Parents,

For today’s Thursday Thoughts, I can’t do better than to steer you to Dr. Al Mohler’s blog post yesterday entitled, “Dumbing Down Literacy–Do Your Kids Read Books?”

Dr. Mohler opens with an insightful analysis of a recent Washington Post article, profiling the changes in modern student literacy. The article explains how the modern approach to literacy doesn’t necessarily connect to reading:

The buzzword in the trade is “information literacy,” a misnomer, because what it is really about is mastering computer skills, not promoting a love of reading and books. These days, librarians measure the quality of returns in data-mining stints. We teach students how to maximize a database search, about successful retrieval rates. What usually gets lost in the scramble is a careful reading of the material.

Some parents will argue, “so what?” Times are a-changing, right? Electronic media are replacing older forms. Old with the old, in with the new, they say. What’s the problem? Dr. Mohler goes on to explain why Christian parents should put the brakes on book-abandoning:

Librarians and secular educators have ample reason for concern, but Christians must look at this reality with an even greater concern.

Reading is an important Christian discipline. Further, growth as a Christian disciple is closely tied to the reading of the Bible, as well as worthy Christian books. This is why the Christian church has championed the cause of literacy. It is why the Reformers fought for the translation of the Scriptures into vernacular languages.

A loss of literacy and respect for the book amounts to grave danger for the Christian church. The transmission of Christian truth has been closely tied to scrolls, codices, and books throughout the history of the Church — a legacy inherited from the Jews, who often protected the sacred scrolls with their lives.

The electronic media have their places and uses, and I am thankful for the accessibililty of so much worthy and important information through digital means. Nevertheless, the electronic screen is not the venue for lengthy, thoughtful, serious reading. The vehicle for serious reading is the book, and the Christian should be a serious reader.

Do our own young people read books? Do they know the pleasures of the solitary reading of a life-changing page? Have they ever lost themselves in a story, framed by their own imaginations rather than by digital images? Have they ever marked up a page, urgently engaged in a debate with the author? Can they even think of a book that has changed the way they see the world . . . or the Christian faith? If not, why not?

Does Dr. Mohler have your attention? Is there a solution here? A way forward? I think perhaps there is. A few suggestions:

1. Kids will follow their parents. Is reading a part of your life? A priority that can be demonstrated to your teen? If they can follow your passion for reading, they will be more likely to pick up that book as well.
2. Reading is a learned art. It may take time. Make it a part of your family dinner, or a regular weekend event. Or schedule daily time to just sit and read together (unplug the TV and the computer!).
3. Kids will read if they are inspired by the subject material. Choose books for your teen wisely, tracking interests and selecting topics appropriately.

Let’s get reading. The future of the Church’s love for God’s Word is at stake.

Categories: Thursday Thoughts For Parents, five15 blog