Religous Books

[abednego]

Alright im doing a paper i was wanted some of your opions. What do you guys think about books (besides the bible) that teach you how to pray or how to preach or how to get closer to God. Do you guys believe in those, do you think its alright to use them to get closer to God or to preach, or do you even believe that they can help you get closer to God and help you preach or pray? So if ya want to tell me what ya think.

[sinner/SAVED]

Do you believe in sermons that teach you to pray or teach you to get closer to God?

What's the difference?

[MoonlightParade]

I voted Yes, but even then you have to be thoughtful to what you read, like dont read Satanism for Idiots. Not all the choices are as clean-cut as that, but you just have to be on you guard.

[abednego]

Do you believe in sermons that teach you to pray or teach you to get closer to God?

What's the difference?

No i dont believe in those ... i believe God will teach us how to do those things but im just asking opions.

[Celticflower]

Sometimes I need outside help to understand things. Often just a sllightly new angle on an old well known passage will open up a host of deeper meanings.

[ClementofRome]

If the minister is NOT using commentaries and Greek/Hebrew tools in preparation for the sermon/message, I believe that he does himself and his flock a disservice.

[we5frogs]

I voted yes, but I think one has to be very careful that they are either only reading what has already been read by someone they trust and deemed to be biblically accurate, or that they are spiritually mature themselves and able to read without being swayed by statements that don't hold up biblically.

Either way, the Bible is the 'litmus test' against which all that is being read must stand up.

[Blessed be His Name]

Everyone has different gifts. Some people understand some things more than others and others undedrstand different things. We are all different parts of The Body and we must not isolate ourselves from those other parts, whether they be transmitted through books, sermons, or what I am typing here on Christian Forums.

[jangnim]

Books are fine but we must use our minds too. There are good books out there and bad.

[abednego]

Hey thanks for all the replys

[Strong in Him]

I voted yes, but I think with all those things there comes a point where you have to stop reading and just do it. I mean, if I want to know how to pray, then I could read a book, decide I don't like it, read another book, or a book on a different aspect of prayer. I could listen to accounts of answered prayer, and debate the reasons why prayers may not be answered. But none of this takes the place - or shouldn't - of my actually spending time with the Lord, talking to him and listening to what he is saying to me. I cannot live my prayer life through other people. Just like with getting close to the Lord, certain Christian preachers/authors may have brilliant turns of phrase in their writing or speaking, and I may read their books and hang on their every word. This is not what brings me closer to God, only doing it - spending time in his presence. Ultimately, other people cannot tell us how to live our lives or use our gifts, and they certainly cannot do it for us. Getting a little advice, or the benefit of others' experiences can be invaluable though.

[AngelAmidala]

I think too...that it depends on what book it is you're using.

Some authors are out there to just write their views on things, discredit everyone else, and make money. Others are not. And sometimes trying to figure out which one of those are okay and which ones aren't is a very hard task.