Interview Questions
Next week I have the opportunity to offer both Chuck Colson and Iain Murray. I’d love to get some feedback from the readers here about what I might want to ask them. Read on…
In a couple of months I’ll be attending and writing about the Banner of Truth Ministers’ Conference this May (it runs from the 27th to the 29th) down in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (can you believe I actually found a direct flight from Toronto to Harrisburg? I wouldn’t have believed it was possible). Though I’ve come to know Steve Burlew quite well (he heads up Banner in North America), I have never attended one of their conferences or visited their headquarters. I am looking forward to getting to know one of the original Reformed ministries! In conjunction with the conference, I’ve been given the opportunity to interview Iain Murray—one of the keynote speakers at that conference. I will be interviewing him next week.
Now Iain Murray is a hero to me. His books have impacted me deeply and have impacted many people I love and respect. I am really looking forward to interviewing him. I have a short list of questions prepared, but would be glad to accept some of yours. If you have something you’d like to ask Iain Murray, let me know and I’ll consider sending it through.
Meanwhile, Chuck Colson is about to embark on a blog tour (sound familiar?) to promote his new book, The Faith (subtitled “What Christians Believe, Why They Believe It, and Why It Matters”). Because the book was late arriving from the publisher, I haven’t yet had opportunity to read it, and my spot was bumped from day one to day six or seven. I will only be asking him one or two questions, but would like to make them count. I don’t want to toss him a softball, but would like to ask something Interesting and thought-provoking. I’ve got some ideas, but once more would love to receive some ideas. So if something comes to mind, shoot me an email or leave a comment.
Comments (17) »
1. Steve Burlew
February 23, 2008
2:42 PM
Great idea, Tim!
2. Gordon Cheng
February 23, 2008
2:57 PM
You might ask Iain Murray for some comments on the way evangelicals today understand the link between Word and Spirit.
It seems to me that the Pentecostals have managed to draw an almost complete disjunction between God’s Word and God’s Holy Spirit, and some evangelicals at least appear to have reacted by speaking only of God’s word and almost ignoring the work of the Spirit.
I notice that in Iain’s writing about revival (eg in Murray’s The Puritan Hope) it is very clear that puritans in both England and America had no hesitation at all in speaking of God’s Holy Spirit and looking to Him to change peoples’ lives.
So would appreciate hearing Iain’s comments on this. Please also pass on thanks for his work with Banner of Truth, a great publishing ministry.
Thanks Tim for doing the interview!
3. S Jackson
February 23, 2008
3:04 PM
Since Mr Colson was instrumental in the development of the ECT document, I’d love to know how his book relates to his stance on ECT.
4. Dave
February 23, 2008
8:04 PM
I’m a little curious about Colson’s views on how Christians should view American political history.
It’s been a long time since I heard Colson’s Breakpoint, but I seem to recall regularly repeated references to “our great founding fathers” (etc.) which, particularly as I’m a Canadian, got extremely tedious and seemed a little misdirected. Was that his attempt to communicate to a non-Christian audience or something else…
5. Shane Trammel
February 24, 2008
2:26 AM
I too would like to understand Colson position with regard to ECT. Does he regret his envolvement? Would he do it differently if he could do it over? Does he really think a Catholic who follows official Catholic doctrine is saved, justified, as true Christian? If he does, how can he, either the Catholics have salvation right, the Protestants have it right, or neither have it right, but they both can’t have it right, there must be only one way to be justified. Is it by faith/works righteousness or by faith alone, in Christ alone, through His grace alone?
Colson needs to make it clear what his position is on how a person becomes a Christian.
6. john challiesb
February 24, 2008
12:59 PM
ask him how he treats his ghost writers!!! gamullet
7. phil simpson
February 24, 2008
2:38 PM
For Iain Murray:
Why did Dr. Lloyd-Jones agree to co-pastor at Westminster Chapel when the senior pastor (Dr. G. Campbell Morgan) was Arminian in his theology? Was this a mistake, or was Lloyd-Jones exemplifying Christian unity? Is this instructive for Christians who may find that the best church in their area may not necessarily be the one and only Calvinistic church in their hometown?
To what extent should Reformed Christians cooperate with Arminians, in terms of evangelistic outreach, prayer meetings, or even church membership? Or will such theological differences inevitably lead to schism? (Although, it never seemed to do so in the case of Lloyd-Jones and Morgan.)
This is not just a minute matter of historical trivia; rather, I think it’s more common than many reformed Christian leaders realize: many reformed Christians (especially living in small towns or areas which are geographically more Arminian) don’t have many church options where the doctrines of grace will be preached. So how do such people minister and use their gifts among those of a different theological bent, without being divisive?
Thanks, Tim. I look forward to the interviews!
-Phil
8. curtis sheidler
February 24, 2008
6:02 PM
I don’t know enough about Iain Murray (apart from the name) to really offer any suggestions as to interview questions. I have, however, been a fan of Colson’s work for many years, although my enthusiasm for his work has waned somewhat since my theology became more reformed.
Colson’s work is all about looking at what it means to be “the body of Christ.” (The Body, How Now Shall We Live?, Against the Night, etc., are all examinations of this theme.) Like many of the others here, then, I’m interested to see his perspective on how deeply our theologies are woven into that notion. Perhaps the question I’d most like to see him respond to is, “What theological distinctives mark the body of Christ at large?” I’ve got the sense (based on many of his books and on his work with ECT) that Colson would include Roman Catholicism as a theology that would be consonant with being part of the Scriptural understanding of the Body, but would he, for example, assert that Mormons are also part of it? Another way to put the question might be, “What theological distinctives are non-negotiables in determining who belongs to the Body of Jesus Christ?”
I’m looking forward to both of these interviews, Tim!
9. Kim Shenberger
February 24, 2008
6:30 PM
For Iain Murray:
I’d like to know which was his favorite of all his biographies.
Was there anything he discovered in his research that greatly surprised him? (with regard to any of the subjects)
Is there anyone preaching and writing today whose biography he thinks should be written?
(If I could sit down for a half hour with any one person, I would choose Iain Murray. I think he is a remarkable man; gracious, kind, insightful, and wise.)
10. Lisa Nunley
February 24, 2008
9:10 PM
Chuck Colson: Please define Biblical unity.
11. Fred
February 24, 2008
10:11 PM
Does Ian believe that Evangelical Christianity has become more fragmented since he wrote his book Evan.Divided and can it be salvaged or is it a, “each did what was right in his own eyes” situation?
Many leaders today seem not to want to boldly confront other leaders. Is that because they have adopted the PM view that no one can know anything for sure, or is it a matter of economics, if you catch my drift.
12. jurisnaturalist
February 24, 2008
10:45 PM
Ask Colson what Christians believe about monotheism compared to paganism. Ask him whether he sees manipulation of the political mechanism by Christians as a pagan act. Nathanael Snow ndsnow@gmail.com
13. Scott
February 24, 2008
10:59 PM
I too have read many of Iain’s writings and have received great benefit from them. I would like you to ask Iain about his book “The Forgotten Spurgeon”. I read this book in college (25+ years ago) and the Lord used it to help me to finally embrace fully the Doctrines of Grace. Over the years I have talked to many others who have read the book and have had it used to accomplish the same end in their lives. I am curious as to the background of the book and why he wrote it. I would also like to know what feedback he has recieved from the book as well.
I wish you the best in the interviews.
14. Jeff
February 26, 2008
10:57 AM
You have just released The Cross booklet. What upcoming plans do you have for future releases?
15. Carlos
February 26, 2008
11:00 AM
I own and have read many books by Iain Murray and have received great benefit from them. But I would like you ask him to confirm if the following story is true. I’ve heard that Lloyd Jones was horrified that something so Presbyterian as 2 vols of The Church of Christ by James Bannerman was being published by Banner of Truth.
May God bless the interview!
16. JC
February 27, 2008
4:25 AM
For Mr. Murray, What books are in the pipeline?
17. Jim Vellenga
February 28, 2008
5:56 PM
I don’t have any questions, but I am looking forward to being at the Banner as well. I hope you find it as enjoyable as I have. I have went for the past 5 years, and been blessed every time. See you there Tim D.V.