In a world that constantly offers new titles and fleeting ideas, the desire for lasting meaning is a deep human need. As the psalmist declares, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). The same longing that drives Joseph Sherrard to a nightstand of poetry, fiction, and theology can only be fully satisfied in the Light of Christ.
Read the source article to see the rich tapestry of books that shape his ministry.
The Human Longing for Meaning
Our culture’s hunger for control, knowledge, and narrative often masks a deeper condition: sin that blinds us to our true purpose. The apostle Paul writes, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). When we chase after the next best‑selling novel or the latest philosophical treatise, we are, in effect, trying to fill a void that only God can satisfy.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”
—Jeremiah 17:9 (ESV)
Sherrard’s confession that he reads Augustine’s Confessions, Jane Austen, and even Cormac McCarthy’s The Road reveals a soul searching for a narrative that points beyond the page to the ultimate story of redemption.
Christ the True Author of All Wisdom
Jesus Himself is the Wisdom of God, the source of every true insight. The apostle Paul reminds us that in Christ “the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” (Colossians 2:9), and that He “is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (Colossians 1:15). No amount of human literature can replace the revelation found in Him.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
—John 1:1‑3 (ESV)
When Sherrard revisits Augustine’s catechetical guide, “Instructing Beginners in the Faith,” he is, in effect, returning to a voice that points back to Christ’s own teaching, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). The books we love become vessels that can either point us to Him or distract us from Him.
Living It Out: A Pastoral Reading Discipline
Pastors are called to shepherd souls, and the discipline of reading can be a powerful tool for discipleship when shaped by the gospel.
1. Anchor Every Book in Scripture
- Before opening a new work, pray for the Holy Spirit to illuminate any truth that aligns with God’s Word (John 16:13).
- After reading, compare the author’s insights with biblical truth; keep a journal noting where Scripture affirms, corrects, or challenges the ideas encountered.
2. Choose Books That Cultivate the Virtues of the Gospel
- Fiction that reveals grace, mercy, and redemption—such as Marilynne Robinson’s Gilead—helps us see the kingdom at work in ordinary lives (Luke 10:25‑37).
- Poetry that lifts the soul toward the divine, like Malcolm Guite’s After Prayer, reminds us that worship is both word and wonder (Psalm 19:1‑4).
3. Read in Community
- As Sherrard discovers, discussing books with fellow believers “inevitably [leads] to learning more than I would on my own.” This reflects the biblical principle that “iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17).
- Form a reading group that meets monthly to explore a work, always beginning and ending with prayer for the gospel to be the lens through which all discussion passes.
4. Let the Gospel Shape Your Writing
- When you write, remember C.S. Lewis’s observation that “the great thing about the gospel is that it’s a story that never ends.” Let every article, sermon, or blog post point readers to the “unending love of God” (Romans 5:8).
- Follow Sherrard’s example of diligent revision; the apostle Paul urges us to “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1), which includes the careful crafting of our words.
Proclaiming the Gospel in Every Page
Related Reading: See how Gods Word equips believers in The Sword of the Spirit, and explore how technology and faith intersect. For daily encouragement, read our June Reflections.
Every book we open is an invitation to encounter the truth of God’s redemptive story. The human condition—brokenness, longing, and the pursuit of control—finds its answer only in Jesus Christ, who “gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age” (Galatians 1:4). By reading with a heart attuned to Scripture, we allow the gospel to transform not only our minds but also the lives we shepherd.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
—Ephesians 2:8‑10 (ESV)
May we, like Joseph Sherrard, fill our nightstands with books that point us back to the One who is the true Author of all wisdom. May every page we turn, every note we write, and every conversation we have be soaked in the grace that saves, the truth that sets free, and the love that draws all people to Christ.
