The student
center at Ashland has a table in one corner for free items. It is a place where
students can come to collect food that is donated weekly by local businesses. I
suppose such tables are a regular fixture at most seminaries and I remember
needing to take advantage of the free groceries on occasion when I was in
seminary.
In addition
to food and clothing it is not unusual to find a couple of books that are
either free for the taking or require a small donation. This morning I carried
a pile of biblical studies journals that I no longer need nor want on my shelf.
They are all online now and easier to search that way. So I thought I would
donate them to those who might get more use from them.
As I was
making my deposit I noticed two boxes of books for sale. The sign on the box
read: “Large books $10, small books $5.” On the front of each box was an
envelope where monies were to be placed. I began looking through the boxes and
quickly realized that these were not merely someone’s cast offs, part of the
process of making room. No, these were seminary text books; the volumes that
professors require on the syllabus; the books we think you need to read in
order to get a grasp of the topics we are teaching. Even more troubling was
that it was clear that many of them had not been cracked, let alone read. I
found books on Jesus and Paul, church history and the polity of a particular
denomination and a Hebrew primer still in the plastic wrap.
I searched
for a name in the books, but could find none and wondered what the story was
behind the books. Why would a student be getting rid of so many books and at
cut rate prices? Were they having financial problems? Did they suddenly have to
leave seminary? Had they just given up?
It always disturbs
me to see a list of books for sale by students. From time to time I will see an
advert for books with the name of a graduating senior as the contact person. It
makes me wonder why they would sell all of their books. Did they really hate
the books that much? Did they disagree with the author or the approach? Did
they consider their education over and therefore also the need to read and
learn? Would they never need any of these books once they got into the ministry?
I realize
that not every book assigned in a course will have long term value. Sometimes a
professor will require a book and then realize it didn’t work for the course.
And I have sold some of my books over the years as I updated or moved into
different areas of study. But I still keep many of them around for reference,
to look up the answers that I need and to find the information that I require.
I wonder, then, to where will these students go if/when they need information in
their ministry, when they are trying to remember what it is we taught him or
her? Do they assume they can get everything they need on the internet? Or do
they think they only need their Bible? On both scores I have my doubts.
I remember
hearing a saying about pastors many years ago. It went something like this: “You
can tell when someone graduated from seminary by looking at when the most
recent book on their shelf was published.” In other words, too many pastors stop
reading when they finish seminary. Perhaps some sold all of their books. I wonder where they will go when they need to
look up a question. Do they look up anything? Do they have any questions?
I remember
another story I once heard. It was about a young student who wanted to study
the Torah, but had little money for books. One day the young man’s Rabbi asked him
why his breath smelled so bad. The young man responded by telling the Rabbi
that he spent all of his money on books for studying so that he had been forced
to eat road apples for food.
I am not
asking students and pastors to eat road apples. But I would ask them to think
before they sell all of their books. They just might need them again someday.
My friend and colleague, Allan Bevere, has chimed in on the topic. Here is part of what he has to say.
If I were a
parishioner interviewing a pastor as a potential candidate to shepherd my
congregation, one of the questions I would ask is "What books have you
read in the last year?" I dare say the answer more often than not would be
quite disappointing.
Yes, there
are certainly pastors who continue the life of study throughout their years in
the parish. But I fear that there are all too many whose pursuit of the truth
stopped once they received that seminary diploma at graduation. Yes, they may
read a few things here or there, but they are more interested in spending the
evenings watching reality TV than continuing to grapple with the great
theological truths of our faith. Some may think that indictment is too harsh,
but my experience tells me that it is on target.
It has been a while since I had a giveaway, so why not today?
