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Author Interview with Philip Graham Ryken

Posted on by Kim

This week’s author interview is with Philip Graham Ryken. He is the author of 17 P&R titles, the editor of 1, and a contributor of several others.

  • Question #1 – Which writers inspire you?

C.S. Lewis is a big inspiration for me. His ideas are always compelling; he has an easy, almost conversational style; and an amazing ear for the rhythms of the English language. Among contemporary writers, Marilynne Robinson may be my favorite. Every one of her sentences is a gift.

 

  • Question #2 – Did you always enjoy writing?

This question seems to imply that I enjoy writing now, but I’m not sure I do. Writing is very hard work. I come close to enjoyment when I get an idea just right in written form. And of course it is always satisfying to see one’s work in print. But the cost of rewriting something again and again is very high.

 

  • Question #3 – Do you have a specific spot where you enjoy writing the most?

Two spots, actually. One is Weston Farms on the Eastern shore of the Chesapeake. Over the course of my first decade as a writer, we spent a week there every autumn—great memories. Now I do some of my best work in a cabin on the shores of Long Lake, in the Wisconsin Northwoods, where Wheaton has a campus. I am deeply privileged to have private places to think and write, in settings of natural beauty.

 

  • Question #4 – What books are you reading now?

Rodney Stark, God’s Battalions: The Case for the Crusades; Don Share and Christian Wiman, The Open Door: One Hundred Poems, One Hundred Years of Poetry Magazine; Mixchelle Alexander, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness

 

  • Question #5 – Do you have a favorite quote?  What is it, and why?

For the calling of a writer, my favorite quote is one of my father’s maxims: “Less is More.” I also like what James Michener said, to the effect that although he is not a very good writer, he happens to be a decent re-writer.

 

  • Question #6 – Do you have a favorite book that you have written?

My favorite book is the one I am working on at the time.

 

  • Question #7 – At what time of day do you write most?

I write most effectively in the morning, and then less effectively as the day goes on.

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Books by Philip Graham Ryken:

Reformed Expository Commentary Series:
Basics of the Faith Series:
Other Books Written by Philip Ryken:
He Is the Editor of:

BOOK HIGHLIGHT – Your Family, God’s Way by Wayne A. Mack

Posted on by Kim

Your Family, God’s Way: Developing and Sustaining Relationships in the Home      by Wayne A. Mack

240 pages | $12.99 | Paperback | Published: 1991

Summary: Why do some families grow closer, when others fall apart?

As a husband, father of four, and family counselor, Wayne A. Mack knows what makes families tick. Here he offers biblical insight and practical wisdom into two crucial areas of family life: communication and conflict resolution. Alerting us to the pitfalls of faulty communication, such as “undertalk,” “overtalk,” poor listening, forms of falsehood, and “circuit jammers” to communication, Mack examines why families fight and explains the key to turning family discord into harmony.

Firsthand success stories and highly practical application questions give hope and clear direction to all who wish to build stronger families God’s way.

About the Author:

Wayne Mack lives in Pretoria, South Africa, where he serves as a pastor-elder with his son-in-law and teaches biblical counseling at Strengthening Ministries Training Institute to pastors and aspiring pastors in the region. He also spends about six weeks in the USA teaching at various churches. He and his wife, Carol, have four adult children and numerous grandchildren.

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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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2 NEW RELEASES in the REC Series: Ecclesiastes by Douglas Sean O’Donnell & 1 Peter by Daniel M. Doriani

Posted on by Kim

Ecclesiastes by Douglas Sean O’Donnell

272 pages | $22.99 | Hardcover | Series: Reformed Expository Commentary

Summary: Douglas O’Donnell shows, in this redemptive-historical, biblical, practical, and expositional commentary, that Ecclesiastes answers two key questions that worry everybody in the depths of their minds. The first is “What does man gain from all the toil at which he toils under the sun?”—the answer being “nothing.” The second follows: “In light of such vanity—the fact that our work and knowledge and pleasures and possessions are ultimately made futile by death—how then should we live this temporary life under the sun?” The answer is surprisingly simple: we are to abandon human illusions of self-importance, put aside all pretense of pride, and embrace divine wisdom. “The Preacher” of Ecclesiastes says that this is “the end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (12:13). O’Donnell explains how these two key ideas inform the text of Ecclesiastes and the practical instruction that flows from them.

About the Author:

ODonnell_DouglasDouglas Sean O’Donnell (MA, Trinity Evangelical Division School; MA, Wheaton College Graduate School) is the Senior Pastor of New Covenant Church in Naperville, Illinois. He is also the author of God’s Lyrics: Rediscovering Worship through Old Testament Songs.

 

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1 Peter by Daniel M. Doriani

288 pages | $24.99 | Hardcover | Series: Reformed Expository Commentary

Summary: Many Christians around the world today face severe persecution, while others daily feel the weight of cultural pressure against them. The apostle Peter speaks to this as he reminds us that Christians are aliens and exiles in an often-hostile empire. Yet we are simultaneously the chosen of God, equipped by Jesus’ works for us and in us to live faithfully in our dual identity.

In this exposition of 1 Peter, Daniel Doriani explains how the work of Christ enables Christians to live with hope, joy, and faithfulness in a pagan world. He also explores Peter’s emphasis on the kind of life that pleases God – a life that includes respect for authorities, just or unjust; godly behavior as a wife, husband, or elder; and, by God’s grace, good deeds, courage, and a firm stand in the face of trials.

About the Author:

Doriani_DanDaniel M. Doriani is vice president of strategic academic projects and professor of theology at Covenant Theological Seminary. Previously he was senior pastor of Central Presbyterian Church in Clayton, Missouri.

 

 

The Reformed Expository Commentary Series:

As are all the books in the Reformed Expository Commentary series, these expositions are accessible to both pastors and lay readers. Each volume in the series provides exposition that gives careful attention to the biblical text, is doctrinally Reformed, focuses on Christ through the lens of redemptive history, and applies the Bible to our contemporary setting.

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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 – God with Us by Glenn R. Kreider

Posted on by Kim

God with Us: Exploring God’s Personal Interactions with His People throughout the Bible by Glenn R. Kreider

240 pages | $14.99 | Paperback

Summary: The humility of God is a mind-boggling concept. The self-sufficient, transcendent Holy One… does he really come down to the level of those he has created?

Yet this is not only true, but a major biblical theme—God’s way of relating to his creatures is by condescending to come to where they are. The ultimate example is Christ’s incarnation—but this is not the only time God has humbled himself for his creation, either before or afterward.

Glenn Kreider explores the whole Bible to show us the full scope of God’s active involvement in his creation from the very beginning. This better understanding of God’s humility will affect our own humility and our attitude toward serving those around us.

What Others Say About This Book:

“This is not a book that shrinks the greatness of the God of Scripture, that cuts him down to our size. On the contrary, it recounts how the biblical story shows this great and awesome God humbling himself again and again to rescue the likes of us! I pray the Lord will use it to promote a passion for generous humility.” — Robert A. Peterson, Professor of Systematic Theology, Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri

“Surprising to some, shocking to others, unappealing to the proud, missed by the mighty, but challenging to the disciple and so very comforting to the weak and destitute—God humbles himself for our sake. Read this book. Meditate upon its biblical teaching. See God. Be changed, comforted, and challenged.” — D. Jeffrey Bingham, Associate Dean of Biblical and Theological Studies, Professor of Theology, Wheaton College

About the Author:

Kreider_Glenn Glenn R. Kreider (Th.M., Ph.D., Dallas Theological Seminary) is professor of theological studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. Previously he served a church in Cedar Hill, Texas as pastor and as director of the Christian Education program.

 

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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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20% OFF plus FREE shipping starts on Black Friday!

Posted on by Cherith

Don’t miss out on our online only Black Friday special! 

BlackFriday_Nov14

Use NOV14 at checkout and you will receive 20% OFF our already discounted Direct prices—plus FREE* shipping! (That’s almost 40% off the Retail price!). This offer starts November 28th and ends on December 2, 2014.

*Free USPS shipping on orders of $25 or more (domestic orders only). 

Here are some great books you won’t want to miss!