It’s not that I forgot my anniversary, it’s that I didn’t want to appear empty handed. And that is why I waited until I published a book review episode before I record this annual anniversary episode. But I couldn’t remember which year it was. Fourth year or fifth year? I had to look it up.

Hi, my name is Terence and I’m your host for Reading and Readers, a podcast where I normally review Christian books for you. But I haven’t been doing that for a while now.

Readers Don’t Need the New New Thing

Mainly because I had to juggle my MDiv studies with my church ministry responsibilities. I have also been surprised that despite my lack of activity, both the podcast and the website were still getting listeners and visitors.

When I thought about it, why should I be surprised? I am not doing a current affairs podcast. If I was podcasting about the war in Ukraine or Iran, then nobody would want to listen to an episode from one year ago. But I am podcasting about books. And my books can be from 200, 500, and even 1000 years ago. So, the people who listen or visit Reading and Readers tend to come just to get a review on a specific book they are interested in.

Readers Are Encouragers

Despite my heavy commitments, this podcast has never been far from my mind. In the back of my head I am always thinking, I should read that book and review it. It’s been too long since I did anything for Reading and Readers. But that thought fades away as soon as the next big urgent thing comes in.

Until Reading and Readers became the big urgent thing to do. A couple of weeks ago, I went to check my email inbox for Reading and Readers. I normally get spam. Rarely any interesting emails. But this time, I got two.

So I would like to do a shout out to Jim Chen from the US and Christina the ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher. It’s nice to be able to correspond with listeners. And I was incredibly encouraged by what they wrote. Thanks Jim and Christina for taking the time to write and be an encouragement to my soul.

Their emails got me to reflect on why I do this podcast. Why spend the time and money to maintain this whole thing? So, I go back to why I started in the first place. And this anniversary episode is the best time to remind myself and all the listeners out there on why this podcast exists.

No Reason Not to Read

First, there are many, many good books out there. Every year, writers, publishers, reviewers tell the world of all kinds of books for Christians. Books on theology, family, ministry, books on how to live, how to die and every how in between. Many of these books were written by people who have accumulated a lifetime of expertise or observations and have spent a year or more organising, writing, proof-reading with the hope that what they have laboured for so long would be helpful to readers somewhere out there.

So Few People Read

Second, so few people read now. If you want something entertaining, books are the last thing you would think of. If you want something educational or informative, on top of everything else, you have A.I., your own personal know-it-all. Books are rarely on people’s radars. I am talking about the general population. Not the dying breed of readers who are desperately clinging on this identity, “I am not a Netflix guy, I am a reader!” Very few people around me are readers and I see that as a big, big shame.

I have said this before and I will say it again, a lot of what I think and teach comes from what I have read, books that have taught me to think. I can think of many, many good books right now that can speak to many situations of need. But I cannot think of YouTube shorts or A.I. answers that have made any sort of lasting impression on me in my life.

And if you are not a reader, I don’t think you understand what I am saying here.

Great Books = Great Conversations

Reading a good book is as close as you can get to having a deep, long hours discussion with a informed conversationalist. You know how that feels like? You enjoy just listening to the wisdom coming out of a person, you love the exchange of ideas, and time just passes. And I am sure many of us have had good, good conversations with family and friends about life’s big questions. Now think about. Are those conversations not so much more memorable and formative than anything you watch on social media? Books give almost the same impact because you are doing a deep dive into someone’s mind or thoughts about a subject.

And it’s not a one way street, when you read a book, or at least it should not be a one way street, when you read a book, you are engaged. You are wrestling. Is what this guy saying real? I never knew that. I wonder how this makes sense in my life. How does this idea compare with other alternatives?

I am part of a children’s programme where parents would send their children to church to improve their English. And part of the programme is Bible storytelling. The children’s English is not very good. Even simple or basic English passages is beyond some of them. And there is this tension.

I could bridge that comprehension gap by using more pictures or videos in my lessons. But I resist so hard. I am really really reluctant to use pictures or videos when I teach the Bible whether it is in the church with adults, or with the youth, or with the children. Because I think one of the most important skills they need is to read.

God Did Not Send Us His Photo Gallery

My argument is God did not give us pictures or videos. Pictures and videos are definitely, 100%, helpful to explain, to describe, the story. But I don’t think that means shifting the medium away from the written word to a more media rich experience. I am not saying Bible story videos is bad or should be avoided. They have a place. I am saying we should all try harder to get everyone to read.

Fight it! Read for the Sake of Your Faith!

Recently my family, we had dinner with another family. And the topic came to reading. And the young lady at the table, a sister in Christ, shared how she used to read so much when she was schooling but she rarely reads anymore. Whenever she tries, she feels sleepy. I immediately jumped at her and said, “Try harder.” And I launched, this was over dinner, a short but emphatic explanation for why reading is so important to the Christian faith.

If you don’t read books, novels, anything, if you don’t read in general, it will be much harder to read the Bible. Because every other media you could consume is easier than reading. So, I told her, read for the sake of your faith.

Important Then, Still Important to Me Now

So, when Christina, in her email to me, asked what is the status of Reading and Readers, have I stopped podcasting for good? I said no. I know I should not have stopped for so long but I do think what I do here is important. As I explained to her, it is always my long term plan to review books in Reading and Readers.

And that is how Reading and Readers became the immediate big and urgent thing. I read the Francis Schaeffer book, published my review and I am now recording this long-delayed anniversary episode.

I have a few books in the pipeline. Let’s see how far I can sustain this pace before I need another word of encouragement from listeners. Thank you, always, for listening. And for the sake of your faith, please read a good book. Bye-bye.