a book is well written, I always find it too short.\u201d \u2014 Marianne Dashwood, Sense & Sensibility<\/em><\/p>\n

Whether your experience with reading mirrors Marianne\u2019s or you haven\u2019t picked up a classic since wiping the drool off one during high school English class, Karen Swallow Prior believes you can see great books in a new light.<\/p>\n

Prior is an author and award-winning professor of English literature at Liberty University. She\u2019s in the middle of editing a series for B&H Books that\u2019s meant to help readers of all levels read\u2014or re-read\u2014classic works of literature through a Christian worldview.<\/p>\n

Each book will include the full text of the original work, with an introduction and commentary from Prior. The first two books, Sense & Sensibility<\/em> by Jane Austen and Heart of Darkness<\/em> by Joseph Conrad, were released on March 3.<\/p>\n

Below are five reasons everyone, particularly Christians, should take a fresh look at classic literature, which has the power to shape the hearts and minds of men and women\u2014and send them out to influence a post-Christian culture for Christ.<\/p>\n

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1. It Sharpens Your Worldview.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.” \u2013Romans 12:2<\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019s nearly impossible for a follower of Christ to navigate a post-Christian culture without a solidly defined worldview. Daily life involves sorting and analyzing hundreds of ideas\u2014each reflecting a particular view of the world\u2014to determine whether they’re true and good.<\/p>\n

Prior says readers get to practice these crucial decision-making skills vicariously within the pages of a book.<\/p>\n

\u201cGreat works of literature reflect the author\u2019s worldview and reflect the characters\u2019 worldviews,\u201d Prior says. \u201cAs we encounter those worldviews in the pages, we have to sharpen and refine our own worldview.\u201d<\/p>\n

2. It Develops Empathy.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” \u2013Romans 12:15<\/em><\/p>\n

Much has been said about the loss of civility in American culture. In a polarized nation where people can easily avoid or digitally block viewpoints they don\u2019t agree with, it\u2019s not difficult to see some of the reasons why the practice of empathy is in a state of erosion.<\/p>\n

But when a reader opens up a great novel and steps into someone else\u2019s world, Prior says there\u2019s an almost irresistible tendency toward empathy.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis really is one of the great gifts of literature,\u201d she says, \u201cthe cultivation of our skills of empathy and understanding, even apart from agreeing or disagreeing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Literature gives us a behind-the-scenes look at a person\u2019s world, \u201cto understand why they\u2019re doing something or what they\u2019re doing,\u201d even if they\u2019re making a poor decision, says Prior.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re seeing so many of the factors that go into being a human being, even if it\u2019s a fictional one.\u201d<\/p>\n

3. It Cultivates Virtue.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable\u2014if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy\u2014dwell on these things.” \u2013Philippians 4:8<\/em><\/p>\n

While scrolling through social media can certainly be informative, few would describe the practice as helping to cultivate virtue. Consuming short bursts of text requires little effort and reading tweets or Instagram posts in rapid succession is an almost mind-numbing activity.<\/p>\n

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Great literature, on the other hand, requires commitment and effort that exercises the brain in a different way. This deep reading can result in lasting rewards, not the least of which is the cultivation of virtue. Prior defines virtue most simply as \u201cexcellence.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think in this age we see virtue being replaced by so many substitutes, like power and influence and self-esteem, to the extent that we\u2019ve actually lost an understanding and appreciation of virtue; we don\u2019t even know what it is,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why we should think about virtue and try to develop it in ourselves and our culture.\u201d<\/p>\n

Prior has seen \u201ca growing enthusiasm and curiosity among Christians\u201d for chasing excellence by reading classic literature.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause we are so consumed by digital media and fragmented, short bursts of text all day long, I actually think there is a reaction against it, and people are turning more to good books and to literary fiction to sort of counter-balance that effect,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

4. It Improves Language Skills.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

“A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.” \u2013 Proverbs 15:1
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\u201cOne of the things that really characterizes the illness in our culture right now is an understanding of language that\u2019s very flat and literal,\u201d Prior says.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou see this all over social media, where we misunderstand one another or make accusations just because one person is using a word or phrase in a different way than someone else understands it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reading great literature, on the other hand, \u201chones our skills in language. And language is what we use every day to talk to one another and tweet and post on Facebook.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s as though we\u2019re clumsy with our words all over, every day,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we\u2019re in part clumsy because we\u2019re not immersed in the art of language that we find in literary writing. When we have a deeper, richer understanding of how language works, we can actually make more room for understanding one another.\u201d<\/p>\n

5. It\u2019s Enjoyable.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The college professor is quick to point out that reading great literature is inherently challenging. But it can also offer a unique kind of satisfaction.<\/p>\n

As you take a fresh look at classic works, you just might find yourself experiencing what the fictional sailor Charles Marlow describes in Heart of Darkness<\/em>:<\/p>\n

\u201cI slipped the book into my pocket. I assure you to leave off reading was like tearing myself away from the shelter of an old and solid friendship.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Kristy Etheridge<\/h2>\n

@KristyNEWS<\/p>\n

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Kristy is a New York City-based freelance writer. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n