My love affair with books arrived
at an early age. I read early and read often. Its kind of surprising really
that I was never a better student, especially considering I read everything I
could lay my hands on. Books opened new worlds and new thoughts to me and my
young appetite was insatiable. I remember the excitement of the visiting Bookmobile,
bringing home books from school, and earning money to buy books from the
school’s book service.
When our older girls were very
young someone recommended a book to me. At the time I was having a crisis of
faith. Having been raised in a Christian home I was trying to make sense out of
some of the things I thought I believed, and my efforts seemed futile. I
couldn’t make sense out of some of what I’d been taught and every question
raised only seemed to raise another. A wise friend recommended a book. At the
time it was a very expensive book and for a young family it would have surely
been ill-advised to waste money on such extravagances. Knowing my conflicted
thoughts and doubts my friend said, ‘Buy the book. It may help.’
In the days before the Internet
and Amazon Prime books were much harder to find. I asked at the library and a
local Christian bookstore and found myself only to be met with vacant stares.
The response from the Christian bookstore was predictable. They had all kinds
of ‘Christian’ trinkets, art, music and books, but this book was nowhere to be
found. It so happened that there was no market for the book I was looking for
in a Christian bookstore. The woman behind the counter was kind enough to look
up the title on the microfiche. I’m really sounding old now, but a microfiche
was a machine that magnified very small print from a sheet of Mylar and
transposed it to be read upon a screen. On these Mylar sheets were printed
hundreds of book titles and publishing information. The search began and as we
scrolled through the titles there it was - L. Berkhof, Systematic Theology, 1981, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids. I went home and saved my pennies and
ordered a copy. After weeks of waiting it finally arrived.
Within the pages of a dry and
dusty book on systematic theology God began to use an old Dutch Calvinist seminary
professor to help frame my thinking. The pieces began to fit. I was able to make
sense out of my Christian faith and out of the world I found myself in. Louis
Berkhof became a familiar friend, mentor, and an ad hoc counselor to a young
man in need. I don't think it's too strong to say, an old book written by an old man saved my life. I can walk into my study now and see
the book on my shelf, soon 35 years later, weathered and watermarked from
carrying it to work in my lunch pail and dragging it along on vacation’s past.
There within its pages are penciled notes, underlining, and highlights from
years gone by. I’ve returned again and again to that book. Professor Berkhof
has become one of several counselors of whom I make frequent inquiry. The
Internet may have its advantages but it will never replace this book. This
single volume, like a few others, have become faithful and trusted friends over
the years.
Friends, never underestimate the
power of a book.
-DJM
8/26/2016
