Many times, I here my fellow brethren telling me that they would not read a thick book containing only words. A 1000-page commentary would be useful to them as a defensive weapon against possible intruders. These books are considered too scholarly and not practical for evangelism or pastoral work. A close friend of mine whose library most probably tops mine, tells me that 'normal' people do not read such books. For a time, I tend to agree with him. After browsing through a couple of Gordon Fee's books in my own library, I begin to see that the common perception that these books are overly academic and thus, not useful for everyday living is unfounded. Fee's books on the works of the Holy Spirit in our lives and his popular commentary on Philippians are both scholarly and applicable for 'every good works'. It is us who have developed the dichotomy and barrier between scholarly writing and practical works. It is not abnormal to read and dwell in scholarly work. Perhaps it is abnormal not to do so.
Comments
Anyone who thinks Gordon Fee is overly-academic has not sat in one of his classes or heard him preach.
He is as impassioned about the Trinue God as anyone I know.
Continue to grow in grace and hopefully your friends will make the connection between such progress and the reading you are doing that feeds you.