This week’s author interview is with Joel Beeke. He is the co-author of multiple P&R titles including Pastors and Their Critics: A Guide to Coping with Criticism in the Ministry, which releases next week.

When did you first want to write a book? After the Lord brought me to liberty in Christ in my mid-teens.

Which writers inspire you? I am particularly inspired by the Puritans, such as Thomas Goodwin, Thomas Watson, John Bunyan. 

Have you always enjoyed writing? Yes, I have felt called by God to write for His glory, the maturation of saints, and the salvation of the lost since I was a teenager. I feel closest to God when I write for the welfare of His bride. Consequently, I have spent the last forty years writing, and have authored, coauthored, and edited more than 200 books and more than 2,000 articles for periodicals, encyclopedias, and books.  

What inspired you to write this book, about this topic? Being a seminary president and a pastor who has spoken to thousands of pastors in my worldwide travels doing conferences and teaching at seminaries, I am convinced that the most challenging part of ministry for most church leaders is the whole area of how to cope with criticism. I know of no subject that can help pastors today more than the subject of this book co-authored with Nick Thompson on coping with criticism in the ministry. 

Do you have a specific spot where you enjoy writing most? In my study in the seminary.

What book are you reading now? Anthony Burgess’s 145 sermons on John 17

Other than the Bible, do you have a favorite book? John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress

Do you have a favorite book that you have written? Reformed Preaching: Proclaiming God’s Word from the Heart of the Preacher to the Heart of His People (Crossway)

At what time of day do you write most? In the evening—usually until midnight.

How do you deal with writer’s block? I just start writing, knowing that I can go back and revise what I have written.

If you have a favorite book of the Bible, what is it and why? The Psalms, because, as Calvin said, “It is an anatomy of all parts of the soul,” and always drives me to Christ.

Tea or coffee? Tea

How can readers discover more about you and your work?

PRE-ORDER Pastors and Their Critics

Reformation Heritage Books: $10.00

CVBBS: $11.19

Wtsbooks.com: $12.21

PCA Bookstore: $12.47

Christianbook: $13.49

Amazon: $15.99

Related posts:

  1. Author Interview with Joel Beeke & Paul Smalley
  2. FOUR PLACES TO LOOK WHEN FACING CRITICISM by Joel R. Beeke and Nick Thompson
  3. “A LARGELY UNADDRESSED PROBLEM ” by Joel Beeke & Nick Thompson
  4. NEW RELEASE—John Bunyan and the Grace of Fearing God by Joel R. Beeke & Paul M. Smalley
  5. BOOK HIGHLIGHT – Overcoming the World by Joel R. Beeke