Featured How many books are necessary?

I prefer the feel and smell of paper. I tend to keep them.

 

Over 10,000 and still picking up free books, why not, you might need them

 

I gave up a long time ago trying to keep any semblance of order to my library.

A few years ago I was convicted by this verse:

1 John 2
26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

At first I didn't include vs. 26 and concentrated my thinking on verse 27 and overlooked the context that these men who were trying to seduce the church John was addressing were false teachers, mere men who had not the Spirit.

So I do look for books by trustworthy authors along with inquiry of the LORD.
That keeps me busy enough.

But even at that I depend less on commentaries than I have in the past.
I do use my grammars and lexicons which are in reach of my desk (on it, around it, etc).

Currently in the senior group we are going through the Book of Hebrews and the commentary I am using is Peter O'Brien's The Letter to the Hebrews.

My suggestion FWIW is read/study/meditate upon the text first then have a primary trustworthy commentary.

I consulted with my pastor and to my surprise he had O'Brien books as well.
Though some have been recalled because he needs healthier documentation.

It always helps to consult with others when you buy books.

Ecclesiastes 12:12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

HankD

 

How many books is necessary?

At least one more. A book about proper grammar would be helpful.

 

Mama mia! Great you have the brothers! I hope you are better at organizing than I am.
I would never be able to find a book in that kind of a library - Dewey Decimal I presume.

I have a cousin on my fathers side, he's a Catholic scholar/professor with several rooms full of books in his basement. He mails me a box full every once in a while.

He lives up the street (Little Italy) from The Old North Church in Boston.
He and I were more like brothers growing up.
After mass my parents would visit his house (Uncle Joe) and eat most of the day then he and I would go see what mischief we could get into.

Never could convince him to "convert" but still trying.
We now have long theology conversations - still looking for mischief after six plus decades.


HankD

 

I went to an estate sale earlier this year and picked up some really good hard bound books for $.50-.75 each. The man was a baptist pastor. he had about 5000 books or so in his library.

 

Looks delightful