Sermon On The Wonder & Beauty Of Books

Marcus Tullius Cicero, a Roman statesman and lawyer once remarked: “A room without books is like a body without a soul.” Revelation 20:11-15 reminds us: “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

Thursday 6th March 2025 celebrated World Book Day, and is considered one of the highlights of the year at the National Literacy Trust. A Book is defined as a collection of written or printed pages that may also contain illustrations. There are several classifications of books that fall into two principle categories, those of fiction and non-fiction. They are generally considered beneficial to all with reading abilities as they can provide additional knowledge, information or fictional stories that can enthrall. They attempt to encourage understanding and guidance, which may suggest solutions to complex situations. One of the most published and purchased books ever, has to be the Bible.

The Bible is an anthology of 66 separate books that contain religious texts and scriptures held by many doctrines as sacred. These are divided into two principle categories, namely the Old and New Testaments. Just as fiction and non-fiction differ in factual properties, so the Old and New Testaments could be considered to deviate from each other over a specific timespan, but still relate a former connection to the present and beyond. Both are regarded as a blessing from God. Hebrews 4:12-16 reminds us: “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. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Books may be considered a "wonder" in their structured format because they have the scope and ability to transport readers to new and perhaps unexplored places, whether that be in fiction or reality. A sense of adventure may be encompassed which introduces one to diverse principles, and sparks imagination combined with critical thinking, essentially creating a sense of awe and amazement through the power of narration and knowledge. It may encourage a valuable source of wonder and exploration in the mind of the reader. Books can also be considered a form of beauty, not just in the quality of appearance, although some are exquisitely bound, but particularly when appreciating the artistry in the writing ability, the power of the story, the depth of individual characters, and the way language is used to evoke emotions and imagery, making the overall experience aesthetically pleasing. However, it should be remembered that this perception of beauty is purely subjective, and depends on both the individual reader and the contents of the book itself.

Words have infinite power and meaning, The reflective words of God in the Bible are of even greater importance and significance. They can shape individual perceptions, influence actions and explain complexities. They can comfort, correct, guide, or suggest alternatives that aid a deeper understanding or meaning in life.

Proverbs 18:1-21 reminds us: “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace. The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice. A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys. The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.