Permission must be obtained from the copyright holder for any other purpose, or for multiple copies.
3 - More recommendations
THE speaker who said, "This is a book which every Christadelphian should read" was both a keen reader and an enthusiast, a combination many people would regard as tricky! He was referring to a book by Martin Gilbert, presently out of print but which we hope to stock at The Office when available.
But how do you know what's worth reading and what isn't? This article suggests one or two places where you can get recommendations, and more information is available on our website if you have access to the internet. Tell us about your own recommendations and we shall include some of those on the web, or in the "Letters" page.
"A New Creation"
In 1989 Brother George Booker wrote this book which he subtitled A Manual for New Christadelphians, Young Christadelphians and Prospective Christadelphians. It includes some helpful ideas about how to start studying the Bible and has a chapter which lists some "Recommended Reading". In different categories, Brother George listed over sixty Christadelphian books that he considered useful - for First Principles, Bible Study, Living the Truth, Exhortation, Exposition and suchlike. Some are still available new, others can be found in the second-hand section. Recommendations from his list can be found on the website. If you haven't seen the book (which may be reprinting soon), and would like a copy of the recommended booklist, it's available on application (for 50p plus postage).
We should want to read what brothers and sisters have written because we are interested in their point of view and want to learn from them. That's probably why you are reading this magazine and others like it. When Brother Thomas was writing works like Elpis Israel and Eureka he had no other works of the Truth to guide him: he was blazing a trail! But it is clear that he made good use of the reference works that were available like Rollin's Ancient History or Elliott's Horae Apocalypticae. They served to stimulate him and gave a point of view that sharpened his own perception of what was right.
Christadelphian writings
We live at a privileged time so far as available books are concerned. The present Christadelphian Office book catalogue (also available on request, or viewable on-line) lists over one hundred new books, many of them written within the last twenty years, and others originating from our early days as a community. This is a heritage we should value and the Christadelphian Magazine and Publishing Association exists in part to keep those works available. But we don't keep our heritage alive by having a stockroom full of old stock. We each keep it alive by reading and appreciating the insights contained in those works. They ought to be our spiritual stock-in-trade.
Some readers, including ecclesial librarians, have a standing order so that a copy of every new book which is published comes to them automatically. It's a real help to CMPA finances to know that several hundred books will be sold up-front, for it can be the case that it takes a while for new publications to be known about, and even longer before people get around to buying a copy. Nowadays cash flow is as important to organisations in the brotherhood as it is elsewhere.
But it is not all about money, important though that is if we want to be part of a vibrant and effective brotherhood which can fulfil the Lord's work. It is about being stimulated by the things we believe and being motivated to try even better to love the Lord and to serve him effectively.
