Christian Books > the Bible?
The conversation went something like this:
Me: I’m so glad we got a chance to catch up. You’re always such an encouragement to me.
B: You too! I’m so glad to have you to keep me accountable. It definitely keeps me consistent in my devotions, and I’m learning a lot.
Me: Cool.
B: By the way, I’m reading this really good book on fasting. I’ll give it to you once I’m done reading it. It’s really great, you’re going to love it.
Me: Sweet, thanks!
It was a few weeks ago that I had this conversation with a friend. I thought nothing of it at the time, but the Lord has put something on my heart today and I think it relates.
I love reading. Whether it’s blogs, novels, the Bible, Biblical history guides, Christian books, etc. I enjoy reading them. So when my friend suggested this book to me I was genuinely excited to get it in my hands. Why? Because, honestly, I don’t think I know that much about fasting. Within the 150 or so pages of this book I can gain a better understanding of how and why to fast. I definitely want to increase my knowledge, so here’s a great resource. My friend also talked about how she had grown in her spiritual walk since she began reading this book and taking the principles to heart. So it’s a good book. The author’s legit, and it’s not teaching me something that goes against the Bible.
But here’s the kicker… I am relying on this book to teach me about fasting. I’ll say it again, I am relying on this book to teach me about fasting. I have traded diligent study of what Jesus says and His example in the scriptures for a short cut. I have chosen convenience over wisdom. I have taken the meditation of the word in the secret place and replaced it with reading the Christian manual to fasting. And essientially, in this act, I am saying that man is better than God. Or perhaps at the very least that I am not willing to sacrifice for Jesus.
Don’t misunderstand me. I have nothing against reading Christian books. The Lord has used many books to change my life and illustrate a point in a way that I did not grasp from just a Bible verse alone. For example, reading Torchered for His Faith by Pastor Haralan Popov has given me great insight to the endurance of the persecuted church and challenged me to memorize scripture and get serious about my commitment to Jesus. Passion and Purity by Elizabeth Elliot has made me realize devotion to the Lord must be stronger than devotion to anyone else as well as given me some great guidelines for life. 
The list goes on.
My point is, reading Christian books is great and the testimonies and scripture interpretation can be informative and relevant. BUT, where do these books fit into my priorities? Am I just taking the easy way out and trusting a man’s opinion of the Bible? Or have I really studied the Bible and asked the Lord what He has to say about fasting (or w/e the book is about) for myself? In this case, I feel like I need to read the Bible, and look at Jesus example before picking up a book on fasting and figuring this thing out by means of my own strength and an author. The early church did not have Christian bestsellers on dating and praying and fasting, etc. They had the Holy Spirit. These resources are great for today, but if I am not even seeking my Lord about these issues, how can I possibly expect to follow a book’s instruction and end up with a deeper relationship?
