I’ll often look at the Sunday paper to see which biographies have made the New York Times list of bestselling non-fiction. I’m usually in the market for a good biography. Yesterday’s, June 7, list contained works on Michael J. Fox and Larry King . . . think I’ll pass.
Though historical biographies have changed with time, human interest in the genre is long-standing. The first known biographies were commissioned by ancient rulers to assure records of their accomplishments. The Old Testament scriptures, detailing the lives of patriarchs, prophets, and kings, are also some of the earliest biographies in existence.
Throughout the Middle Ages, such histories were largely in the hands of monks; lives of martyrs and church fathers were recorded with the intention of edifying readers for years to come. Over time and with the invention of the printing press, biographies became increasingly influential and widely read, portraying a larger array of lives.
In reading the accounts of men and women in history, we find ourselves transported to various times and places, where we learn things from their stories that are familiar to our own. Actions and thoughts that we ourselves have considered, suddenly appear before us in the life of another. And difficulties we find wearying are given hope in the story of one who overcame much.
Biographies are good and profitable reads. Perhaps that is true because we seem to know instinctively that life is too short to learn only from our own experience.
As Christians we see this value as well. The most direct attempt in Scripture to define faith is done so by the writer of Hebrews (. . . ask Pastor Caines his identity). The eleventh chapter begins, "Now faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see" (11:1). Moving from this definition of faith, the writer of Hebrews immediately expands upon the weighty statement with a list of people who lived "sure of hope" and "certain of the unseen."
From Noah and Abraham to Rahab and saints left unnamed, we find faith moving across the pages of history. This gift of God sparkles in the eyes of the faithful and is the hope by which countless lives were guided. In this brief gathering of biographies, the writer seems to tell us that faith is better understood functionally than philosophically. Our own faith is more fully understood by looking at the lives of the faithful.
At the end of his compelling list, the writer of Hebrews concludes: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for
us" (12:1).
Those who have followed the Lord before us urge us onward. They strengthen our hearts with their stories of faith. And they stir our minds at the thought of God's universal sway, reminding us that He moves in our biographies and beyond them.
Amidst the chronicles of kings and kingdoms in some of the earliest recorded biographies, we are given this promise: "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him" (2 Chronicles 16:9). Moved by the hearts of the faithful, may we be moved further in faithful service to our King.
Pastor Mullinax