Reflections:
Once When Books were Rare!
Bro. Tom Johns, Dallas, TX
THE DARKNESS PREVAILED
Just a few centuries ago, books were scarcely available anywhere in the world, especially in the Asian and African continents. Wherever the printed books were rare, the darkness hung over the horizon of human hearts. Myths and fairytales baffled curious minds and shaped cultural norms. The societies formed their preferred practices according to the impulses of the dominant individuals, generally to fulfill and satisfy their selfish desires.
The availability of printed materials threatened the very existence of the so-called ruling of upper class. Historians often designate the period between the 6th and 14th centuries as the Dark Age.
The light is commonly referred to as the presence of truth, justice, and knowledge and, darkness equated to falsehood, injustice, and superstitions. Freedom for independent thinking and opportunities to share the resulting wisdom with others generally increased, and focused and true wisdom flourished.
Before the arrival of Western Missionaries to India, we had been practicing a barbaric act called ‘Sati,’ when the widow of the diseased husband is also tossed into the funeral pyre, to be burned alive.
There were infant sacrifices to please the Deities, for which the upper-class people used the children of the lower class. Slavery prevailed all over the world well into the 19th and even into the 20th centuries.
There was a time in the Eastern culture when women were denied education; the sick ones were buried alive to prevent spreading the disease instead of trying to cure them.
THE SUNRISE
The influx of printed material and books contributed greatly to removing these barbaric acts and outlawing such practices. The printing of the Bible in English and then into several other local languages tremendously helped generate a thirst for knowledge and gain godly wisdom through its pages.
One of the greatest minds of the 4th century was St. Augustine of Hippo who formulated many of the Christian doctrines. Before his conversion, he was deeply troubled spiritually and was unable to find joy in his life. One day, in a mysterious way, he heard the refrain from a little child, “Take it and read, take it and read.” He felt that it was coming directly from heaven and pointedly sent to him.
Later Augustine wrote like this. “I stemmed my flood of tears and stood up, telling myself that this could only be a divine command to open my book of Scripture and read the first passage on which my eyes should fall. So, I hurried back and seized the book of Paul’s epistle and opened it, and in silence, I read the first page my eyes fell”.
The passage he read was Romans 13:13-14. “…Not in reveling and drunkenness, not in lust and wantonness, not in quarrels and rivalries. Rather, arm yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ; spend no more thought on nature and nature’s appetites.”
He continued to write about this, “As I came to the end of the sentence, it was as though the light of confidence flooded into my heart and all the darkness of doubt was dispelled.”
All these and everything about such a great man of God began by reading what was written. The words and books are powerful.
John Piper writes, “One of the great rediscoveries of the Reformation – especially of Martin Luther – was that the Word of God comes to us in the form of a book. In other words, Luther grasped this powerful fact; God preserves the experience of salvation and holiness from generation to generation using a book of revelation, not bishop of Rome – The word of God comes to us in a book.” [21 Servants of Sovereign Joy by John Piper]
AN ERA BEFORE COMPUTERS AND INTERNET
It is hard to imagine by the current generation about a time when there was no internet, mobile phones, texting, or emails. Many of the great minds and innovative pioneers, all worked without such modern amenities.
In Kerala, one such genius mind lived about a century ago and his name was K V Simon. He started as a young boy with a thirst for reading anything and everything he could get his hands on. But books were so rare in those days.
In his biography, written by Mr. T A Kurian M.A of Saugor, M. P, graphically describes Simon’s passion for reading throughout his life. He was known to have a book with him, under the dim light of a kerosene lamp, and would usually fall asleep with the book resting on his chest.
K V Simon acquired great knowledge and spiritual wisdom, although the circumstances were never conducive to a productive life. Despite that, he composed a large volume of poems depicting the whole book of Genesis and close to three hundred hymns in Malayalam, the language of Kerala. These were all accomplished without computers, modern bright lights, or a steady chair or desk. He gained knowledge through reading books and of course, with the help of the Holy Spirit; and left several books that he authored for the coming generation.
THE MODERN ERA
Now, we come to this modern era. We like everything visual and, or audible. The art of reading is becoming more of an ancient thing. It is necessary to recognize the modern conveniences of this electronic age and make use of it.
Only time will tell if the digital library can ever leave the same deep imprint upon human minds as the printed versions once had left and blessed many. It is of greater significance, whether through printed or electronic media that we devote our time and efforts to understand what God demands from us and make it a priority to be consumed with such thoughts.
That understanding would come only from reading or hearing and understanding the Word of God. May God grant us the drive to ‘do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God.’ [Micah 6:8] G&P
