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Author Interview with Dan Doriani

Posted on by Kim

This week’s author interview is with Dan Doriani, author of The Sermon on the Mount: The Character of a Disciple, Getting the Message: A Plan for Interpreting and Applying the Bible, Putting the Truth to Work: The Theory and Practice of Biblical Application, as well as the following books in the Reformed Expository Commentary series: 1 Peter, James, Matthew (2-Volume Set), and is a co-author of The Incarnation in the Gospels.

Doriani_Dan

  • Ques­tion #1 — Tell us a lit­tle bit about your­self: where you’re from, fam­ily, job, per­sonal inter­ests, unique hob­bies, what do you do in your spare time, etc.

I’ve lived at least three months in eight states, but St. Louis has been home since 1991. I’m married, with three grown children and one grandchild. Even before I was a disciple, I always wanted to be a good father, a faithful friend, a man’s man – one who values hard work, strength, and loyalty. In my spare time I play tennis, work out, write poetry, and visit with friends.

 

  • Question #2 – Have you always enjoyed writing?

No one always enjoys writing. At best we enjoy it at times and look with some satisfaction at the result, knowing that we said things that are true and useful, in ways that approximated our goals when we began.

 

  • Question #3 – What book are you reading now?

I’m reading theology with John Calvin, philosophy with Charles Taylor, and novels by Marilynne Robinson and John LeCarre because they are writers who understand human nature.

 

  • Question #4 – Do you have a favorite quote?

Because they say important things in sticky and paradoxical ways, I like these three statements: “All decisions are made on the basis of insufficient evidence”, “No one ever finishes a book, they just stop writing”, and “The impossible takes a little bit longer.”

 

  • Question #5 – What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Read. Read widely. Read the best authors – with the best content and a style that is brisk or observant or invisible or precise or detailed, as the situation warrants.

 

  • Question #6 – How do you deal with writer’s block?

I stand up and do something different: I walk around or clean the kitchen or do push-ups or grade papers. In extreme cases I may go running or go to the gym.

 

  • Question #7 – What is your favorite sport to watch?

Let me suggest that we should never watch sports when we have an opportunity to play sports. Why would we watch when we can do? That said, my favorite baseball team is the Cardinals, since I live in St. Louis, they are good almost every year, and I have friends who invite me to share their seats, right by the field, and I love their company, which is an even greater gift. My favorite basketball team is the team that loves to pass and does so very well.

Want to learn more about Dan Doriani?

 

BOOK HIGHLIGHT – The Shepherd Leader by Timothy Z. Witmer – 50% off at WTSBooks.com

Posted on by Kim
This year marks its 5th anniversary and you can purchase it for 50% off from Westminster Bookstore. Get yours today for only $9.00! Click HERE to be directed to the book page at WTSbooks.com.
The Shepherd Leader
The Shepherd Leader: Achieving Effective Shepherding in Your Church
by Timothy Z. Witmer

288 pages | Paperback | Published: 2010

Summary: Leaders in the church are called to be shepherds, not a board of directors. This requires involvement in a personal shepherding ministry among the people. The Shepherd Leader unpacks the four primary ministries of shepherds—knowing, feeding, leading, and protecting—on macro (church-wide) and micro (personal) levels, providing seven elements to be incorporated into an effective shepherding plan.

About the Author:

Witmer_Tim

Timothy Z. Witmer (B.A., West Chester University; M.Div., Westminster Theological Seminary; D.Min., Reformed Theological Seminary) is professor of practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He was made pastor emeritus at Crossroads Community Church, Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, after serving there for more than twenty-five years.

The Shepherd Leader

The Shepherd Leader

What Others Say About This Book:

“We plan to use The Shepherd Leader as a primary resource for all of our candidates, interns, elders, and pastors – our shepherds and shepherds-in-training.”

– Philip G. Ryken, former Senior Minister, Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, PA

“Examines issues the church desperately needs to consider. We so deeply desire to organize and lead our churches by biblical principles, but can be confused or distracted by secular work or educational ones instead.”

– Bryan Chapell, Senior Pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church, Peoria, IL

“Tim Witmer’s book could not have come at a better time. So many are ‘slipping into the darkness’ and most of us don’t know what to do about it. Now we do! Churches all over America will ‘rise up and call him blessed.'”

– Steve Brown, Founder and Broadcaster, Key Life Ministries, Maitland, FL

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Our mis­sion is to serve Christ and his church by pro­duc­ing clear, engag­ing, fresh, and insight­ful appli­ca­tions of Reformed theology.

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NEW RELEASE – John Frame’s Selected Shorter Writings, Volume 2

Posted on by Kim

John Frame’s Selected Shorter Writings, Volume 2 by John M. Frame

416 pages | Direct Price: $16.99 $13.00 | Paperback

Summary: Twenty-six short, pointed essays summarizing some of Frame’s central (and a few peripheral) ideas about Scripture, theological education, theological method, apologetics, ethics, and the church, along with essays on interesting personal reflections. The book begins with “Inerrancy: A Place to Live,” one of Frame’s shortest and clearest presentations of this aspect of the doctrine of Scripture. This essay is complemented later in the book by “Let God Be True: Scripture and Certainty.” Other essays include “Why Theology Needs Philosophy,” (presaging Frame’s epic History of Western Philosophy and Theology), “The Academic Captivity of Theology,” “The Demise of Systematic Theology,” “The Heart of the Atonement,” “The Bible on the Problem of Evil,” “Tolerance,” “Two Levels of Divine Blessing,” “What Denomination Should I Join?,” “Worship That Pleases God,” “My Exceptions to the Westminster Standards,” and (just for fun) “Triperspectival Dieting.” You will be delighted, entertained, challenged—and come away feeling smarter than you were before!

About the Author:

Frame, JohnJohn M. Frame (A.B., Princeton University; B.D., Westminster Theological Seminary; M.A. and M.Phil., Yale University; D.D., Belhaven College) holds the J. D. Trimble Chair of Systematic Theology and Philosophy at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, FL and is the author of many books, including the four-volume Theology of Lordship series and Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief.

What Others Are Saying About this Book:

“Now, reaching the end of his teaching career, Frame wants to impart in his Selected Shorter Writings ‘the most important thoughts I would like to leave to the next generation.’ Since these are Frame’s ‘most important thoughts,’ I find myself savoring each word.”

— John Barber, Pastor, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church; Adjunct Professor, Fine Arts, Saints Bible Institute

“In comparison with the ‘feast’ of John Frame’s major works, these are the ‘nuggets.’ They still off er vintage Frame, and I heartily recommend them for their wisdom, balance, and incisiveness. Some have a more personal, informal tone and will usefully complement Frame’s major writings, especially for those who want to understand the connection of his writings to the person behind them.”

— Vern S. Poythress, Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Westminster Theological Seminary; Editor, Westminster Theological Journal

“For Professor Frame, being biblically balanced expresses his goal of a lifetime of teaching theology. He has sought not only to express orthodox doctrine from a biblical perspective, but also to convey a theology that is capable of aff ecting a Christian’s total world and life view. . . .This excellent book is a must-read for anyone who seeks to be challenged in understanding the biblical and theological issues that face the church of Jesus Christ today.”

— Kenneth Gary Talbot, President, Whitefield Theological Seminary

The First Volume of John Frame's Selected Shorter Writings:

John Frame’s Selected Shorter Writings, Volume 1

336 pages | Direct Price: $16.99 $13.00 | Paperback

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Our mis­sion is to serve Christ and his church by pro­duc­ing clear, engag­ing, fresh, and insight­ful appli­ca­tions of Reformed theology.

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Read an Excerpt from Prone to Wander

Posted on by Kim

Below is an excerpt from Prone to Wander: Prayers of Confession and Celebration by Wayne Duguid Houk & Barbara R. Duguid and edited by Iain M. Duguid.

These prayers open with a scriptural call of confession, confess specific sins, thank the Father for Jesus’ perfect life and death in our place, ask for help of the Spirit in pursuing holiness, and close with an assurance of pardon.

Inspired by the Puritan classic The Valley of Vision, these prayers were developed for both personal devotions and church use.

*Compassion

Call to Confession: Matthew 9:36

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Prayer of Confession

Lord,

You are our faithful shepherd who walks beside us in green pastures and through the valley of deep shadow. You have promised to pursue us with your goodness and mercy all the days of our lives. Yet we confess that we often doubt your compassion and care for us. When we are harassed and helpless, instead of turning to you and trusting you to care for our needs and lead us in straight paths, we seek help in our idols and comfort in our sins. When others around us are harassed and helpless, we are impatient and lacking in compassion, uncaring about their needs and concerns. Father, forgive us.

Jesus, thank you for the compassion that brought you from heaven to live among us as the Good Shepherd. Thank you for entering life’s trials and enduring death’s valley in our place, without fear. Thank you that you always trusted your Father’s care for you, even when he gave you the overflowing, bitter cup of suffering to drink for us. Thank you that you have prepared a bounteous feast for us in your Father’s house and that we will dwell there in heaven with you forever.

Holy Spirit, be our comforter in the midst of the trials of life. Help us to trust you to provide when we are helpless to do so. Teach us to find refuge in you when we have nowhere else to turn and when no one else seems to understand our needs. Enable us in turn to show similar compassion and care to others as well, we pray, to that we may learn to love the other members of your flock as you do. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Assurance of Pardon: 1 Peter 2:22-25

He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Hymns

“The Lord’s My Shepherd”

“Poor Sinner Dejected with Fear”

“Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us”

*Excerpt taken from pages 126-127 of Prone to Wander: Prayers of Confession and Celebration by Wayne Duguid Houk & Barbara R. Duguid and edited by Iain M. Duguid, copy­right 2014, P&R Pub­lish­ing, Phillips­burg, NJ.

 

BOOK HIGHLIGHT – The Intimate Marriage by R.C. Sproul

Posted on by Kim

Since Valentine’s Day is coming up this week, I thought that this book would be a good choice for a book highlight post on our blog.

Paperback Edition:

The Intimate Marriage: A Practical Guide to Building a Great Marriage
by R.C. Sproul

168 pages | Direct Price: $9.99 $7.50 | Paperback

Hardcover Edition:

The Intimate Marriage: A Practical Guide to Building a Great Marriage
by R.C. Sproul

168 pages | Direct Price: $16.99 $13.00 | Hardcover

Summary: Available in 2 different editions – a more economical paperback edition and a gift-giving hardcover edition. An excellent resource for pre-engagement, engaged couples, and newlyweds. Discusses practical issues in marriage, with questions at the end of chapters. Do you know someone getting married in the near future? You want that person to experience a fulfilling marriage based on solid principles that will last a lifetime. Help a friend or loved one get his or her marriage off to a great start. Most couples happily in love on their wedding day probably do not realize the skill needed to keep the marriage alive for life—‘til death do us part. Dr. Sproul masterfully guides the couple through various problems seen in a typical marriage. He offers the tools and expertise needed for building on the biblical wisdom lacking in today’s divorce ridden society. This isn’t a sterile how-to book, but one that takes the lessons this Bible teacher has learned from his own marriage. Questions at the end of each chapter enable the couple to apply the truths to their own lives.

About the Author:

R.C. Sproul (Drs, Free University of Amsterdam) is founder and chairman of Ligonier Ministries. He has written more than sixty books, including Truths We Confess, 3 Volume Set, Scripture Alone, The Glory of Christ, The Invisible Hand, and The King Without a Shadow. He is also general editor of The Reformation Study Bible, which has been published with the New King James Version and the English Standard Version. Dr. Sproul was professor of systematic theology and apologetics at Knox Theological Seminary in Fort Lauderdale until 2004 and, before that, taught at Reformed Theological Seminary. He serves as senior minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew’s Chapel, Sanford, Florida, and teaches on the national daily radio program Renewing Your Mind.

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Our mis­sion is to serve Christ and his church by pro­duc­ing clear, engag­ing, fresh, and insight­ful appli­ca­tions of Reformed theology.

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