WHEN IT COMES to books there’s nothing like holding a hardback, clothbound ‘Banner of Truth’ in your hands. In comparison to other books, they are a work of art. Their quality is superior to other well known publishers. They are heavier in weight – not like others that defy the law of gravity if you were to drop them. The pages consist of the finest paper with a smooth textured finish and feel to the hands – not the crude type that is almost an irritant to the fingertips. Their pages comprise of an off-white creamy hue which makes it gentler on the eyes – not the dazzling bleached-white effect where one reaches for solar eclipse shades to reduce the glare. Last, but not least, the hallmark of Banner’s hardbacks (which, I admit, is not confined to these alone – but they don’t q-u-i-t-e do it as well as Banner!) have that distinguished Smyth sewn binding that makes such books durable for years on end.

I confess – and to no shame – that I prefer to hold a book, worth its ‘weight’ in gold (pun intended), than to read off a Kindle or other e-book format; there’s nothing quite like the real McCoy. Virtual reality will never outdo organic matter. CGI (Computer Generated Imagery), ingenious as it is, will never have the same aesthetic and personal feel as an original painting. So, as ‘old fashioned’ or ‘unsophisticated’ as it may sound, in preference I would stick to what is not an illusion but what is actually real and especially… Banner style!

Having said that, it’s the message and content that counts more than anything else. ‘Banner of Truth’ is widely known for its republication of Puritan works as well as other more recent publications and as a result, millions of readers over the last 50 years have known a growing and reigniting thirst for such rich and unsurpassable spiritual counsel. For the history of ‘The Banner of Truth Trust’ click here. Hardly anything of today’s Christian literature compares to the depth of the Puritan pastoral heart. Many are put off by Puritan literature, but let me say (along with countless of others) that after having read them, one is fed with manna from heaven. It’s getting past this ill-informed notion that nothing could be drier, tedious or irrelevant. I thank God that we have access to such to spiritual wealth and it is of great encouragement that many in our generation of Christians are unearthing these timeless and classical gems.

However, one of the pitfalls today is the danger of studying theology academically which has become in many circles the main approach while the spiritual aspect takes ‘second seat’. Let there be no misunderstanding here, academia is not wrong – God gave us brains to be used to the best of our capacity. There certainly is a level of academics when studying, but the subtlety is where the letter of the Word is divorced from heart application; an overemphasis on the letter of God’s Word while missing the Spirit of it. The religious leaders, in Jesus’ time were ‘experts’ in interpreting and expounding the Old Testament but failed to perceive the Messiah right before their very eyes (John 5:39-40). Above all, the Bible is a spiritual book; it dissects us; it is not us dissecting and analysing it, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

I recall reading Louis Berkhoff’s Systematic Theology which is one of the best out there. It takes some concentration and serious thinking, but is well worth the time and effort. One particular section (on Christ being our High Priest) had me in tears and I remember praying, “Lord, don’t ever let me read theology with a dry eye…” That is one of the downfalls of what many Bible colleges and theological seminaries have become; many read and study with their heads while their hearts remain numb and as Leonard Ravenhill said, “You can have 32 degrees and still be frozen.” Rather than graduating seminary, broken by the Shepherd in order to truly shepherd, pride of knowledge has breathed an air of superiority. In God’s name, if it wasn’t for His grace we’d all still be grovelling in the dust fast on our way to hell!

In all of our studying theology, are we moved as a result to know God better – not about Him but to know Him? Are we moved to prayer (an inevitable expression of deep desire) with an insatiable thirst until God answers? Do we have that hunger as did Paul: “that I may know Him…”? Can we say with Mary Artemesia Lathbury:

Beyond the sacred page
I seek Thee, Lord;
My spirit pants for Thee,
O Living Word.

If that is our desire then studying theology will become truth on fire.