This paper is about how to read a theology book skillfully. Theology readers often get stuck here, so I plan to explain seven guidelines on how to read a theology book skillfully:
1. Read carefully. (I’ll unpack the goal, reason, means, method, and need for careful Reading.)
2. Read at different levels. (I’ll unpack three levels: survey, macro-read, and micro-read. I have required my college and seminary students to read this way for about 15 years, and they have routinely remarked how revolutionary this has been for their reading. The skill that students need the most help developing is how to survey a book.)
3. Read systematically. (There are four progressive aspects to reading systematically: analyze, then diversify, then compare, and finally synthesize.)
4. Read repeatedly.
5. Read without distractions.
6. Read with eyes to see and ears to hear.
7. Read with serious joy.