A Love of Reading

by J. Oswald Sanders

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction

39 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2017

About the author

J. OSWALD SANDERS (1902-1992) was a Christian leader for nearly seventy years and authored more than forty books on the Christian life including The Incomparable Christ, Spiritual Discipleship, Spiritual Leadership, and Spiritual Maturity. He left a promising law practice in his native New Zealand to serve as an instructor and administrator at the Bible College of New Zealand. Dr. Sanders later became general director of the China Inland Mission (now the Overseas Missionary Fellowship), and was instrumental in beginning many new missions projects throughout East Asia.

Reviews

[Will Raby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but well put summary of why to read, what to read and how to read. Features little nuggets of quotes from well known authors and other books. As someone who struggles to read often, i've found this a helpful nudge for me to get back into a well postured pattern of healthy reading.

[Lauren Klomparens]

Short booklet on the importance of loving to read. This came with a book purchase I made and I enjoyed his arguments for love of reading.

[NinaB · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband brought a free copy of this book from a recent conference he attended. It’s a short little book that gives the why, what and how of reading good books. It’s a chapter taken from the author’s famous book, Spiritual Leadership.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I’d read this sooner! Such great reminders and truths for the aspiring reader. A few nuggets-

“Read to have fellowship with great minds”

“If we read merely to stock our head with ideas, to feel superior to others, or to appear learned, we read in vain.”

“Don’t be afraid of new ideas- and don’t be carried away with them either.” -M. Ormrod

“Shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, and drinking largely sobers us again.” -A. Pope

“We can read without thinking, but such reading has no profit for us.”

“Little learning and much pride comes from hasty reading. Some men are disabled from thinking by their putting meditation away for the sake of much reading. In reading let your motto be, ‘much, not many’”— Spurgeon

[Warren Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great encouragement to read and read well. I should take time to read this little book every year. I think it would help me keep my focus in how and what I want to read. I received a free copy through an order from 10ofthose.com.

[Reed Schafer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shoot bro, read this now before you read another book!!!

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful little book - just a chapter from Oswald Sanders book on Spiritual Leadership. Cannot endorse his enthusiasm for Charles Finney's Lectures On Revival. Avoid Finney's theology like the plague. Too many have been screwed up by his faulty theology, assuming that revival tarries only because of some sin in my life - & that I can be an instrument of revival if I obey the conditions. That theology comes through in the writings of people like Keith Green & Leonard Ravenhill. admire his passion for souls but recommend reading Finney only to see why he went wrong. I'd recommend reading Lloyd-Jones messages in The Puritans & Their Successors" (Banner of Truth) to understand the error of that whole approach to Revivalism - or read Iain Murray's 'Revival & Revivalism".

[Neil Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute little booklet you can read easily in one sitting. It challenged me to consider quality over quantity - to choose books as one would choose friends, and to read much rather than necessarily reading many. May God enable all of us to divide our time wisely between loving people directly by being with them and serving them, and more indirectly by praying for them and reading so we are more equipped to bless them when we see them.

[Jane Riordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gem of a tiny book - excerpts from a longer book by J Oswald Sanders, and originally aimed at church leaders, but with wisdom and advice which is relevant for everyone.

Guidance on reading with purpose and extending one's reading of Christian / faith literature.

A good little read for anyone with a love of reading, to bring purpose to your reading and to reap benefits within your spiritual life.

[Zak Mellgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little booklet published by 10ofthose is a great, inspiring primer on how to think Christianly on reading. It's taken from a chapter of a larger work by J. Oswald Sanders on spiritual leadership, so pastors are in view, but this booklet applies to every Christian. I'm all in favor of calling Christians up to more meaningful reading, so I'm glad this is one of the booklets 10ofthose hands out occasionally. Well done!

[Joseph Abudar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short delightful appeal for the "People of the Book" to be people of books. Christians who care about praising Jesus the right way ought to know who he is and how we are to praise him. It gives practical tips for effective reading and provocative reasons for reading. An excellent way for 10ofthose to celebrate their 10th anniversary.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a selected chapter from J. Oswald Sanders famous book, Spiritual Leadership and was the exact encouragement I was hoping for here at the beginning of 2022.

Favorite line: "Leaders should determine to spend a minimum of half an hour a day reading books that feed the soul and stimulate the mind." (p. 14)

[Colby Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian Spring; There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, And drinking largely sobers us again.” -Alexander Pope

Read to know Jesus and to serve others. Also to have fellowship with other great thinkers. Read less books more thoughtfully.

[Aaron Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pamphlet containing the chapter on reading from Sanders' book *Spiritual Leadership*. The merit and necessity of reading is discussed. A general method of reading is given. However, some of Sanders' examples are problematic.

[Hopson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This tiny book was originally published as a chapter in Sanders’ seminal work, Spiritual Leadership. Could be a helpful resource to give away to a Christian who struggles to see the importance of reading.

[Chloe Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short read that completes what it sets out to do. Could use a little more advice on what to read, and perhaps a recommended reading list would be a nice added touch, but otherwise it's effectively straight to the point.

[Samuel Kassing · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief booklet on reading and it’s good for the spiritual life.

[Rob Bridgewater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short - but helpful in encouraging us to read. I’d like to have seen a bit more on the kinds of books we might want to read, but tips on reading the best books well were welcome.

[Jason Wilson]

An excerpt from something bigger but helpful .