If you've been following me very long, you know I usually only do one author interview per month, but y'all, this month something exciting happened--my father-in-law's new book released! When I fell in love with my husband, I had no idea the amazing family I was getting along with him, but I love them all so much. Today, I'm going to introduce you to my second dad, the one who is always good to bounce ideas off of and is an amazing Grandpa to my children. He's just published a book that will be an awesome resource for new Christians or anyone not familiar with the Bible already. But I'll let him tell you more as we chat. David, have you always liked to write or is that something that has developed through the other occupations you've held over the years (preaching and teaching)? As I advanced in school, I don’t recall ever being put off by writing assignments. I liked to read, and was encouraged to do so. My “wiring” was such as that, as I got older, I began to just naturally notice the way authors write, turn a phrase, etc., even as I learned their content. In college and grad school, I took on courses, even independent studies, that let me learn through research and writing. So, writing was first and probably influenced my career interests. What would you say your biggest learning curve has been in becoming a published writer? Trying to master the many details of the process. Preachers and teachers are always moving on to the next sermon or unit. I was writing all along, but typically didn’t have time to focus on the details of publishing which, like every profession, has its rules and details. Mastering them has been a challenge, not least because the details take me away from my study and writing! If you had all the time and money in the world to do whatever you wanted, what is the biggest thing you'd love to achieve? Well, the likelihood of that makes it a tough question! I’d set up my library and work area to maximize the writing I still want to do. But I’d also like to visit more of the historic sites I’ve read about, perhaps combining that with attending at least one game in every major-league baseball park. But I don’t want to be gone so much I can’t enjoy watching my grandkids grow! This book you've just released is based on a Bible class you taught, correct? Who would you say the ideal audience would be for reading this material? It’s actually more than one. Chapters on the makeup of the Bible and summaries of the different divisions of Bible history were originally notes developed in the mid-1980s for a Christian school course I was teaching to junior high students. The Intertestamental History chapter was a unit I taught in other school and church courses. The summary of the entire story came into focus about a year ago when I was asked to teach it as part of an adult Bible class series at church. The book is a primer and will help both Bible study beginners and church-goers who have never heard or need a review of the big picture. Bible classes and sermons tend to zero in on small parts of a Bible book or topics. That’s not a bad thing, and I love those detailed studies. But as I’ve grown older, I’ve come to a greater appreciation of always keeping the big picture in view for study of both the whole story and individual Bible books. I find that the details often come alive when we see them in the larger context. High school readers should be able to handle the material. But it doesn’t talk down to those readers, and I don’t think older readers will find its style to be juvenile in nature. My goal was articulated in a podcast interview with Eric Metaxes I heard a few weeks ago. To paraphrase, he said his aim when writing on subjects like Dietrich Bonhoeffer was to accurately tell the story in a way an academic would appreciate, but will help general readers learn what the academic knows. That was a “wish I had said that” moment for me. Are you working on any other books right now? Can you tell us a little about them? I have multiple projects laid out in outline form. Currently, I’m working on a study of the Gospel of Mark to learn from the way Jesus trained his first followers as they struggled with the challenges they faced as they struggled to learn to be committed disciples. I know you also keep a website with various articles and lessons. Can you tell us more about what we could find there? From about 2002 until 2015, my sermon notes, bulletin articles, and several class outlines were posted on the website of the church where I was pulpit minister. When the site was discontinued in 2015, I created my website (www.davidanguish.com) to keep some of that material available. I’ve added newer materials too. There are also links to Christian universities and sites I think people will benefit from exploring—including archaeology, church growth, and leadership. I’m working on developing a new section where I plan to post writings on some of the subjects relating to Christian apologetics (or evidences). Last but not least, I always ask my authors to give me one fun fact about themselves that hardly anyone knows. :-) Having moved to Atlanta when I was 11 and to Memphis in my 40s, I’ve lived most of my life as a suburbanite. But before moving to Atlanta, we lived several years on one of two farms my grandfather owned in southeastern Ohio. He didn’t get his first tractor until I was 9. So, I’ve driven a team of horses—and at least been introduced to the task of milking a cow. Not things most suburban and city kids do. I know a little boy who probably wishes his Grandpa still had a tractor to drive. He loves everything with wheels. Thanks so much for sharing with us today. To read more about David and his book, keep reading. The Bible can be a puzzle for first time readers. Why is it so different? Why study it? What is the nature of its different writings? What is its story, its plot? How do the individual books and parts fit in that story? Getting Acquainted with the Bible is a primer that aims to introduce the Bible’s big picture, purpose, and parts. The book also presents an overview of the Bible’s complete story along with summaries of that story’s different parts. Both first-time Bible readers and those who would like a review will find it useful. Print available: http://amazon.com/author/davidanguish - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/getting-acquainted-with-the-bible-david-anguish/1131474020?ean=2940156558933 Ebook available at several sites-list is available here: http://books2read.com/u/mdLVJ5 David Anguish has worked as a minister, educator, and author. He has also taught in lecture programs, Bible teacher workshops, and retreats. He holds degrees in Bible from Freed-Hardeman and Lipscomb Universities. He and his late wife Carlynn were married for just under forty years. Their family includes two sons, a daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.
1 Comment
Alicia Haney
5/20/2019 05:12:31 pm
Hi, I really enjoyed this interview, very, very interesting and informative. Thank you. God bless you both.
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