PAGE 3: How Calvin and Hobbes Taught Me How to Read
- You’ll have conversations you’ll never have otherwise.
Last summer, a friend and I traded books: I loaned out my copy of C.S. Lewis’s The Great Divorce, and got a copy of Brian McLaren’s Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road? If you guessed that my friend and I occasionally disagree on theological matters, you would be right…
I had never read McLaren’s work, and, I’m sorry to say, was biased against it solely because of hearsay. To my great surprise, I found myself nodding assent often, and discovered much to provoke further thought. McLaren did a great job of bringing authors like René Girard to a popular audience, and I emerged from the book the richer for having read it.
When we came back together, the books got returned – but more importantly, we shared our thoughts. The Great Divorce challenged my friend, too, and this sort of cross-pollination of thought made our friendship stronger and our faith richer.
- You’ll learn not to take words for granted.
A friend of mine is reading Brennan Manning’s wonderful book The Ragamuffin Gospel this summer. Earlier today, he sent me a simple text: “My dear man, your halo is on too tight.”
I stared at it, wondering what in the world he meant. Then I remembered the book. If anyone saw me laughing as I walked across campus that morning, that was why.
That simple quote – casual, commonsense, and funny – came out of nowhere and pinned me to the mat, spiritually speaking. For a minute there, the words were no longer part of a friendly, harmless Brennan Manning anecdote. Those words spoke to me about my need to control, my tendency to worry, and all the things that stop me from giving grace to others. I couldn’t take the words for granted any more. In fact, I’m pretty sure my friend has permanently dislocated that little sentence from its place in the book – I won’t be able to read it the same way again.
Go out and find a friend and a book and start on page one. You’ll start learning to read again, and you’ll discover a brand new world together. Get out there. Go exploring.
——-
Joe Krall is an ERB intern this summer, and a senior at The University of Indianapolis.
IMAGE CREDIT: Cover detail from The Calvin and Hobbes Lazy Sunday Book
C. Christopher Smith is the founding editor of The Englewood Review of Books. He is also author of a number of books, including most recently How the Body of Christ Talks: Recovering the Practice of Conversation in the Church (Brazos Press, 2019). Connect with him online at: C-Christopher-Smith.com
 Reading for the Common Good From ERB Editor Christopher Smith "This book will inspire, motivate and challenge anyone who cares a whit about the written word, the world of ideas, the shape of our communities and the life of the church." -Karen Swallow Prior Enter your email below to sign up for our weekly newsletter & download your FREE copy of this ebook! |
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