Wisdom, Quiet Times, and Deep Learning: The Importance of Reading in Community

“No ancient sacred books were meant to be read without a teacher.” This statement of C.S. Lewis’ strikes at the very heart of modern Evangelicalism where one’s private quiet time with the Lord is seen as the foundation upon which rests one’s spiritual life. But as Rodney Clapp points out, the Bible was never meant, first and foremost, to be read alone. He reminds us that it was only with the advent of print that we moved the primary attention to God’s Word from the context of corporate liturgy, to the solitary reader’s study. Private Bible study and prayer is an essential part of spiritual growth. But the danger with focusing solely on it is that we forget that intellectual and spiritual growth takes place best within the context of Christian community. How do we grow in wisdom, unless we’re around people who challenge our assumptions and present us with perspectives we’ve never encountered before? Iron really does sharpen Iron. Dialogue with others really does help us to grow intellectually and spiritually. This becomes particularly urgent in our current cultural moment when discussion on campus on a whole host of issues risks being stifled.

This is why at Cambridge House, one of our values is "challenging the mind by engaging with others in thoughtful discussion." It's why our fellows program is designed not around lectures, but the reading and discussion of both contemporary Christian writers like C.S. Lewis, as well as the older works that inspired them. It’s also why during our study days, we offer “fireside chats,” and “discussion groups." We recognize that the deepest learning is often the result of the sparkling, vibrant interplay of dialogue that takes place among a group of people discussing matters in which they believe in strongly...and discuss passionately.