Wm. Perkins and Keeping a Commonplace Book

[J.L. Allen]

Folks,

I'm reading The Art of Prophesying by William Perkins (and I'm loving it). When doing reading and research, whether in Scripture, ancient writers, or other resources, he encourages the use of a commonplace book.

The problem I'm having is visualizing what he describes for its format. Has anyone used his format for a commonplace book or can point me to an example?

Note: this commonplace book is exclusively for theological insights and things derivative (potential application).

 

[toledomudhen]

Folks,

I'm reading The Art of Prophesying by William Perkins (and I'm loving it). When doing reading and research, whether in Scripture, ancient writers, or other resources, he encourages the use of a commonplace book.

The problem I'm having is visualizing what he describes for its format. Has anyone used his format for a commonplace book or can point me to an example?

Note: this commonplace book is exclusively for theological insights and things derivative (potential application).

I just saw this video the other day. Are you thinking of something like this?

 

[Joshua]

Interesting. Like, for reference, or for recording?

 

[davejonescue]

I believe Common Place books were the precursors to Systematic Theologies. So they seem to be basically a collection of "thoughts" on particular theological topics. For instance, you can have a section for Repentance, one for Baptism, one for Sin, etc. And under each heading, one would write out what they thought on the issue. If you catch Wal-Mart on their back to school sales, you can get spiral notebooks for like $0.25 each. This would be a good time to get 20 or 30 of them, and label each one a topic to journal in.

 

[Charles Johnson]

Folks,

I'm reading The Art of Prophesying by William Perkins (and I'm loving it). When doing reading and research, whether in Scripture, ancient writers, or other resources, he encourages the use of a commonplace book.

The problem I'm having is visualizing what he describes for its format. Has anyone used his format for a commonplace book or can point me to an example?

Note: this commonplace book is exclusively for theological insights and things derivative (potential application).

The most famous published Puritan "common-place book" is that of John Locke, from his days as a non-conformist (obviously he later became a deist).

Basically when you see a Scripture that speaks on a certain matter you write it down, to refer back to when you're preaching on that topic. It should not be confused with "common places" in the sense of systematic theology, such as works with that title by Vermigli, Melanchthon, and Trelcatius Jr.

 

[davejonescue]

The most famous published Puritan "common-place book" is that of John Locke, from his days as a non-conformist (obviously he later became a deist).

Basically when you see a Scripture that speaks on a certain matter you write it down, to refer back to when you're preaching on that topic. It should not be confused with "common places" in the sense of systematic theology, such as works with that title by Vermigli, Melanchthon, and Trelcatius Jr.

Thank you for pointing that out. The only Common Places I had seen were from the latter authors you mentioned.

 

[J.L. Allen]

Given some of the responses here, it sounds like you can go one of two ways: separate books for separate topics or continuous volumes intermixed with different topics.

I've kept something of a commonplace book with random thoughts (theological or otherwise) in a notebook that I always have on me. I always have a Field Notes in my pocket to catch anything from ideas to insights or anything in between. However, that's not exactly what this project would be. I'm thinking of writing these out per the systematic categories (mostly).

 

[toledomudhen]

Given some of the responses here, it sounds like you can go one of two ways: separate books for separate topics or continuous volumes intermixed with different topics.

I've kept something of a commonplace book with random thoughts (theological or otherwise) in a notebook that I always have on me. I always have a Field Notes in my pocket to catch anything from ideas to insights or anything in between. However, that's not exactly what this project would be. I'm thinking of writing these out per the systematic categories (mostly).

Now that I've seen a little more of what this is about, I do something similar on index cards. When I have thoughts on a topic or on a chapter of the Bible, I write them on the index cards and organize them topically/biblically.

 

[Rom]

I use Obsidian and utilize the concept of atomic notes for subjects and topics. Super useful. I then put all the references for the subject in the note and link them to other related topics. I also backlink to the subject in my sermon prep note so that if I wanted to refer (later on) to what sermons I have personally preached that reference that subject/topic I also have that available. I even put in little snippets and quotations of posters that I find profitable on the PuritanBoard into them. I find that to an excellent modern implementation of what Perkins speaks of and is always accessible to me on all of my devices.

 

[J.L. Allen]

Thanks, Rom and Jason.

I admire those who can do the tech thing! Jason's method is more my speed, but I think I'd like to keep a series of notebooks. However, I should give this more thought.

This reminds me of Zettelkasten. I'll post another thread about that, actually.

 

[Faithhopelove24]

Check out ParkNotes on YouTube. He has a ton of content on commonplace books.

 

[JP Wallace]

I've been using a diary/commonplace book for maybe 20 years - but I'm afraid while I consistently use it - I rather inconsistently index it, and really that is its primary advantage. I enjoy it, it is my habit, writing as I read (a la Jonathan Edwards) helps me think and express things in my own words.

I note my daily devotions in it, note down quotes from books I'm reading, sermon ideas etc. etc.

But consistent indexing is key, and for that reason I think maybe a digital version like Rom uses is optimum.

 

[No Other Name]

I've been using a diary/commonplace book for maybe 20 years - but I'm afraid while I consistently use it - I rather inconsistently index it, and really that is its primary advantage. I enjoy it, it is my habit, writing as I read (a la Jonathan Edwards) helps me think and express things in my own words.

I note my daily devotions in it, note down quotes from books I'm reading, sermon ideas etc. etc.

But consistent indexing is key, and for that reason I think maybe a digital version like Rom uses is optimum.

This is far more informative than my clicking the "Informative" icon could possibly indicate.

Thank you, brother.

 

[J.L. Allen]

I've been using a diary/commonplace book for maybe 20 years - but I'm afraid while I consistently use it - I rather inconsistently index it, and really that is its primary advantage. I enjoy it, it is my habit, writing as I read (a la Jonathan Edwards) helps me think and express things in my own words.

I note my daily devotions in it, note down quotes from books I'm reading, sermon ideas etc. etc.

But consistent indexing is key, and for that reason I think maybe a digital version like Rom uses is optimum.

Indexing does seem like the biggest challenge for keeping a commonplace book.

I should note, if I haven't already, that I'm really trying to eliminate screentime as much as possible.

I really appreciate your post!

 

[davejonescue]

You may be limiting yourself by striving too much not to type out your thoughts or journal entries in the spirit of ditching screen time. Doogie Howser was on to something. Doing so severely limits your ability to index using the plethora of digital systems now available. It also limits the searching of what will become a large collection of typed text if done consistently. People have struggled with the same things you are trying to minimize, such as distractions. And there are ways around it, like instead of taking notes via pocket journal, you can do so with a voice recorder, then transcribe via otter.ai or if applicable on your phone, an app that automatically transcribes it to text. With the journaling or dedicated time to write on theological topics, looking around, it looks like someone created a minimalist Word Processor called WordGrinder where you could take an old laptop, disable wifi, and have distraction free typing....but it will also let you export your text files to the Cloud, Flash Drive, HD, and print them.

 

[No Other Name]

I should note, if I haven't already, that I'm really trying to eliminate screentime as much as possible.

Honest and genuine Q:

Is it screen time you are seeking to minimize? Or online time?

 

[J.L. Allen]

Honest and genuine Q:

Is it screen time you are seeking to minimize? Or online time?

It's a good question.

Certainly online. However, I have found that screentime in general is not good for my overall focus.

 

[J.L. Allen]

You may be limiting yourself by striving too much not to type out your thoughts or journal entries in the spirit of ditching screen time. Doogie Howser was on to something. Doing so severely limits your ability to index using the plethora of digital systems now available. It also limits the searching of what will become a large collection of typed text if done consistently. People have struggled with the same things you are trying to minimize, such as distractions. And there are ways around it, like instead of taking notes via pocket journal, you can do so with a voice recorder, then transcribe via otter.ai or if applicable on your phone, an app that automatically transcribes it to text. With the journaling or dedicated time to write on theological topics, looking around, it looks like someone created a minimalist Word Processor called WordGrinder where you could take an old laptop, disable wifi, and have distraction free typing....but it will also let you export your text files to the Cloud, Flash Drive, HD, and print them.

Indeed, there is too much limitation. I know there is no way around computers. I'm fine with using them where I must. I find that it's an issue of "the camel's nose in the tent." One action done digitally leads to the next and so on. The problem also then becomes the levels of temptation to distraction increasing in intensity. I've seen this pattern in my life time and again. I've ended up spending a total of 24+ hours in 7-days on the computer. That's just not healthy for me nor does it bring me happiness, satisfaction, or anything else worthwhile. Not to mention, it's a bad example.

I have Free Write Typewriter, which I've had much success in using.