What you Get Out of What you Read is Determined by How you Read

This statement holds the key to unlocking a lot of misconceptions that has surrounded literature. Upon arriving to college I did not spend my days reading Soren Kierkegaard, Tolstoy, James Smith or many other deep theological thinkers. When I began to read Radical Orthodoxy  I found myself in the deep end of a swimming pool without floaties. I was a bit overwhelmed. I knew these authors were pouring truth into my life but I wasn't able to quite catch everything that was being thrown at me. In class I was able to dive into discussion but when I would read I could not quite comprehend everything that was being said. My professors said the books would be challenging and that they would stretch our minds ( they were absolutely correct). I found myself turn from someone who always loved reading and naturally comprehended the material to someone whose head was spinning after just a few pages. I was not able to go through books with the same stamina I once had.

I thought, "there has to be a different way". I had to change my approach and I am still adjusting it to become a more effective and active reader. I find myself rereading things and looking at commentaries for some of the passages that I am still unable to fully grasp. I have to slow down my pace so that I am able to fully comprehend all that is being said. To be honest, this is a practice I have yet to fully master. However, growth only occurs through perseverance.

I continue on this journey of learning what it means to be an active participant in my reading not just a skeptic that does not fully engage with the literature in front of them. This chapter really encouraged me to grow and change the different ways I approach literature, whether it be an assignment for class or something I read just because.