On My Shelf helps you get to know various writers through a behind-the-scenes glimpse into their lives as readers.
I asked L. Michael Morales—professor at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and author of Exodus Old and New: A Biblical Theology of Redemption—about what’s on his bedside table, his favorite fiction, the books he regularly revisits, and more.
What’s on your nightstand right now?
Malcolm Guite’s Galahad and the Grail. Myths of origin hold potential for shaping a society’s culture and character. I believe Guite, aside from writing good poetry and a national epic, is endeavoring to reawaken (or refound) England to her rich Christian heritage. This volume is the first of a projected four-volume work that may well represent the new definitive collection of Arthurian legends.
Writings of the Ramban, translated and annotated by Charles B. Chavel. Nachmanides is my favorite medieval Jewish exegete and commentator, and these essays illumine his character and offer gleaming gems of insight. His essay on redemption, for example, gives a nuanced understanding of eschatology in the Hebrew Scriptures. He argues convincingly that the exile threatened in Leviticus relates to the Babylonian exile that occurred in Jeremiah’s day, whereas exile in Deuteronomy uses more eschatological language and seems to relate to the exile after the Second Temple’s destruction.
Another essay records his Disputation in Barcelona, when Nachmanides was forced by the Spanish government to engage in debate with a Jewish Christian convert. The disputation eventually led to his exile from Spain since, as one of the intellectual giants of his era, he acquitted himself overly well. (Christian readers will, for the most part, be disappointed with the representation of our faith by his opponent, but the disputation is helpful in that it offers insights into the sort of questions about the Messiah we should think about more deeply.)
What are your favorite fiction books?
Aside from literary classics, I enjoy mystery books, especially medieval mysteries, although it’s hard to find good ones. Ellis Peters’s Brother Cadfael series is good, although aimed for a younger audience (and so a bit tame). She had a beautifully poetic sense of providence and justice, which makes for satisfying conclusions.
I also appreciate the espionage genre, such as the early works of John le Carré, like The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, A Small Town in Germany, and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. Perhaps less thoughtful but often more fun, Alistair MacLean’s books never fail to offer a little escape into adventure.
What biographies or autobiographies have most influenced you and why?
Iain H. Murray’s two-volume biography of D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones had a profound impact on me as a young, inexperienced pastor—my copies are filled with underlining and scribbled notes. This account of the Doctor’s life and ministry not only led me onto the paths of the Reformed faith, but demonstrated God’s blessings on a faithful minister’s diligent commitment to the ordinary means of grace, to prayer and preaching. Many of the problems and challenges facing the wider evangelical church when I was pastoring had their roots in the era of Lloyd-Jones’s ministry, so reading his biography offered much-needed biblical wisdom and the discernment of hindsight.
Augustine’s Confessions is also a treasured book—it’s so personal and honest, and displays the sure and gracious hand of God in one’s life. Confessions is also about Augustine’s mother, Monica, and how she persevered in prayer on his behalf; and about God’s faithfulness and goodness in answering her prayers so abundantly. Throughout the book, readers also get fascinating glimpses of life in the late fourth and early fifth centuries.
What are some books you regularly reread and why?
Aside from regular Bible reading, it’s a challenge to reread many books, since my research-reading stacks are always waiting. Classics and modern classics, however, grow with you, so I prioritize these. Recently, I reread Sophocles’s Oedipus Cycle (actually, I listened to audio versions on my commute).
Dante’s Divine Comedy—the Anthony Esolen or Robert and Jean Hollander translations—is the work I return to most, because I often find my soul needs to retake the journey, following in the Messiah’s footsteps from his passion to the resurrection. The historian Philip Schaff referred to Dante as an early reformer, which I think is true, even if we (Protestants) would still object to many aspects of Roman Catholicism in Divine Comedy (like Mariology and purgatory). There are still so many profound biblical lessons and theological truths that make Dante a spiritually profitable read.
The Heidelberg Catechism and Calvin’s Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life are also worth rereading regularly, providing both comfort and conviction.
What books have most profoundly shaped how you serve and lead others for the sake of the gospel?
Early on it was books on the life and ministry of the apostle Paul, like Robert L. Reymond’s Paul: Missionary Theologian. Lately, given the focus of my research and writing, it’s been the life of Moses, especially through my commentary work on the book of Numbers.
Both Moses and Paul labored tirelessly, sacrificially, and with much opposition, and by God’s grace they finished their race as faithful servants looking to the Lord in hope. Paul uses vivid sacrificial imagery to capture the life of ministry, that he was being poured out as a drink offering to God (Phil. 2:17; 2 Tim. 4:6). What a wonderful and devotional way to view being spent for his kingdom.
When I was a pastor I also devoured Christian History magazines. Reading about the weighty and vigorous labors of others, whether John Wesley, John Newton, Oswald Chambers, Chrysostom, or William Wilberforce, was an inspiration and encouragement to persevere in my own labors (which, by comparison, were quite minimal!).
What’s one book you wish every would pastor read?
Although it’s not pleasant reading, I think every pastor should read (for starters) Stan Telchin’s Abandoned or Michael Brown’s Our Hands Are Stained with Blood. Christians are woefully ignorant about some of the blots on our history regarding our relations with the Jewish people, a tragic misrepresentation of Jesus and regrettable stumbling block to the gospel.
Sadly, there is also a lack of prayer for the Jewish people offered up from our pulpits, which runs contrary to the hope expressed by many of our leading lights historically, such as Charles Haddon Spurgeon and Robert Murray M’Cheyne, not to mention the apostle Paul (Rom. 9:1–5).
This was not always the case, and Scottish Presbyterianism in particular has a delightful history of collegial relations with our Jewish friends. On this point, I’d commend the book Time for Favour by John Stuart Ross. Part of the larger narrative, whereby the candle of the church’s heart for Jewish people has been quite snuffed out (at least in Reformed circles), is that a shallow apprehension of the Hebrew Scriptures has led to a flat biblical-theological understanding of redemptive history.
Although they might not own the label, such “replacement theology” means, practically, that the church forgets about—or worse, disdains—Jewish people, which again is a terrible departure from both Scripture and the more refreshing eras of the church’s theology. There’s an appallingly pugnacious and high-handed antisemitism swirling in our world today, often fomented further by the media. This provides the church with an opportunity to pray and to repay our debt of love, which may be used by God to heal some old wounds.
What’s your best piece of writing advice?
For biblical and theological writing, I endeavor to write unto God as well as in the presence of God, that is, prayerfully. Beyond this, I’m the last one who should offer advice; writing is a hard and sometimes discouraging process for me, with a few moments of beauty and wonder in between. So, the time-tested counsel I’ve embraced is simply to persevere. More practically: Sit down and don’t get up frequently; shut off and shut out distractions, like smartphones and email accounts.
Also, although it’s counterintuitive, it’s helpful to stop writing for the day while you’re on a roll and could still write further; this will help you get off to a good start the next morning. When we write until we’ve exhausted our creativity or plan, then it’s much harder to get going the next time around, and writer’s block can set in.
What are you learning about life and following Jesus?
Lately, my eyes have steadily opened to the necessity and spiritual value of waiting. Life is full of disappointments, discouragement with our ourselves or disappointment with others in our lives, with circumstances and situations. Spiritual maturity sometimes means learning how to wait on the Lord, trusting in his sovereign work in our lives and in the lives of others, too. Everyone is on a journey; we’re not yet who we will be.
As the author of Hebrews observes, life for all of God’s people throughout history has been a waiting, waiting to enter that city whose builder and maker is God; and every one of them died not having received the promise in this life—that is, they died in hope (Heb. 11). Waiting is hoping, even while we ache and shed tears of disappointment.
Thankfully, the Lord is always gracious and merciful, full of compassion, and abounding in steadfast love, and he is in control, whereas we are not (and don’t need to be). Life is a fleeting breath and full of troubles; but there’s a peace, and a liberty, we can experience by surrendering our wills and expectations to God. A faithful life is looking to him and waiting quietly.
