Dear Nero,
I'm delighted you wrote me. We've spent eras apart, but it's good
to see the passing of time hasn't hindered the fellowship of angels. Indeed,
this place has not been the same without you. I hope all that field-work hasn't
carried your head too far into the clouds. With any providence - things are
going well on your end.
I can tell from your letter that you've exercised much patience
with your Child, but it's apparent you're getting frustrated. You mentioned
he's never taken to books. That he spends most of his time in play or somatic
strain. Such is the way leisure is spent these days. How I miss the breeze of
pages turning, of words manifesting inspiration and ideas, the knowledge that
gave rise to spirited discussion. Those were the foods that filled our bellies,
that lavished our tables and blessed our banquets. In the meantime, we have
little left to chew but the lesser meats of Hillsong.
How ironic that humans wish to know everything, understand and
comprehend all, yet never visit the library. Ironic? Perhaps 'tragic' is
bettered suited. Before you were even given a Child to nurture, He ordained
learning as a sacred pursuit. To some it has become little more than classroom
drudgery.
Already we've already identified part of the problem. A person is
rigorously educated for the first twenty years of their time. Once that ends,
they're so excited to be free of books and learning - the only reading
they get comes from advertisements. There are cases where a Child has
never picked up a book again. They view learning as a period, not a lifestyle.
Who still knows the ancient classics? Who's witnessed the beauty
of Dickens? Knows
the pain that wrote Heart of Darkness? Remembers the ink of Marco
Polo's journal? Heaven laments.
Our enemy is particularly adept at this. As well as the above, he
takes joy in using the sacred texts against those who read it. He twists and
pulls, convincing them that anything different or fantastic somehow dishonours
Him. There is a wealth of literature that some Children refuse to read,
believing it to be righteousness and in doing so miss 'The Great Conversation'.
That global forum where we desperately need them - connecting with the dialogues
taking place in dynamic culture.
I heard of a chap, Sam I believe, who set out to read the Twilight series for this
very reason. I tell you if only one of those books were finished - the
compensation he'd receive in Heaven would be abundantly more than his
suffering.
I managed to catch up with Malachi last week - only took forty
years to find him. He told me how he'd introduced himself to a freshman and
asked the man if he'd read his book. Crickets could not chirp any louder.
How awkward.
If you want your child to read, Nero, don't be forceful. Be
suggestive - give him the idea. Start with the classics, the books that will
captive his dormant motivation. The rest are dominoes.
May this letter find you well.
P.S Don't let them know we stole all the twinkies.
Your endearing flat-mate,
- Leon
Yes reading is one way of learning but in order for the author to write, he had to experience something to write about. There comes a time to experience, Some want to experience the joy of discovery for themselves not have it given second hand in a book. I can read about a Greek holiday adventure, or go have my own. I can read about my wife or get to know her personally. It's good to do some reading in advance as a guide but it's never going to be as good as experiencing the real thing.
ReplyDeleteHEBREWS 8:10
this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord.
I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts, I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor or his brother, saying ,'know the Lord' because they will all know me.
Some people want the chance to discover and know for themselves and not always be told. Do the ground work yes, but we are all different and have different styles. Some people are the student type and love to keep their heads in books, some accept and don't question, some are curious and need to know why and some are hands on practical types. All types are needed. A builder improves by building, doing, experience makes him quicker and teaches what works and what doesn't. A doctor has to spend years studying and keeping up with latest discoveries. An artist has a talent that grows and develops by doing and experimenting. We all learn and DO differently. Some love a good book while some are only happy when they are inventing and discovering for themselves. One should never try to stifle the others way of learning but accept that one mans passion can be another's poison. All should be allowed to reach their potential in the way that's best for them. Not everyone wants or is meant to be a scolar.
There comes a time in life to start putting into practice what you have been learning and gain experience. Often that's when the real learning starts.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise what's the point of studying in the first place. Knowledge is a waste if you keep it to yourself and don't use it. What are we here for if not to 'do'' something with our lives. Would God prefer we all spend our lives huddled together studying and worshiping him, or get out and actually 'do' something and play our part whatever that is contributing in some way to the world we live in ?
I'm trying to 'do' my bit the best I can.
Depends on who you are...
ReplyDeleteIf your a Philosopher then you need to study all the time.
If your a baker then you need to keep baking bread.
If your son's a dentist and happy being one then don't try turning him into a version what you think he should be as it will only make both of you misserable.
Accept we are all different and celebrate people who are successful doing what makes them happy.
Some people read for relaxation or have a thurst for knowledge, I prefer gardening as my down time and contemplate while I'm there.
Thanks for the replies. I haven't really been following these comments much...should probably start.
ReplyDeleteI feel like you've somewhat taken this article in excess. I wrote this 'letter' to address the declining levels of reading in our culture. Study is a lost discipline - a gift many people might enjoy but are missing. It can be any genre of book, it doesn't have to be non-fiction.
Reading is no substitute. I intended no absolutes. Do as you do in life - reading is only one small part of it. The underlying point I was trying to get across was the 'Great Conversation' - engaging with our culture about the books they read, the ones we read, about the conversations that matter.