List of books I havent read and wont read

which one?

  • origin of species

    Votes: 1 3.8%
  • fountainhead

    Votes: 1 3.8%
  • havent read either

    Votes: 21 80.8%
  • have read both

    Votes: 3 11.5%

  • Total voters
    26
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"List of books I havent read and wont read"

That list would be very long indeed.

It always irks me when people online burble about how much they "love books." I always think to myself, "If you consider the raw majority of books to be representative of the category, then I hate books.
 
"List of books I havent read and wont read"

That list would be very long indeed.

It always irks me when people online burble about how much they "love books." I always think to myself, "If you consider the raw majority of books to be representative of the category, then I hate books.
I have read very few serious books. Probably under ten in my lifetime.
 
I have read very few serious books. Probably under ten in my lifetime.
What would be a serious book to you?

It seems puzzling to me because I would classify even textbooks as serious books, as opposed to frivolous.

The books might be wrong or misguided in some cases, but I'd think the authors would try to be serious.
 
I read Origin of Species and Atlas Shrugged (not Fountainhead). I've also read The Book of Mormon.

The reason wasn't because they were good books, but I wanted to know what the foundational arguments were. Few of the people who defend Origin or Mormon will have ever actually read them so it doesn't hurt to start with an advantage ;)
 
I feel like I should read Atlas Shrugged in order to witness to Randians.
Reading a small part of Atlas Shrugged would be sufficient. I read it when I was young. The first problem with that book is that it is overlong and dreadfully repetitive, with a boring and clumsily preachy plot. Then there's the message...
 
What would be a serious book to you?

It seems puzzling to me because I would classify even textbooks as serious books, as opposed to frivolous.

The books might be wrong or misguided in some cases, but I'd think the authors would try to be serious.
1. books that I have studied and taking serious notes and meditations on cover to cover
and
2. teaches profound spiritual realties as they are unfolded by scripture.

I dont consider textbooks, classics like gatsby or any of the like serious books
 
1. books that I have studied and taking serious notes and meditations on cover to cover
and
2. teaches profound spiritual realties as they are unfolded by scripture.

I dont consider textbooks, classics like gatsby or any of the like serious books
This is very severely restrictive, don't you think? I hardly think something needs to teach spiritual truths from Scripture to be considered serious. Shakespeare? Tolkien? Biographies?
 
Textbooks are where good writing goes to die.

As to books where I have taken good outlines, I have some following (google docs is such a wonderful tool).
https://tentsofshem.wordpress.com/2021/11/15/the-unity-of-Christ-beeley/

And I would include classics in here. Boswell's bio of Johnson is the best book I've read.

In fact, Samuel Johnson taught me how to think about books.

As to other classics, few books rival Dante in terms of spiritual power.
 
This is very severely restrictive, don't you think? I hardly think something needs to teach spiritual truths from Scripture to be considered serious. Shakespeare? Tolkien? Biographies?

The phrase "as unfolded by Scripture" doesn't tell all that much. Almost everyone believes that their views are "unfolded by Scripture."
 
As to books where I have taken good outlines, I have some following (google docs is such a wonderful tool).

Do you have any advice or resources on how to get started on outlining? I know that I should be doing it but I find it to be an incredibly intimidating endeavor.
 
Do you have any advice or resources on how to get started on outlining? I know that I should be doing it but I find it to be an incredibly intimidating endeavor.
JP Moreland describes the process in Love Your God With All Your Mind. I'll scan the pages and upload them here.
 
JP Moreland describes the process in Love Your God With All Your Mind. I'll scan the pages and upload them here.
I bought the book per your recommendation a while back but haven’t had a chance to read it yet. I will make a point to do so soon. Thanks.
 
1. books that I have studied and taking serious notes and meditations on cover to cover
and
2. teaches profound spiritual realties as they are unfolded by scripture.

I dont consider textbooks, classics like gatsby or any of the like serious books
Fair enough. Your thread; your definition.

But from my perspective, a book that deals with the mundane like the laws of physics or the best way to sharpen an axe can point to profound spiritual realities as well. Creation is real and God made it.

Textbooks are where good writing goes to die.
True in almost all cases. But I still treasure quite a few I have collected. I don't read them for literary style, but for reference information.

But among some of my textbooks one can find some good stuff. I remember an advanced plant physiology textbook I had that contained little essays on the side--titles like "The Hazards of Hubris," and "Empiricism as Oroboros?"
 
The phrase "as unfolded by Scripture" doesn't tell all that much. Almost everyone believes that their views are "unfolded by Scripture."
I just dont understand what you mean by this. I just meant whatever I see in scripture... if I am in error someone should point it out so I can worship God as He is.
 
Fair enough. Your thread; your definition.

But from my perspective, a book that deals with the mundane like the laws of physics or the best way to sharpen an axe can point to profound spiritual realities as well. Creation is real and God made it.


True in almost all cases. But I still treasure quite a few I have collected. I don't read them for literary style, but for reference information.

But among some of my textbooks one can find some good stuff. I remember an advanced plant physiology textbook I had that contained little essays on the side--titles like "The Hazards of Hubris," and "Empiricism as Oroboros?"
I suppose God does bless the needle of truth in a haystack of error as JI Packer notes. Is He worthy? I suppose I need the humility to listen and learn from even a donkey as Balaam did.
 
I read both "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance," and "Journey to Ixtlan." Do they count for anything?
 
I just dont understand what you mean by this. I just meant whatever I see in scripture... if I am in error someone should point it out so I can worship God as He is.

On one hand it seemed too restrictive. It was like you are saying you weren't going to call a book good or serious unless it was unfolded in Scripture.

And we aren't biblicists. We don't have to have a proof text for an action to be right or wrong.
 
I read both "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance," and "Journey to Ixtlan." Do they count for anything?
Well, I got one succinct life observation from “Zen”: those who appreciate technology the most are those who need it the least.
 
On one hand it seemed too restrictive. It was like you are saying you weren't going to call a book good or serious unless it was unfolded in Scripture.

And we aren't biblicists. We don't have to have a proof text for an action to be right or wrong.
Do all things to the glory of God and in faith is our proof text I thought. The bibe is for all good works as 1 timothy stated.
 
I read both "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance," and "Journey to Ixtlan." Do they count for anything?
I dont think the books arent good brother. I just find for me, my joy is never increased by the criteria a set out or I havent studied it seriously. :cheers:
 
This is very severely restrictive, don't you think? I hardly think something needs to teach spiritual truths from Scripture to be considered serious. Shakespeare? Tolkien? Biographies?
biographies are good brother, and again this is just my personal view of things. dont let uit hamper your enjoyement or view of these things:cheers:
 
Do all things to the glory of God and in faith is our proof text I thought. The bibe is for all good works as 1 timothy stated.

True, but the bible doesn't list every possible thing. It also assumes that we will have Wisdom to apply the Bible, which means there usually won't be a proof text.
 
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