Christianity is the religion of a book. All we know about Jesus and his redeeming love comes to us through a book. “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.” Bible means book. Christianity is also the religion of books. My father was converted relatively late in life. Until he was fifty years old, I never remember my father reading any book except Mother Goose and other stories to us children as we sat on his lap. He didn’t even read the newspapers. His religious experience and a new commitment to Christ changed all that. He gradually became an avid reader. He began to read the newspapers; he pored over religious magazines, sermons, tracts, commentaries, Bible study helps, and Sunday school lessons. The well-worn pages of his Bible gave mute testimony to his love for the book of books. He wanted to become a better Christian and to communicate his faith to others. These motives drove him to the reading of books. Those same motives will drive any sincere Christian worker to read.
In this issue CHRISTIANITY TODAY endeavors to help the Christian reader find books that will best meet his needs for spiritual growth and ministry.