The Old, Old Books

I was down in the big city this morning and was able to find some treasures. I found three treasures, but alas, could only afford to buy two on this journey. The used Christian bookstore always has some old old books hidden away that have been used for generations to grow closer to Jesus. To draw closer to Him through His word. Today's treasures were two Old Greek Grammars. I only have pictures of one here.

Most of these old grammars are beautiful, well worn books that have seen better days. There are pencil and pen notes in the margins and the bindings rarely look like they will make it through another reading, so you must be very respectful to find the treasures within. Almost every great Greek resource that I have gotten used is in this condition and always seems to have a name on the front page. I must imagine that it was picked up by a seminarian years ago. Money that had been carefully saved and set aside was put forth to buy this treasure for the first time, no investment could be so great as the reward of beholding Jesus more clearly and being able to more confidently share His love and message with others. I sometimes even pray for these saints who went before, and wonder what use the book went to.

This is a shorter version of the larger grammar by A.T. Robertson, which I also treasure (a gift from the beloved saint who has mentored me over the past years, and continues to do so, to the praise and glory of the Lord). This might make it difficult to explain to my wife why I would buy the shorter version of something that I have in the more complete version. I can't clearly answer the question of why, except that I saw this volume having inestimably greater value than the number on the inside cover. Like if you saw real diamonds (and knew them to be real) being sold for a nickel a piece. You would buy them, simply on principle. Now add to that rational viewpoint, that I love these old works and am drawn across time to these men who spend years upon years digging into the word and bring out out treasures, both old and new.

I know you are dying to know more about this book, so I will give you a quote, speaking of the Universality of the Greek of the New Testament: "It was a providential circumstance that Paul could carry the message of Christ in one language and be understood wherever he went. Those who held on to their local language as in Lycaonia, Palestine, Egypt, Italy would know Greek. So Paul wrote to the church in Rome in Greek." (p. 13). What a wonderful affirmation. God planned the timing perfectly. He sent Christ in a time when the world was more prepared than it ever was before to move the message that He had put on skin and come down to earth. Not just the Greek language, but the Roman road system would have aided the Gospel's spread. Furthermore, the Pax Romana would have given the gospel even easier travel, not having to worry itself over all of the lines that it crossed that would once have been cultural and linguistic boundaries that may have been caused great hindrance. God wanted the people of the world to know how much He loves her, and He still does.