My Favorite Book



Posted: Saturday, October 15, 2011

by John Waddey
firstcenturychristian

I confess, I am a biblophile. In my personal library are some23,000 non-fiction volumes. Prior to entering school, my mother read to me each day. From the first grade onward I was a regular visitor to the school library. It was my sixth grade teacher, Ms. Jessie King, who directed me to more serious literature. Since my eighteenth year I have sought to read a book per week. Although I have not always been able to reach that goal, I have now read upwards of 2,400 volumes and portions of hundreds more.

As a Christian, the Bible continues to be my favorite volume. For the last 54 years I have devoted much time to the study of it. It is an amazing volume, in that one never wearies of reading it. It never disappoints those who make a serious and sincere effort to comprehend it. Of the hundreds of other books I have read, only a handful have I read twice. But of the sacred book, it is just as fresh, exciting and invigorating today as it was the first day I opened it. Others have had the same experience.

I recommend, without reservation, the Bible to everyone. If you love the English of the Shakespear and his contemporaries, you will enjoy reading the Bible from the King James Translation of 1611. If you do better with contemporary American English, read the New International Version. The message is the same.

In addition to the Bible, I am a great fan of the book of nature. King David wrote that the heaven’s declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth his handiwork (Ps. 19:1 ff). As I view the physical world, from my Christian perspective, I see in the creation thousands of testimonies to God’s greatness, goodness and his creative power. There is nothing more beautiful than a desert sunset, a colorful butterfly, a rose garden. No music is more heart-warming and inspiring than the song of the mockingbird or the lark. Nothing inspires admiration like a newborn child. Nature is a book of such magnitude that one can never exhaust its treasures.

Of the books written by mortals, I could post a list of 50 or more. As a lover of history I have enjoyed Gibbons’ Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. William Bennett’s America, the Best, Last Hope was wonderful. Scores of books of biography and church history I have consumed. Books about America’s Civil War and the notable leaders of both North and South are among my favorites. I especially appreciate those authors who can help me fathom and understand what is happening in our contemporary world. Most things are not always as they seem to be. From those who have devoted themselves to ferreting out the hidden causes and the leaders who are often hidden in the shadows, I am greatly indebted.

From all of these authors, to whom I owe so much, I have gained sufficient knowledge to write fifty-four volumes of non-fiction, most of which are of the genre of Christian literature. More books are in progress and, should God’s extend my days, will be published.

Some claim that man and apes share some 98 percent of DNA. But we can read and remember, talk, write and discuss. Thank God for the extra 2% He gave us.
John Waddey is a native of Nashville, TN. He is in his 54th year as a minister of the Church of Christ. Presently he serves the West Bell Church of Christ in Sun City West, AZ. His ministerial work has taken him to 22 foreign nations. Writing has always been an important part of his work. He is the author of 54 volumes. He has served as the editor of the Star Bible magazine and the Christian Bible Teacher magazine. Currently, he writes a weekly newspaper column and edits a monthly journal called Christianity: Then & Now. He also maintains Bible teaching websites at www.firstcenturychristian.com. His latest book, "Testimony of the Twelve Minor Prophets" is now at the printers.

My Favorite Book...
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» left by Lorrie Davids
 220 days 7 hours ago.
96 fans.
John, the Bible is my favorite in the non-fiction category also. I prefer the ESV and learn more each time I read. That is it orderly and God is steadfast love gives peace to this list-making doubter. I am currently reading it chronologically and am fascinated yet again. Thanks for sharing your favorite book!
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