George Robertson, author of 2 of our Basics of the Faith booklets, Am I Called? and What Is Evangelism?, was nice enough to answer some questions for us so we can get to know him a little bit more.

• Tell us a little bit about yourself.

“I was born in Sikeston, Missouri but grew up in Sheffield, Alabama. My dad managed a small retail store which we all worked in. I have two older brothers–one lives in Nashville and the other in Searcey, Arkansas.

After a period of depression, I came to Christ in middle school. Soon after, I was encouraged by those discipling me to pursue ministry. My professors at Covenant College and Covenant Seminary not only instructed me, they nurtured me in the grace of the gospel.

I pastored Covenant Presbyterian Church in St. Louis (Francis Shaeffer’s former pastorate) from 1990-2005 and taught homiletics at Covenant Seminary from 1992-2005. I’ve been serving First Presbyterian Church in Augusta, Georgia since 2005 and teach homiletics at Erskine Theological Seminary.

My wife Jackie and I met at Covenant College and have been married since 1989. She is an Occupational Therapist. We have four children: Taylor (19), Anna and Abbey (16) and Caroline (10). Our family loves to play and watch all sports and I especially love hunting and fishing.”

• What writers inspire you?

“Among the writers who inspire me are John Calvin, F.W. Boreham, Charles Spurgeon, Jonathan Edwards, Gilbert Tennent, George MacDonald, C.S. Lewis, Tim Keller, Bob Lupton, Henri Nouwen, William Shakespeare, Flannery O’Connor, Laura Hillenbrand, and Alexander Whyte.”

• What is your favorite book?

“My favorite book is Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption (2010) by Laura Hillenbrand.”

• Do you have a favorite quote?

“My favorite quote is: “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!”” ― Hunter S. Thompson

• Do you have a favorite movie?

“My favorite movie is The Dark Knight because it effectively portrays how unfairly the devil wages war and provides an image of the rare heroic love a leader must have for his people.”

• When do you most enjoy writing?

“For me, morning is the best time to write.”

• How do you deal with writer’s block?

“To conquer writer’s block, I just start writing. . . anything.”

• What is your favorite sport to watch?

“My favorite sport to watch is college football.”

• What is your favorite animal?

“My favorite animal is a hunting dog.”

• Do you have a favorite book of the Bible?

“My favorite books of the Bible is 1 & 2 Corinthians, because it puts all of my church’s challenges in perspective”

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How can someone learn more about you?

You can visit my blog by visiting http://media.firstpresaugusta.org/category/blogs/probe/ or you can check out First Presbyterian Augusta’s church website by visiting http://firstpresaugusta.org/.

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Matthew Barrett received his PhD from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He currently is Assistant Professor of Christian Studies at California Baptist University. He is also the founder and executive editor of Credo Magazine, where you can read many of his articles. He is the author and editor of several books, including Salvation by Grace: The Case for Effectual Calling and Regeneration and What is Regeneration?. You can read about Barrett’s other publications at  www.matthewmbarrett.com.

• Question #1 – Have you always enjoyed writing?

“Yes, I have. I know that for many writing is painful and burdensome. However, I have found it liberating and enriching. I read a lot of books, both old and new. The more I read the more I tend to think deeply about the most important theological truths and concepts in Scripture and church history. So writing is a way for me to share with others those biblical, theological, and historical concepts that have changed my life. In this sense, publishing is truly a ministry for me. It allows me to bless others with those God-given truths that have blessed me so profoundly.”

• Question #2 – Do you have a favorite author? Who is it and why?

“I don’t know that I can pick just one. If I can limit my choice to three they would be: Augustine, John Calvin, and John Owen. Augustine has a way of painting a picture of God that is breathtaking. The Lord truly utilized this bishop’s talents in rhetoric when Augustine began writing theological treatises. Augustine will light a fire within your heart for the triune God like no other author.

I think it would be a sin not to include John Calvin. In my mind, Calvin is a master theologian who ties his theology to piety. Sadly, many have a misinformed impression of Calvin, as if he is this cold, calculating, heartless theologian. Not true. Calvin beautifully connects deep theological truths with their corresponding pastoral implications.

I must slip in John Owen as well. I am not sure I have met a theological mind as rigorous as Owen’s. Just when you think you have turned over every dogmatic stone, Owen opens a door and introduces you to mountains of theological rocks that demand exploration. But like Augustine and Calvin, Owen’s theological quests are like an archer’s arrow, which pierces the human heart, bringing the sinner to his knees in repentance and faith in Christ.”

• Question #3 – Do you have an interesting writing quirk?

“Typically when I wake up in the morning, ideas and concepts start racing through my mind. So I waste no time, but go straight from my bed to my computer in order to put down those thoughts before they escape me. However, this also means that before I know it hours have passed and I am still in my pajamas. Yes, yes, this has made for some awkward conversations when someone decides to stop by the house at 2pm and I look like I just got out of bed.”

• Question #4 – How do you deal with writer’s block?

“If I am feeling stuck I have found that one of the best things to do in order to push me along is to read, read, and read some more. In fact, it doesn’t always have to be a book directly related to my research. Just reading good, solid books by other stimulating authors starts to get the pen (or keyboard!) moving.”

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

“Writing is progressive. The more you write, the better you become. So if you tend to be a perfectionist, like me, then you will want to pray for patience. Most likely, your last book will be much better than your first book. Like sanctification, the writer looks back over years and years and sees how he/she has grown as a writer and improved.”

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To learn more about Matthew Barrett,visit www.matthewmbarrett.com or Credo Magazine.

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