Biblio-Blogger of the Week – Shaun Tabatt

A long time ago, a dear friend of mine told me to never ask others to do something that I wasn’t willing to do myself.  I figured I’d take his advice to heart and interview myself as the latest Biblio-Blogger of the week.  Happy reading!

1.  What is the name & URL of your blog?  Why’d you choose that?

The name of my blog is Bible Geek Gone Wild.  I chose the name for several reasons.  I wanted to use the word geek, because I’m a long-term computer geek and also consider myself a geek when it comes to Biblical & theological studies.  I enjoy talking at length about subjects that bore many of my family and friends to tears.  For me, writing in a blog felt like “going wild” at the time as I’ve historically been an introvert.  Although if you met me today, you’d never think I was all that introverted.  Originally my blog was hosted at www.shauntabatt.com.  The old blog is still there.  Eventually this url will be transitioned to a web site for Shaun Tabatt, hopeful author.  A few months ago, I moved the blog over to wordpress and a new url:  www.biblegeekgonewild.com.

2.  How’d you get into blogging?

Peter Edstrom, who is my best friend and long-time Mac evangelist had been pestering me for quite awhile to check out google reader and get into blogging.  Getting started was a little slow and there was period of nearly a year that my blog was dormant.  However, I got back into it about 2 years ago and have been going strong ever since.  Be sure to check out Peter’s blog:  Project Oriel.

3.  What do you want to be when you grow up?

That’s kind of a funny question for me.  Ever since my early days in college, I’ve had aspirations of being a professor at a college or seminary & an author.  Professionally, I’ve been working in information technology most of my adult life.  To be honest, I’ve been very successful in the information technology field.  I currently work as a Customer Support Manager for a software company in Minnesota.  No matter how successful I’ve been in IT, I still can’t kick the sense of calling and purpose I feel towards Biblical & theological studies.  For the time being, I’m an IT guy by day and a fledgling Bible scholar by night.

4.  Do you have a family?

I have a great family.  My wife & I have been married for nearly 11 years.  We now have 5 children and as young as we are, I imagine there will be a few more in our future.  I grew up as an only child, so my life as a father of 5 has been very educational.

5.  Is Bibilical & Theological studies a hobby or a career aspiration?

Can I answer, “All of the above.”?  My love for Biblical & theological studies is a big part of who I am and spills over into pretty much all other areas of my life, so I’ll stick with my original answer.

6.  Who’s your favorite author?  Recommended books?

Paul L. Maier – A Skeleton in God’s Closet, Pontius Pilate, More Than a Skeleton.

7.  What’s your favorite theological subject / topic?

I tend to be more of an Old Testament guy.  I’m fascinated with the tabernacle, especially with the ark of the covenant.  A few other topics of interest are the indwelling of the spirit and the ascension of a physical body.

8.  What’s your favorite Bible translation?

My favorite English translation is the ESV.  I do enjoy the NLT as my favorite dynamic equivalence.  I’m trying more and more to do more of my work and study in the original languages.

9.  What’s in your CD and/or MP3 player right now?

There are number of things on my ipod right now.  1.  Confessions of Saint Augustine, 2.  The Blood by Kevin Max, 3.  A few sermons by Mark Driscoll, 4.  Modern Heart Exhibit by Ill Harmonics.

10. Where did you go to school?  (undergraduate, graduate, etc.)

It could be easier to tell you where I didn’t go to school.  You might call me an itinerant student.  My bachelor’s degree (Management & Network Administration plus a 2nd major in Christian studies) is from Crown College in St. Bonifacius, MN.  I also attended Conconrdia University & Bethel University in MN before finishing up at Crown College.  I spent a little bit of time in the Biblical Exegesis program at Wheaton College Graduate School.  I’m currently working on my master’s degree in the virtual program offered through Reformed Theological Seminary.

11. What is something interesting that most of your readers don’t know about you?

I’m guessing that most of my readers didn’t know I had 5 children.  I love coffee.  Also, I’ve been a hardcore PC guy my entire life, but through Peter’s evangelism I’m ready to replace my trusty Dell with a macbook as the budget allows sometime in the next year or two.

12. What are some research / writing projects you’re interested in pursuing?

I’ve been working on quite a few ideas and outlines during the past few months.  I’d like to start some writing projects on scribal practices & scriptoriums, physical ascension, & the call to “be fruitful & multiply”.