Thanks so much Jacq, there's so much we can learn from all kinds of literature. If you'd like an example of this in action, I'd recommend this article about Pride and Prejudice:
It's not an easy practice, especially when there are so many examples not to follow, if that makes sense. I juts hope that doing it according to this mindset will be fruitful for anyone who wants to grow in wisdom through their reading.
Adsum, that is so helpful. I have toyed with the idea of book reviews and have written some over the years but never really felt equipped for it and have questioned my reasons for doing so. Occasionally on Goodreads I add a few words of commendation but mostly I just allow my star-rating to convey whether I enjoyed the book or not. If I was to do any attenuated reviews I think I'd use 3 questions to which I'd give a star-rating: Did I find it enjoyable? Was it helpful? Might others also benefit from it? On that final question I think the answer would almost always be, It depends! On their tastes, on their life situation and many other considerations.
In relation to your scheme, I wonder if a third question might be helpful to add into the mix (I realise it breaks the connection to Calvin by doing so): What does this tell me about creation? To be sure that will inevitably lead me to think about both the Creator and then Mankind as part of his creation but it might be helpful to allow creation's distinctive witness its own place before taking those steps, so that it may be enjoyed not simply as a road but as a path (as Wendell Berry might say).
I think questioning our reasoning is a really fruitful endeavour, so well done for doing that.
I'm not saying this is the only way to write reviews, of course, but I think this is the best way for me to fruitfully add to the conversation around what to read and why. I think your question about creation is a good one, but I think where we then find wisdom with how to apply that is through the questions about man and God. I know some amazing writers—for example @overthefield—who are excellent at exploring how we interact well with creation.
I'm going to give your contact to the person who organizes book reviews for Christianity Today!
That would be amazing Rachel, thank you so much! Bless you
Oooh I'm excited to read your book reviews again, I've missed them!
Thanks Anna, I'm really glad to hear it!
Yes, absolutely with how the observations re creation are then realised through the questions about God and Man.
You’ve created an amazing chart! I didn’t realize until now that you can apply Obedience-based Bible Study in reading books too 😊
Thanks so much Jacq, there's so much we can learn from all kinds of literature. If you'd like an example of this in action, I'd recommend this article about Pride and Prejudice:
https://www.ravenswritingdesk.co.uk/p/the-total-depravity-of-pride-and
I appreciate this writing. I've never been great at writing reviews, so I look forward to seeing you put your stuff into practice.
It's not an easy practice, especially when there are so many examples not to follow, if that makes sense. I juts hope that doing it according to this mindset will be fruitful for anyone who wants to grow in wisdom through their reading.
Fantastic tier system! Inspired!
Thanks so much Eliza, I'm glad you think so!
Adsum, that is so helpful. I have toyed with the idea of book reviews and have written some over the years but never really felt equipped for it and have questioned my reasons for doing so. Occasionally on Goodreads I add a few words of commendation but mostly I just allow my star-rating to convey whether I enjoyed the book or not. If I was to do any attenuated reviews I think I'd use 3 questions to which I'd give a star-rating: Did I find it enjoyable? Was it helpful? Might others also benefit from it? On that final question I think the answer would almost always be, It depends! On their tastes, on their life situation and many other considerations.
In relation to your scheme, I wonder if a third question might be helpful to add into the mix (I realise it breaks the connection to Calvin by doing so): What does this tell me about creation? To be sure that will inevitably lead me to think about both the Creator and then Mankind as part of his creation but it might be helpful to allow creation's distinctive witness its own place before taking those steps, so that it may be enjoyed not simply as a road but as a path (as Wendell Berry might say).
I think questioning our reasoning is a really fruitful endeavour, so well done for doing that.
I'm not saying this is the only way to write reviews, of course, but I think this is the best way for me to fruitfully add to the conversation around what to read and why. I think your question about creation is a good one, but I think where we then find wisdom with how to apply that is through the questions about man and God. I know some amazing writers—for example @overthefield—who are excellent at exploring how we interact well with creation.
Thanks so much for your wise words.
Thanks for writing this piece. I'll probably return to it for my own reading and review writing.