This week’s author interview is with Jill Nelson. She is the author of God’s Gospel.

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

I was born and raised in Minnesota, as was my husband Bruce. Despite the long, cold winters we have chosen to stay here (sometimes we wonder why). We have two married children, Sarah and Jacob, and 4 grandchildren. We are blessed that they live nearby and see them often.

Although I hold a B.A. in Biology from the University of Minnesota I never pursued a career in this field. Instead (and happily!), my main “job” for the past 34 years has been as a wife, mom, home school teacher, children’s ministry volunteer, and curriculum writer.

In my free time I love reading, birding, gardening (over the too brief MN summer), hiking, camping, and playing with the grandkids.

 

  • Question #2 – Which writers inspire you?

Authors who inspire me include: John Piper, John MacArthur, R.C. Sproul, Jerry Bridges, Kevin DeYoung … just to name a few. There are so many more! I usually try to devour 1-2 books per week.

 

  • Question #3 – Have you always enjoyed writing?

God definitely leads us down paths we never imagined! I NEVER aspired to be a writer. In fact, in college, I only took one course in writing. Science was my thing. But I was driven to write based, in part, by great desperation. Twenty years ago there was a theological famine in many children’s ministry materials. Week after week I was sitting under the preaching of John Piper, receiving a majestic vision of the holiness of God. But in our Sunday school classrooms, where I was a teacher, we were using materials that gave children a view of God and His Word that was trite, shallow, and even skewed. So along with my good friend Sally Michael I began to write children’s curriculum from which Children Desiring God was eventually born. For me, writing was a huge learning curve. But over time, God gave me the grace to not only write, but to love writing.

 

  • Question #4 – What inspired you to write this book, about this topic?

Years ago I read John MacArthur’s classic The Gospel According to Jesus. God had brought me to saving faith during the whole “born again” movement so MacArthur’s book really resonated with me. How many people have believed in a gospel of their own making? How many professing believers are actually on the road to hell? Unfortunately, in our day there is a whole new climate of gospel confusion, especially when it comes to presenting the gospel to children. Essential truths such as God’s holiness, His rightful wrath, our total depravity, etc. are often minimized or completely absent in children’s materials. Many people think that children cannot possibly grasp key doctrines such as justification – the heart of the gospel. But children can understand these essential truths when they are presented in a clear, accurate, and child-friendly manner. As parents and teachers, we have no greater responsibility and privilege than to share with our children the glorious gospel of Jesus. It was out of this conviction that I wrote a curriculum titled, “Jesus, What a Savior”, from which the book is an adaption.

 

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

I am not sure that I’ m in a position to really give advice yet. I am still learning. Making the transition from writing curricula for children is very different than writing a book for children. But here are some things I have profited from thus far.

  1. Read a lot of good, solid biblical authors.
  2. Be much more concerned about being biblical than being popular. This is especially true when writing Christian material for children.
  3. Bounce your ideas off of others before getting too far in the writing process. Invite their feedback and criticism.
  4. Depend on God instead of simply depending on your own skills. Pray throughout the writing process.
  5. Be eager and willing to submit your writing to vigorous theological review. I am so blessed that publishers like P&R and Children Desiring God really take theological review seriously.

 

  • Question #6 – Favorite sport to watch?

Favorite sport’s team? My husband and I are probably very odd. We don’t follow any organized sports – not ever. If you were to ask us who is in the Super Bowl, World Series, etc. we probably wouldn’t know. Ask us instead about what our favorite birds are – now that gets us excited. We cheer for warblers as they arrive in spring.

 

  • Question #7 – Favorite animal?

Dogs! Why? For me, dogs (at least every dog we’ve ever owned) present an illustration of Psalm 16:11. When I think of how much my dog simply enjoys being in my presence… a million times more should I desire and delight to bask in God’s presence!

 

  • Question #8 – If you have a favorite book of the Bible, what is it and why?

As John Piper claims Romans is “The greatest letter ever written.” My family had the privilege of listening as John preached 225 sermons on this book. These words from Paul sum up why I love this book so much:

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:33-36 ESV)

How can readers discover more about you and your work?

 

Related posts:

  1. NEW RELEASE – God’s Gospel by Jill Nelson
  2. Author Interview with Elizabeth Turnage
  3. Author Interview with Brandon Crowe
  4. Author Interview with Timothy Miller
  5. Author Interview with Kathi Westlund