Torch, Summer 2006

If you begin in the right place and for the right reasons, you will have a welcome and valued voice in the larger conversation and you will have a ball doing it! Now, lest you think that I am letting all you non-readers off the hook, I hope that I can convince you to join us groupies who passionately love literature and talking about literature and reading books and buying books and … oh, don’t get me started again! Impossible, you say? Hey, my husband keeps trying to turn me into a runner! I firmly resist the idea of 26 miles at a go, but who knows, one of these days I might even put on my own pair of Sauconys and head out the door! There’s always hope! And the temptation of a place at that conversational table! C arol Estes is an assistant professor of education at Cedarville University, her alma mater. She received her graduate education at The Ohio State University. Estes resides in Worthington, Ohio, with her husband, Dan. They enjoy their three grown children (and spouses), a Siamese cat, and lots of books! T 22 TORCH / Summer 2006 what you are talking about, other people who know about and care about that also will listen. If you do decide to read The Da Vinci Code and want to enter that conversation, let me suggest that you become “conversant” in this way and in this order: 1) With the book — read carefully what the author has said. Be fair, be respectful, and understand clearly his arguments and background (this may take a little research on your part). 2) With the scriptures — search God’s Word to see what He has to say on this subject (this, too, may take some effort and care). Live in the Word, and let the Word live in you. 3) With yourself — develop your critical thinking skills and cultivate disciplines of life that will allow God to develop in you character qualities which reflect the fruits of the Spirit (never try to engage culture with your head alone … God cares about who you are more than what you know). 4) With friends — those you can actually talk with and those authors with whom you “ talk” in other readings, both those who agree with you and those who disagree with you (you do have friends like that, don’t you?). Only then can you proceed to number five. 5) With the larger culture — our voices have a fair chance, then, to be heard and respected, even if others are not in agreement with us.