What if I told you that reading well could actually help make you a better steward of language on Twitter?Welcome to Curious, a five-part series of conversations inviting all tired Christians to rediscover and reclaim their God-given gift of curiosity.

In this continuation of Episode 1, I’m joined by Dr. Karen Swallow Prior, author of On Reading Well, to talk about how being curious in reading literature is necessary preparation for navigating our culture of polarized thinking. Dr. Prior reminds us that Christians are “people of the Word” and that as Outsiders, we have the responsibility to own and steward the language we speak, type, and interpret every day.

Episode Highlights0:00 Reading as a virtue? I set us up for Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Karen Prior0:25 My reactions to what The Great Gatsby teaches on the virtue of temperance, as discussed in On Reading Well1:57 “On Twitter, you have become a target for extremists on both sides.” Dr. Prior explains why studying virtue through literature equips her for navigating our polarized culture3:31 “When we try to avoid one error that we should avoid, we swing to the opposite side and commit another error.” Dr. Prior on what she’s observed from extreme stance-taking in both the classroom and the church5:54 What allegory and Pilgrim’s Progress has to teach us about the language we use (and interpret) on social media9:36 Why I believe Dr. Prior’s theory on virtue in literature is a framework for faith leaders everywhere10:40 You could call us modern-day monks. Why Dr. Prior says it’s the responsibility of Christians, the people of the Word, to preserve literacy in our decaying world13:15 Where you can find Dr. Prior and how you can contribute to the Reading Well movement14:30 Now it’s Dr. Prior’s turn: her question for me about reading and writing

Episode ResourcesPart One of this episode On Reading WellDr. Prior’s TwitterDr. Prior’s Speaking Engagement ScheduleThe Great GatsbyA Tale of Two CitiesPilgrim’s ProgressThe Outsiders