I've really been slacking on my reading this year.
Too much time on the internet, and not enough time devoted to books.
I decided to visit the library and pick up a few titles. I find that if I check out books from the library, I am often more likely to read them because they have a deadline attached, as opposed to books I own that are piled up on my night stand collecting dust.
This month, our local library is offering The Great Fall Read, a sort of community challenge with games and prizes. The book they chose was The New Annotated Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson.
The book is filled with lots of images and facts about movies and comic book spinoffs, as well as some biographical info about the author.
There are also a lot of footnotes provided.
Here's something I found interesting. There were a lot of biblical references in this story. And when you think about it, the whole premise of the book makes you think of the nature of man, and St. Paul's description of himself when he writes " Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" Romans 7:24
There is a reference to the prisoners of Philippi.
The author mentions the Babylonian finger on the wall.
He notes "a city of refuge."
He makes reference to the war that rages within his members.
In Stevenson's day, the reader would no doubt have caught each reference instantly.
But in this newly published edition, the annotator had to put a footnote for each reference, explaining that it pertains to certain bible passages.
Quite simply, this generation is biblically illiterate.
It makes me wonder how often a high school teacher or college professor has to explain themes or archetypes to students because they have no frame of reference.
I read a book called Religious Literacy by Stephen Prothero that explores this subject. The author said that only 10 % of Americans can name the top five major religions of the world, and 15% couldn't name one. Only half of Americans could name one Gospel, and most couldn't even name the first book of the bible.
Politicians and speakers continue to throw out phrases like "brother's keeper". But do the hearers even know what that alludes to?
We all need to spend more time in the Word, myself included.
There are so many distractions in this modern age. Movies, television, podcasts, YouTube videos, Insta feeds. Look here! Shiny objects!
This is something I really need to work on. Unplugging.
Reading feels like a good place to start.
Ah, reading......my favorite pastime. I hope you'll share here what you read and give a review of each book. Pre-drivers' licenses, I drove my 3 girls SO many places and often had to wait. With a book permanently tucked away in my purse, the waits never bothered me. Now I drive the elderly to medical appointments and when they apologize for the wait (they always do, sweet, considerate people that they are) I tell them, "No worries! I have a book! Take as long as you need!" Books and reading are gifts from God, truly, with His Word being the greatest literary gift.
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