In leading up to the “Hidden Treasure Blog Awards,” I went looking through several blogs and clicking through blogrolls in search of good blogs that I had not visited before. I started reading titus2talk and found Hiraeth. Last week, she posted this interesting survey, and I’d like to play along. Her words are in bold.

I’d like to open a discussion on the virtues of reading as a Christian Discipline as it relates to blogging and reading blogs. To begin the discussion, I’d like to ask you a few questions:

Has reading Christian blogs increased your desire to tackle weighty Christian tomes?

I really got into reading weighty Christian tomes while in college. I took a New Testament course in which my horizons concerning Christian writing were broadened. So, I would say that was the beginning and that my desire has grown as I have grown.

Have you learned of Christian authors and theologians that you might not have otherwise known or read?

The short answer is yes, but there’s a story behind it. A few years ago (before I knew anything about blogs) I wanted to learn more about what the Bible teaches about fasting. So, I headed down to our local Christian bookstore to find some books. In my “buy” stack was John Piper’s book, A Hunger for God. I had never heard of him before, but this little book rocked my relationship with Jesus and I wanted to find out more about this Piper fella. My search through Google and his ministry’s website led me to blogs. The blogs, in turn, led me to more authors and theologians who were new to me.

Most definitely!

It is possible that I have read fewer books since I started blogging. I like to read about how the books I am reading are affecting other bloggers who are reading the same book. Still, blogging takes time. Time I probably would have spent reading books. I have noticed that it takes me a bit longer to finish a book than it used to because I am using my “free” time to blog. However, I am not disappointed by this because writing is also an important discipline that I need to cultivate. Usually I write about what I’m reading and this helps me retain what I read. It’s all good.

No, I actually read them and think about how they apply to me.

Without a doubt, yes! I do not know everything. And I will not know everything. I love to read the works of these great Christian men because they spent their lives studying the Scriptures and living it out! I need their wisdom.

Yes. The ones that I have found to be most profitable are written by Puritans, which are sometimes difficult to read. However, when I take the time to think and follow their lines of reasoning, I am edified and challenged.

If so, who do you recommend?

J. Owen, J. Edwards, C.H. Spurgeon, R. Baxter. Of those who are living: J.I. Packer, J. Piper, W. Grudem. One of my favorite resources is Monergism. There is also The Spurgeon Archive.

(HT: Hiraeth)