Building a Theological Library, Part 1

Part one of a panel discussion on the importance of books and building a theological library. The panel begins by discussing the book medium and its importance and then moves to general principles in building a library. Part one concludes with book recommendations for the theological encyclopedia.

1. General mindset
   1. Books are more important than your television. Read Amusing Ourselves to Death (no, there’s not a video version on youtube).
   2. When you hear of a great book that you would like to read, put it on a wishlist. The next time you have a handful of books on your list and can spare the money, buy them.
2. Building a general library
   1. You don’t want to waste your money
   2. Bigger isn’t necessarily better
3. Why build a library?
   1. This might be the only theological library you have access to.
   2. As a pastor, your congregation will probably be asking you to borrow books.
   3. You’ll have something to pass on to your children.
4. Types of books to get
   1. Average churchgoer
   2. Elder/deacon/well-informed church member
   3. Pastor
      1. Commentaries – check out Longman and Carson’s commentary surveys
      2. Build with the classics, not the trendy, e.g. Get James Bannerman’s The Church of Christ before you get Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Church (if you must get it all)
   4. Scholar (you should call in and tell us)
5. Where to buy
   1. Abebooks
   2. used.addall.com
   3. Amazon.com (use our links, help pay our web hosting fees)
   4. wtsbooks.com
   5. Credo Books
   6. eBay / half.com

Panel Members

• Jim Cassidy
• Jeff Waddington
• Camden Bucey

Links

• Green Baggins
• Against Heresies
• Christianity: Doctrine and Ethics
• Heidelblog
• Building Old School Churches
• Ligonier Recommended Commentaries
• Westminster Recommended Reading List
• Abe Books
• AddAll Used Book Search
• LibraryThing
• Book Jacket Covers

Participants: Camden Bucey, Jeff Waddington, Jim Cassidy