Reading the Bible or other Christian booksI have always been narrow-minded in my approach to Christian literature. I have basically just read the Bible, no other Christian books. Time is limited, and not being much of a reader, I only have that much time to read, so I prefer spending it on the Bible. To me, the Bible is the true and accurate source.
Lately I have however seen value in other Christian literature in the sense of confirmation and encouragement. I don't really have a "Christian" lifestyle of much church and meetings, so often you are not encouraged in your faith-walk by Christian friends. Sometimes, Christian friends also don't understand your walk with God, or are at a different level, and this is when I saw some value in Christian books.
If I find that someone goes through the same experiences as I do, it does encourage me. I'm just very careful to test their opinions against the Bible. To me, no Christian can save me, but only Christ. So even though many people have explanations, teachings and opinions, it is only Christ's book (the Bible) that has the definitive guidelines and principles that I need to find salvation.
Ultimately, the examples and lives of the people in the Bible encourage me. I often find that they also go through the same things. I however do believe that God uses modern (current day) Christians to help encourage and motivate us. As long as we always go back to the Bible. I'm often astonished how people can forget about God and the Bible and run after a successful Christian (being a disciple of that person) and then end up twisting the truth, because they lost the Bible as guideline.
I say, read 98% Bible and 2% other Christian literature.
I would like to agree heartily. Even if the Bible is God's first and ultimate revelation to us, Christian literature can be very encouraging and informative.
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