The 1000 Good Books and 100 Great Books reinforce and define Western Civilization, which is built upon the Biblical worldview. They are worthy literature. However, parents and educators tend to put the books on lists like these on a pedestal, and view the reading of them as the ultimate goal to attain in literature.
But as good as they are, they are not the greatest literature nor the ultimate goal to attain. They should not be on the pedestal, but merely clustered around its base. These books, as good as they are, are all authored by fallible men, after all. There is one book which does deserve to be on the pedestal, authored by the infallible God: the Bible.
It isn’t that the 1000 Good Books and 100 Great Books should be entirely shunned unless and until daily Bible reading is the heart of the home and the homeschool. Worthy literature is better to be read than whatever is popular in the culture at the moment, after all. But we should put these lists on a far lower priority than daily Bible immersion. Why?
God’s Word is greater than the greatest great book.
God’s Word is true, inerrant, and unchanging.
God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Num 23:19.
The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. You shall keep them, O Lord, You shall preserve them from this generation forever. Psa 12:6-7.
The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever. Psa 119:160.
God’s Word is the plumb line by which we judge the merit of every other idea presented in every other book.
The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken. Behold, they have rejected the word of the Lord; so what wisdom do they have? Jer 8:9.
From where then does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?
It is hidden from the eyes of all living, and concealed from the birds of the air.
Destruction and Death say, ‘We have heard a report about it with our ears.’
God understands its way, and He knows its place.
For He looks to the ends of the earth, and sees under the whole heavens,
To establish a weight for the wind, and apportion the waters by measure.
When He made a law for the rain, and a path for the thunderbolt,
Then He saw wisdom and declared it; He prepared it, indeed, He searched it out.
And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,
And to depart from evil is understanding.’ Job 28:20-28.
God’s Word is necessary food for the healthy growth of heart and mind.
It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ Mat 4:4.
As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby. 1 Pet 2:2.
God’s Word is living and active, treasure hidden in the heart from which the Holy Spirit draws daily wisdom and guidance to our recollection.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb 4:12
My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you,
So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding;
Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding,
If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. Pro 2:1-6.
God’s Word is the fence for our path, as well as our course corrector.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psa 119:105.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Tim 3:16.
God’s Word put on flesh and died for us because of His great love for us (Joh 1:1, 14).
A plow boy with a circumcised heart to love God, and who knows his Bible, is a greater expert than the university doctor, published scientist, acclaimed statesman, or best-selling author put together.
I have more understanding than all my teachers; for Your testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Your precepts. Psa 119:99-100.
ONE THOUSAND GOOD BOOKS | USING THE LIST | 1-3 PRIMARY | 4-6 ELEMENTARY | 7-9 JUNIOR | 10-12 SENIOR
THE PRIMACY OF SCRIPTURE | ON GOOD BOOKS | PLUNDERING THE EGYPTIANS | THE GREAT BOOKS
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