Reading for the Love of God: How to Read as a Spiritual Practice

Written by Jessica Hooten Wilson

Narrated by Lisa Larsen

What if we viewed reading as not just a personal hobby or a pleasurable indulgence but a spiritual practice that deepens our faith?

In Reading for the Love of God, award-winning author Jessica Hooten Wilson does just that-and then shows listeners how to reap the spiritual benefits of reading. She argues that the simple act of reading can help us learn to pray well, love our neighbor, be contemplative, practice humility, and disentangle ourselves from contemporary idols.

Accessible and engaging, this guide outlines several ways Christian thinkers-including Augustine, Julian of Norwich, Frederick Douglass, and Dorothy L. Sayers-approached the act of reading. It also includes useful special features such as suggested reading lists, guided practices to approaching texts, and tips for meditating on specific texts or Bible passages. By learning to read for the love of God, listeners will discover not only a renewed love of reading but also a new, vital spiritual practice to deepen their walk with God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: ChristianAudio.com
• Release date: Mar 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9781545923269

Jessica Hooten Wilson

Jessica Hooten Wilson is Louise Cowan Scholar in Residence at the University of Dallas and author of Giving the Devil His Due: Demonic Authority in the Fiction of Flannery O’Connor and Fyodor Dostoevsky (2017).

Reviews for Reading for the Love of God

[wchagen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A pearl.I started to read this book with a bias; something the author quickly convinced me was an incorrect approach. My bias was generated by something an ancient Greek philosopher, it may have been Socrates, commiserated about. Paraphrasing him, he said, “Books spell the doom of civilization. Why would students truly learn without argument and the clashing of ideas with fellow students if they only needed to refer to a book for the answer?” He lived when the transfer of knowledge was transitioning from oral to written. To an extent, we are now when the transition is from oral to visual. It has gone from “I heard it somewhere” to “I read it somewhere” to “I saw it somewhere”. Jessica Hooten Wilson’s rejoinder is a resounding ‘WHOA’. She directly addresses the issue on page 97 through the words of James Baldwin. The oral transition is transitory—once heard, the imprint on the brain is gone; the visual transition is constricted; only the written is retained for continued availability for reference.Especially enticing about the author’s message is that she imbeds her ideas in a spiritual context. She implores readers to broaden reading habits and, by doing so, enhance their sensitivity to the messages contained in spiritual readings. She uses the writings of Augustine of Hippo, Julian of Norwich, Frederick Douglass and Dorothy L. Sayers as examples to follow. The section focusing on Augustine read like mini sermons. I mean that as a positive.The book is intimidating, the author gambols through cites with gay abandon. Many of her cites seem to be fellow professors, past and present, with a student or two thrown in. I discerned that many of her citations were secondary—cites to previous writers who cited other works. One citation that escaped scrutiny was to Makoto Fujimura’s Art and Faith where, on page 83 of this book, the artist refers to gazing out to sea standing on the beach in Los Gatos, California. Unless the Santa Cruz Mountains have floated away, Los Gatos is miles away. A small and insignificant point.Not to be considered a negative is the uneasy feeling that the readers who could profit the most from this book are those least likely to read it. To a great extent, it takes a person somewhat comfortable reading about great writings to appreciate the wisdom Jessica Hooten Wilson has conveyed here. I am marginally comfortable but struggled.

[duffdaddy-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I received this work through the Early Reviewers giveaway program. I requested the work because I enjoy books about reading; the phycological, physical, sociological, linguistic, etc. aspects of the act. I also enjoy books about the Bible - particularly about the Bible as a work of literature. This book hit both buttons! Wilson did a nice job of explaining the need for reading, specifically intentional reading, and why it's important to read the 'right' things. I enjoyed her recommendations on what constitutes the 'right' things - agreed with some and disagreed with others. But I particularly enjoyed her asides on how to read like other writers. Her pieces on Douglass (didn't know where he got his last name til now) and Sayers. In any event, I'd recommend this book to any interested in the act of reading and/or anyone interested in reading the Bible as a work of literature. But be prepared, you'll come away with a long reading list based on Wilson's recommendations and commentary. As Christians we are meant to love beautiful things. Pg 55Read the work and consider it on its own merits. Pg 57Our eyes are not enough by which to see. Pg 62

[cannonmad · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Reading for the Love of God is a plea for people to recognize the benefits of reading for spiritual formation. Wilson, the author, encourages people to read literature in order to enhance their reading of Scripture. This book is written in a more academic style, complete with a dense amount of references and quotations to other literature. I highly enjoyed the chapters on the reading lives of influential Christians: Augustine, Julian of Norwich, Dorothy Sayers, etc. It was helpful to see how these principles of reading could be applied in people's every day lives.

Reading for the Love of God is written by a literature professor. One can immediately recognize and commend Wilson's passion for reading literature and encouraging others to do the same. However, this book is likely to only attract people who are already strong readers. This book might be difficult for those who do not normally read or are not strong readers.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions in this review are my own.

[roses84 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Very academic book, not a light read. While I did find it interesting and thought provoking I can’t say I enjoyed it..it was far too lofty for my taste.

The author explores how reading literature can improve our understanding and enjoyment of reading the Bible. She also interspersed chapters with “bookmarks” on the reading life of Augustine of Hippo, Julian of Norwich, Frederick Douglas & Dorothy L. Sayers: I really appreciated these as well as the extensive reading lists included. Only for the very serious reader.

[vangogan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Reading for the Love of God reminds me somewhat of Leland Ryken and Glenda Faye Mathe's book Recovering the Lost Art of Reading, although Jessica Hooten Wilson's book is written in a more complex style. Her insights into ways of reading and her quotes from literature and other sources are phenomenal, but I think the book is marred by two features: first, she sometimes uses words that she does not explain until later or does not explain that clearly; second, she seems to be on a mission for women, always using the pronoun "she" and having two sections specifically about women in relation to her topic. Now, don't get me wrong--I don't mind her using "she" as a pronoun and I don't mind that she writes about women, but I think that focus could be in a different book, as this is about reading and we don't need to have a gender aspect to this topic (unless, of course, gender impacts the ways of reading). Overall, however, I liked the ideas in the book and even took some notes down on her insights.

[blbooks-14314 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

First sentence: Imagine you are resting in a cave on an unpopulated Greek island. I love the premise of this one--reading as a spiritual discipline, a spiritual practice. I love the idea of embracing reading as more than a hobby, more than a distraction. I love reading. I do--obviously I do. Always have, always will. I have three book review blogs. My love of reading is not in doubt. I went into this one expecting one kind of book and I got another kind of book. It just wasn't the perfectly perfect fit I imagined.The book is definitely more academic, more scholarly, more "elevated" for lack of a better term. I felt the author was up in the clouds with her narrative--in other words, so much going zoom, zoom, zoom right over my head. The act of reading is not complicated. (Usually). So why does reading books about reading have to be so incredibly complicated??? I wanted the book to be conversational, written for the lay person, a fellow book lover that loves, loves, loves reading. I wanted to find a kindred spirit--not be lectured and judged and judged and lectured.I did find myself agreeing in parts--at the very least--with some of what she was saying. In particular, I think reader response theory is a bit overrated. When that is the one and only way that is "acceptable" to approach READING, and reading in all aspects of life. It's one thing to have a light reader-response philosophy when it comes to reading say, poetry, or something. Quite another when it infests--manifests in???--your reading when it comes to say the Bible, or theological books. For decades this has been the primary theory being taught. And it's problematic...because then as a believer you have to say, well, when I read x, y, and z this is the way to do it...but when I switch over to this then I have to throw everything I know about reading out the window and approach this completely differently. And you *can* do that. Hopefully most realize that you should be approaching the Bible differently from any other text. Just to backtrack a bit, reader response theory for those who don't know the term is something like this:The author doesn't create the meaning. The text doesn't create the meaning. The meaning comes when I the reader read the text. I bring the meaning. It doesn't matter what the author meant when he/she wrote the text. It doesn't matter what the literal meaning of the words on the page mean literally. The text means what I *feel* it means. Without the reader there is no meaning. And since every single reader brings or potentially brings his/her own meaning to the text--there is no one "right" way to read the text. Everything is subjective. Not just I like this, I don't like that. Reactions can be--and often are--a hundred percent subjective. But meaning, well, meaning that's a different story. I thought the book was not as clear as it could have been, should have been. I felt the author never clearly and emphatically defined exactly, precisely what she meant by her words--special vocabulary. She used specialized words throughout. And I was left trying to puzzle out my own definitions based on context, context, context. Which is a reading skill. Some words might have been helpful to go to an actual dictionary, but others I feel are too specialized to find help. For example, one of the things this book is about--learning to spiritually read, reading spiritually, approaching all reading as a spiritual practice. I don't know that any dictionary could help me puzzle out precisely what she was talking about. In most basic building-block terms--what do you mean exactly. She talks of finding truth and beauty in ALL types of books--even those with off-putting vulgarity. She talks of the importance of not hunting for moral lessons in reading, or over-hunting, I guess. She also occasionally would say things that I found slightly worrisome. I don't want to assume that I know her intent as an author. I don't. And I don't want to assume that the meaning I took away from reading the text lines up with her intent. (I'm willing to admit the confusion may be more on my end than her end.) But when she said things like you have to learn to read other books so that you can read the Bible. I was stumped. I don't know if she means that at its most literal--you must learn to read Go, Dog, Go and Cat in the Hat before you can come to the Bible. Or if she has somehow elevated the Bible too much. I'll try to explain.I believe the Bible is the Word of God. 100% I believe the Bible is accurate, authoritative, breathed-out and inspired, infallible, inerrant--all the things. But I also believe that the Bible is for everyone. The Bible is not "elitist" reserved for the highest intellects, the brilliant, genius scholars. EVERY person regardless of education level can read the Word of God and read it well. By read it well, I mean read it with spiritual eyes. It is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that enables readers to READ the Word of God in any meaningful way. Without the Holy Spirit indwelling the reader, without the new birth in which the Spirit gives spiritual eyes to see, spiritual ears to hear, spiritual heart to respond, then there is no reading of the Word. No matter how brilliant, how intellectual, how academic, how perfectly-perfect you understand grammar or language or original languages--without the Holy Spirit GIVING and graciously giving you understanding, it is all in vain. The Bible is not a book for some--the super-smarty-pants--and too difficult, too complex, too weighty for the rest of us. Everything that is necessary for salvation is clearly illuminated--for believers--in the Bible. Instead of making the Bible sound accessible and relatable and WONDERFUL it made it sound like you'd have to do a lot of groundwork to get to a place where maybe one day you could begin to grasp it. As if there is a final "it" to be grasped. The Bible is a book that GROWS with you--you never outgrow it, you never exhaust it, you never move beyond needing it. But it's a book for beginners too. From day one to the very end--the Bible is just what we need it to be. I will leave on a very positive note. I love, love, love this quote:The words of God should be like the song that you cannot get out of your head, the one that you find yourself humming without meaning to, the song that you thoughtlessly tap your feet to, and that echoes from your heart through your whole body.

[beautyinthebinding · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Reading for the Love of God by Jessica Hooten Wilson starts off with descriptive imagery of the Apostle John in Revelation as he consumes a book. I continue to sit with this depiction after finishing Reading for the Love of God because it arrested my attention and Wilson’s related thoughts are incredibly applicable to reading most any book. The rest of Reading for the Love of God is just as interesting and challenging as the start.Reading for the Love of God is academic in tone, style, and complexity. Wilson often refers to ancient literature and medieval monastic practices as she explains how to consume great literature and apply its lessons to modern spiritual life. I confess, I did not completely understand “use” and “enjoy” in chapter three, but that is simply a reason to reread and learn. My favorite chapters were “Reading Like Frederick Douglass” and “How Can You Remember What You Read”. I recommend Reading for the Love of God: How to Read as a Spiritual Practice by Jessica Hooten Wilson to Christian readers who desire to learn from great works of literature and apply those lessons to enhance one’s spiritual life. Naturally, Wilson stresses the importance of regularly consuming Scripture as well as literary works. A list of suggested reading for all ages is included. Four stars.Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.