The Gospel Coalition

Burk Parsons has posted a very good interview (in two parts). It is well worth your time to read the whole thing, which is full of wise and godly counsel.

Here are the questions:

• Keith, please provide a brief bio of where you’re from and when and how you became a Christian.
• What is your list of the top ten books that everyone should read?
• What are the five most helpful blogs to your life and ministry?
• Name one book you’re currently reading that you think might be helpful for others.
• What other book(s) are you currently reading?
• When did you write your first book and why did you decide to write it?
• What projects are you working on currently? And what projects do you hope to work on in the near future?
• What is something that many books or writers are lacking today?
• If you could study under any churchman in history who would it be and why?
• If you could have a one-hour discussion with any living person in all the world who would it be and why?
• What counsel has proven to be most helpful in your life?
• What is one piece of advice you can offer the up and coming generation of seminarians?
• What is one piece of advice you can offer the up and coming generation of Christian writers?
• What are three characteristics you look for in a particular church where you would be a member?
• What word of admonition and word of encouragement do pastors most need to hear?
• What word of admonition and word of encouragement do laypeople most need to hear?
• What is the greatest doctrinal threat facing the church today?
• What is the greatest ecclesiastical threat facing the church today?
• What is the greatest threat today regarding the believer’s spiritual maturity?
• In one sentence, what does it mean to be a Christian?
• What are some of your daily/weekly routines that you find helpful in your life and ministry?
• What would you say are the most important lessons you have learned in the last decade of your life as it pertains to your ministry?
• Looking back on your life if you could go back and do something differently what would it be?
• If there were one thing you would like the church to understand about your life and ministry what would it be?
• Considering that everyone leaves a legacy from his life, what do you want to be your legacy in the church after you go to be with the Lord?

Several times Keith mentions John Newton’s wonderful letter, known as “On Controversy.” If you have never read it, I’d encourage you to do so.