In his excellent recent book “Its Not Like Being Black” Voddie Baucham tells the story about his daughter making fun of him in a good-natured way as he read law textbooks, and listened to classical music.
Reading a law textbook may sound extreme till you find out why he did it.
Baucham says he studies the latest laws for himself so that he cannot be deceived by mainstream media.
I am definitely not going to start reading the latest law books (a little technical and dry) but the principle of what he’s saying is very important. We must do our own study of the news in mainstream media instead of just consuming it.
What does studying the news instead of consuming it mean? Let me give you a few examples.
- Watch the news from both liberal and conservative views
- Read books (like Bauchams) that deal with current issues using the Bible, as well as current evets (recent articles, interviews)
- Read online websites that cover both sides of the political spectrum (my favorite is RealClearPolitics – Live Opinion, News, Analysis, Video and Polls)
- and most importantly…do your own homework
In other words, THINK about what your reading at watching!
Last night I did something quite amazing
I didn’t watch the presidential debate.
I didn’t watch it last night because it would be hard to study the debate
- It would be intense so emotions would be high
- Obviously there would be tons of bias from both sides
- Friends on social-media will be adding constant online commentary
- And countless articles will be written on who won or lost
So isntead of watching it in a high-pressure environment I recorded it
So the debate can be studied.
This is not a political post friends (those will come) but a loving challenge.
Before we become keyboard warriors lets sit down, take a breath, and really listen.
Johnhwilburn.com 
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