I thought this paragraph in which Spurgeon commented on minsters reading outside the Bible was thoughtful:
Having given precedence to the inspired writings, neglect no field of knowledge. The presence of Jesus on the earth has sanctified the realms of nature, and what He has cleansed call not you common. All that your Father has made is yours, and you should learn from it. You may read a naturalist’s journal, or a traveller’s voyage, and find profit in it. Yes, and even an old herbal, or a manual of alchemy may, like Samson’s dead lion, yield you honey. There are pearls in oyster shells, and fruits on thorny boughs. The paths of true science, especially natural history and botany, drop fatness. Geology, so far as it is fact, and not fiction, is full of treasures.
History–wonderful are the visions which it makes to pass before you–is eminently instructive; indeed, every portion of God’s dominion in nature teems with precious teachings. Follow the trails of knowledge, according as you have the time, the opportunity, and the peculiar faculty; and do not hesitate to do so because of any apprehension that you will educate yourselves up to too high a point. When grace abounds, learning will not puff you up, or injure your simplicity in the gospel. Serve God with such education as you have, and thank Him for blowing through you if you are a ram’s horn, but if there be a possibility of your becoming a silver trumpet, choose it rather.
This is from Lectures to My Students, chapter 15.
Of course Spurgeon in the first sentence states that one must give precedence to Scripture. The paragraph before what is cited talks about the importance of learning the Scripture and learning solid theology.
Yet reading for the preachers also gives the Pastor rest mentally and exercise another aspect of his mind. Reading about God’s world also provide ample illustrations for one’s sermon illustration.
For a Christian theology of reading, check out Christian Theology on Reading Series– Audio Mp3s and PDF available free.
The Domain for Truth 
Does this mean I still get to read the comics?
Haha, I think there is liberty for that. Stay tune for my weekend book review tommorow, it’ll be on a comic or comics.
I LOVE this! One of the early monastery orders allowed only Biblical reading and study; don’t think Aquinas belonged to that one…
Yeah don’t think Aquinas belonged to that one…lol
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Thanks for the reblog Vince! How are you?
You’re very welcome Pastor Jim! Today has been a good day, absolutely no pain. How’s the Ministry needs, what can I pray for. I also wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your prayers and follow up, very thankful to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for you and yours my friend!
Starting this week and into August I’ll be preaching a lot more and guest speaking many places. Please pray for me as I feel like I’m burned out tired. Thank Vincent. I’m thankful to hear you are doing better health wise or at least there’s not much pain today. Anything I can pray for you?
Will do, for me wisdom in my walk with our Lord.
[…] I posted on “Spurgeon on Preachers Reading Outside the Bible and Theology.” One commentator, patrickhawthorne01, wrote “Does this mean I still get to read the […]
The good Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said the same thing.
Really?? Any reference or quote you might have on hand? Thanks!
“Before I go on to other types of reading I would emphasise strongly the all-importance of maintaining a balance in your reading. . . .
One further remark about reading. General reading is also important. Why? Well, if there were no other reason—merely for the sake of relief for the mind. The mind needs rest. The man who is too tense and who over-taxes his mind will soon get into trouble. The mind must be given relief and rested. But to relieve your mind does not just mean that you stop reading; read something different. Read something quite different, and as you do so the mind can relax. A change in this respect is as good as a rest. And at the same time you will be adding to your stock of good general information, which is excellent as a background to preaching. So I advocate the reading of history. I mean now secular history, biographies, the history of statesmen, even the history of war, if you like.”
—D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, ‘Preaching and Preachers’ pg. 189, 193
It’s been a long time since I’ve read “Lectures to My Students,” Pastor Jim. The man not only talked about knowledge of God’s creation and the knowledge of his day, I understand that he was well read in a variety of subjects and that he could hold a pretty good conversation with those in other professions. How can we not be curious about the world God has made and the good products of the mind that man has imagined? I hope it’s obvious that I’m talking about the opposite of Babel like Spurgeon was here. Man is very capable with the help of God. A good example is the Christian George Washington Carver.
http://www.icr.org/article/science-man-god-george-washington-carver/
Like Mr. Spurgeon, Mr. Carver could take simple things and, with God’s help, spin them into something very good. 🙂
Amen Chris! A right and biblical view of creation and revelation should lead us to enjoy God’s creation and knowledge of His world! Of course we must not allow it to take the role of Scripture but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy His common grace as the wonderful example of George Washington Carver study and use of nature demonstrate! God bless you Chris! Hope you’re doing well, and good to hear from you!