This week’s author interview is with David C. Innes. He is the author of Christ and the Kingdoms of Men: Foundations of Political Life which is releasing 2 weeks from today — August 1st. Read a sample chapter of his book HERE.

  • 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 raised Canadian in a Scottish household. But having come to this great country for graduate studies in 1985, I eventually married a girl from a log house in Massachusetts. We had four children in Iowa where I was a pastor. For the last 15 years, I have been a professor of politics at The King’s College in New York City. I became a U.S. citizen in 2010. In my spare time, I think about what to do in my work time, Sundays excepted.

 

  • What inspired you to write this book, about this topic?

I have no patience for the religion of men. Give me God’s thoughts and God’s ways for God’s glory. It is also true in politics that the ill-advised traditions of men are passed off as the wisdom of God’s will. There is much confusion, flotsam, and imprecision on this subject, and I found myself in a position to contribute what no one else was offering.

 

  • Do you have a specific spot where you enjoy writing most?

I have a chair in my study from a living room set my parents bought in 1978 when I was 16. It is very comfortable, suitably sized, and surrounded by all that I need for writing.

 

  • What book are you reading now?

This summer I read The Children of Men, by P.D. James, set in England just 30 years after suddenly and inexplicably everyone in the world lost the capacity to reproduce. She thinks through the effects – political, economic, moral, and psychological – of there being no children and of the awareness of being the final generation on earth.

 

  • Do you have a favorite movie? What is it and why?

The Inner Circle with Tom Hulse about a newly married young projectionist in Stalin’s Kremlin. It’s about politics making itself everything and snuffing out private life and private affections and the tragedy of that. It’s a love story and it gets me every time.

 

  • Do you have a favorite quote? What is it and why?

My favorite quote is my senior quote in my high school yearbook: “But when one is young one must see things, gather experience, ideas; enlarge the mind.” Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad.

 

  • Favorite sport to watch? Why? Favorite sport’s team?

Hockey, but only the Stanley Cup series. As a boy, I watched Hockey Night in Canada every Saturday at 8. But now you have to buy an extra cable passage to watch hockey, so I don’t. My favorite team is the New York Rangers because they’re mine. Then the Boston Bruins because they were once mine. Then the Toronto Maple Leafs for old time’s sake. But I never see them.

 

  • Favorite food?

Mince and tatties. It is a Scottish meal. Ground beef simmered in a gravy salt (Bisto) and served over mashed potatoes. If it turns out that I’ll be eating this every night for all eternity in the eschatological kingdom, I’ll be fine with that.

 

  • Favorite animal? Why?

A liger. Definitely a liger.

 

How can readers discover more about you and your work?

 

Related posts:

  1. Author Interview with Timothy Miller
  2. Author Interview with Brandon Crowe
  3. David C. Innes – “Four Reasons God Established Government”
  4. Author Interview with David Peterson
  5. Author Interview with David F. Wells