I mentioned last week that I had received the first endorsement for The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment, or TDoSD if you were trying to decipher the headline, (which, to remind you, should be available on January 7 of next year). A few weeks ago the manuscript was sent to a handful of authors, teachers and other people I much admire who indicated they would be willing to read through it with a view to providing an endorsement. Now under normal circumstances I would simply wait with these and let these appear first on the back of the book. But since the community at this site has really been involved in the book at every stage, I thought it only fair to post them as they come in. And allow me to pause here for a brief moment. Once again I’d like to thank you for your prayers and support while I wrote the book. They truly were invaluable.
I am a bit concerned that this post will seem self-serving, but do hear my heart here. I’m excited and encouraged to see endorsements begin to arrive and trust you will be too. So here it is: the first endorsement (and do note: this is an excerpt of a larger piece of text).
Tim Challies is uniquely qualified to write on the subject. I don’t know of a more reliable or more prolific commentator on the contemporary evangelical scene. His weblog is a favorite stop for thousands of Christian readers every day. His book reviews and his comments on evangelical trends are consistently even-handed, thorough yet succinct, and full of perceptive insights… The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment is a truly important work—one that should be required reading not only for church leaders, but for all sober-minded laypeople as well.Dr. John MacArthur
Pastor-Teacher, Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, CA
I’ll be sure to let you know when and if other endorsements arrive.
Comments (31) »
1. lisa4given
June 12, 2007
12:36 PM
Excellent Challies. And to God be all the glory.
2. The Aspiring Theologian
June 12, 2007
1:01 PM
Greetings Tim,
I am interested in how the endorsement process works. Are all of these men whom you had met beforehand or did you send them a request to review your book? I am interested in this because I am also working on a book project…
Keep us updated on your book. I look forward to Jan. 7th!
In Christ,
The Aspiring Theologian
The Knight of the Living God
3. John
June 12, 2007
1:53 PM
What a great endorsement. I had already planned on reading it but with that kind of endorsement from John MacArthur, it’s moved to the top of my must read list.
4. Ray Fowler
June 12, 2007
2:05 PM
Congratulations, Tim, that is a great first endorsement. Thanks for sharing it with us.
5. Brendt
June 12, 2007
2:33 PM
Don’t sweat the “self-serving”. You’re giving us an opportunity to “rejoice with those that do rejoice”.
6. Leslie
June 12, 2007
2:34 PM
Wow.
I don’t see how you could be expected to contain that kind of excitement! That’s HUGE! Congratulations!!
7. Dallas Pymm
June 12, 2007
2:49 PM
Let me give you your second endorsement Tim.
Tim salabim Mr. Tim has done it again.
Although his first book Challies, as he is more well known to those who love him best, continues his pursuit to express the need to development the spiritual discipline of discernment. This is a required work for every Christian, no it is not a work to be completed to earn your salvation, but if you don’t read it…and love it…it is an indication that you do not know Christ as your savior…so read it and love it.
-D.C. Pymm (Not a blogger, or pastor, or elder, or PhD, just a plain old guy who knows a good book when he sees one.)
8. The Cutting Truth
June 12, 2007
3:09 PM
hey Tim, congratulations. There’ll come a day when MacArthur will come asking you for your endorsement on his latest book.
Promise us that even if TDoSD sells a million copies, you won’t stop blogging.
9. Tim Challies
June 12, 2007
3:12 PM
“Promise us that even if TDoSD sells a million copies, you won’t stop blogging.”
That’ll be the day. And wouldn’t that be biting the hand that feeds me, so to speak? :)
10. Mark
June 12, 2007
5:04 PM
I think its hilarious how Macarthur mentions the webblog when he doesnt know how to use a computer. someone must print him out the blogs. But that is impressive endorsement by itself.
11. Mark
June 12, 2007
5:06 PM
The reason i know he doesnt is because i personally asked him if he knows how to use one. and he told me he never has.
12. Richard
June 12, 2007
5:26 PM
A very good beginning for your endorsements. I look forward to purchasing a copy in January.
13. Richard
June 12, 2007
5:26 PM
A very good beginning for your endorsements. I look forward to purchasing a copy in January.
14. alan
June 12, 2007
5:28 PM
Your first endorsement is by Johnny Mac? Oh I’m definitely buying the book….put me down for 1 or2 at least, maybe I’ll buy a dozen and give them as staff Christmas presents! Congrats!
15. Lance M. Roberts
June 12, 2007
5:28 PM
Congratulations Tim. That is a pretty good start on the endorsement list. It sounds like a much needed book for our day as the modern church continues to wallow through the muddy trough of this age with an utter lack of discernment.
16. Lance M. Roberts
June 12, 2007
5:29 PM
Congratulations Tim. That is a pretty good start on the endorsement list. It sounds like a much needed book for our day as the modern church continues to wallow through the muddy trough of this age with an utter lack of discernment.
17. Lance M. Roberts
June 12, 2007
5:31 PM
Sorry for the multiple entries. When I clicked “post” it just hung there so I clicked it more than once and thus…multiple posts.
18. afrikaner
June 12, 2007
5:45 PM
Why must books have endorsements? I find them annoying. Who else could you call upon for a endorsement? Calvin, Spurgeon, Whitfield, Edwards, Maecchem, Schaeffer? But Macarthur? Did he not recently say that you cannot be a calvinist and hold to amillenialism? I’ve read a few of Macarthurs books and would say that there are meatier authors worthy of reading.
19. afrikaner
June 12, 2007
5:57 PM
Your book will be keenly read by your enthusiastic audience because they enjoy your biblical incitefulness. They will your ‘endorsements’ to their fellow pastors, or ‘laymen’ (what an aweful term). They including moi, already know a good thing when they see it….
20. Susanna
June 12, 2007
6:01 PM
One thing I think is awesome about all these comments is they are different from the norm since your work as a blogger and success in doing so is a ground breaking thing in today’s world. Thus, the comments show that more thought has gone into them since they are not just writen for the typical evangelical preacher/teacher.
I’m so excited for you and as another commenter said, “to God be the glory!” He is doing great things through you!z
21. Susanna
June 12, 2007
6:04 PM
Woops, I meant to say what I think is neat about this endorsement, not comment!:)
22. Jeri
June 12, 2007
7:14 PM
Congratulations Tim! That is wonderful; were you not just so humbled and happy when you received that endorsement? And it couldn’t have happened to a better or more timely book. Praise the Lord!
23. Nath @ Reformed Geek
June 12, 2007
8:18 PM
All praise be to God! What an incredible endorsement! I don’t know how you waited this long to let us know…
I’ll have my order in when it becomes available - hopefully it won’t take too long to be flown over to Aus. from the U.S.
24. Tim Challies
June 12, 2007
8:44 PM
“Why must books have endorsements? I find them annoying. Who else could you call upon for a endorsement?”
Books have endorsements for two reasons: First, to give them credibility and second to introduce them to new audiences (readers of MacArthur who haven’t heard of me may now read the book because they see his name on it). I agree that they are odd things, but it’s just how things are done.
“Congratulations Tim! That is wonderful; were you not just so humbled and happy when you received that endorsement?”
Absolutely. Somehow it makes the whole project seem just a bit more “real.”
25. Greg
June 12, 2007
9:00 PM
Congratulations Tim
I must say I am excited for you…and to think were going to be hanging out Saturday mornings…hey hold on!!I’m excited for me:)
26. Scott McClare
June 12, 2007
10:31 PM
Hey Tim: As I recall, the original working title of your book was The Discipline of Discernment. When did the word “Spiritual” get slipped in, and was it your decision or the publisher’s?
Not complaining, I just thought the original had a nicer sound to it. The extra word breaks up the alliteration.
27. donsands
June 13, 2007
8:14 AM
What a great endorsement! That must have made your heart swell with encouragement.
The Lord blessed you, and may He bless and edify all those who read the wisdom that He has given you to share with His Church.
28. donsands
June 13, 2007
8:14 AM
What a great endorsement! That must have made your heart swell with encouragement.
The Lord blessed you, and may He bless and edify all those who read the wisdom that He has given you to share with His Church.
29. Tim Challies
June 13, 2007
9:29 AM
“As I recall, the original working title of your book was The Discipline of Discernment. When did the word “Spiritual” get slipped in, and was it your decision or the publisher’s?”
That got added after I submitted the manuscript and the people at the publisher met to discuss the name (which is, I guess, standard procedure). They thought it would be important to add the word “spiritual” just to make the book’s thrust a bit more obvious. I agree that the previous title had a bit more of a ring to it, but I’m still quite content.
30. Alex S. Leung
June 13, 2007
3:26 PM
Hey Tim,
I just wanted to echo the other commenters here by saying CONGRATULATIONS! I am certain that it is truly an evidence of grace, of how the Lord Himself is working through your work and ministry here at Challies.com
As one of the few Canadians and Torontonians around here, I hope to have you sign it and get a photo with you =D (Maybe I’ll catch ya @ T4G’08!) I hope one day I could have the time and energy to read and write as prolific as you, brother.
Thanks for being a great example of a “discerning reader”.
In Christ alone,
Alex S. Leung
31. Sewing
June 13, 2007
9:57 PM
I haven’t been following your blog long enough to have been aware of the book, but congratulations, Tim for an endorsement like that, and to God alone be all the glory. For “discerning” (heh) book buyers, an endorsement like that will be critical. No matter what the content, I don’t suppose you’ll be able to get an imprimatur from the local bishop to go along with that, though….