By George Sinclair

I think it is important to have some balance in what I read.

It is important to read old texts. I must be protected from the tyranny of the new and modern (or postmodern nowadays!). It is important to read stories that are not serious. I like a regular dose of books where somebody dies within the first few chapters.

It is also important to read books by good contemporary Christian thinkers. Writers such as Kreeft, O'Donovan, or Stott are almost always a benefit to my heart and my mind. Lately, I have found it necessary to read books on some of the 'nuts and bolts' aspects of being a pastor. I have read John Maxwell to great personal profit. It is probably necessary to occasionally hear what the latest 'cutting edge' is that our Church seeks to impale itself on.

So I always read the Anglican journal and related documents. It is of the greatest importance that we be faithful in prayerfully reading the Bible. We need to have that daily life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ.

I will offer no advice on any of the above mentioned areas. If you need advice on how to balance these areas, seek out a Spiritual Director. I will however, offer some suggestions on one other category of reading-Periodicals and Journals.

My first choice is FIRST THINGS a monthly journal of religion and public life. (FIRST THINGS, Dept. FT. P.O.Box 3000, Denville, NJ, 07834-9847). Note that I will always provide you with the mailing address in brackets. Note as well, that most of these journals will provide you with a free introductory copy of the journal if you write and ask.

Back to First Things. It is of high intellectual quality. It covers theological, ethical and cultural issues. It is essential reading.
COMMENTARY (165 E 56th St., New York, NY 10126-0103). This is a premier journal of ideas, politics and cultural trends. It is not Christian, although many Christians write for it. The perspective is conservative.

CRUX, a Quarterly Journal of Christian Thought and Opinion published by Regent College. (Regent College, 580 University Boulevard, Vancouver, B.C., V6T 2E4). People such as J.I.Packer, Donald Lewis, Loren Wilkinson, (all ESSENTIALS speakers) and Eugene Peterson are regular contributors. Absolutely first rate.

THEMELIOS, an international ournal for theological and religious studies' students, (38 De Montfort Street, Leicester, England, LE1 7GP). This journal seeks to help people to think Biblically in the aforementioned areas. They excel in review articles. So they might take something like 'Rhetorical Criticism'.

Get a first rate orthodox Christian scholar conversant with the field in question. He would then outline what the area is, main figures, and provide a Christian critique. It is a superb way of keeping abreast of developments in theological and/or religious studies.

PRO ECCLESIA, a Journal of Catholic and Evangelical Theology. (P.O.Box 327, Delhi, NY 13753-0327). This is edited by Carl Braaten and Robert W. Jenson. First rate scholarship exploring points of agreement and disagreement between orthodox Protestants and Roman Catholics.

TYNDALE BULLETIN (36 Selwyn Gardens, Cambridge, England, CB3 9BA). A first rate British Evangelical Academic Journal that is published twice a year. People such as R.T. Beckwith and I. Howard Marshall are among the editors and contributors.