Welcome to the next installment of Biblio-blogger of the Week. This time around we’ll get to know book review blogger extraordinaire Terry Delaney.
1. What is the name & URL of your blog? Why’d you choose that?
The name of my website is Christian Book Notes. It can be found at ChristianBookNotes.com. That name was decided upon because Discerning Reader was already taken. Seriously, though, I realized from the outset of this particular website that I would not be able to keep up with a discernment style review and, quite honestly, did not want to make a name for myself by being super critical of everyone else. I decided shorter reviews with a qualified reason as to why someone should by the book being reviewed would much more feasible in the long run.
2. How’d you get into blogging?
I started two blogs back in 2007 both of which are no longer available. The first one was more theologically minded and was called Deep Thoughts from a Shallow Mind. The second one was started as an evangelistic tool with unbelieving family and friends in mind and was called The Diary of a Seminary Student. I wound up writing on that blog for about two years before I shut it down. The first year or so has since been published in a book by Theocentric Publishing in 2011. And no, I have not finished seminary.
3. What do you want to be when you grow up?
Now that I am about to be 34, I am not sure how to answer this. I am currently not doing anything I thought I would be doing at this time. If I have to answer, however, I would have to say that I want to be content in all things.
4. Do you have a family?
Yes, I have been married to my wonderful bride, Krista, since 27 April 2002. We have been blessed with five wonderful children: Austin (2004), Isaac (2006), Nathanael (2008), Sarah (2009), and Carolyn (2010). Due to some major complications my wife had with pregnancies three and four, we are no longer able (we think!) to have biological children and are praying about adoption though that door does not appear to be open at this time, either.
5. Is Bibilical & Theological studies a hobby or a career aspiration?
It started as a hobby because I did not know anything when I came to Christ. While I do not like the phrase “career aspiration” it is what I want to do the rest of my life in some capacity. I am an ordained pastor of the gospel in the Southern Baptist Convention and am currently looking at planting a church in the inner city of Alorton, IL (think E. St. Louis).
6. Who’s your favorite author? Recommended books?
My favorite author is really not an author. He never wrote a book though he has dozens in print. Martyn Lloyd-Jones has had arguably the most influence on my life and ministry. As for recommended books, I would offer in no particular order:
- Preaching and Preachers by Lloyd-Jones
- Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney, and no, he is not into mystical or speculative spirituality!!!!!
- Respectable Sins and The Bookends of the Christian Life by Jerry Bridges
- Knowing God and The Quest for Godliness by J.I. Packer
- Heaven by Randy Alcorn
- George Muller: Delighted in God by Roger Steer
- The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes
(OK, I could literally list another three dozen at this point)
7. What’s your favorite theological subject / topic?
While I enjoy studying theology (both systematic and biblical), I have found that I tend to drift toward more practical theology. I would say at this point, studying the piety of Reformers and the Puritans have been a great aid to my own understanding of what it means to walk in holiness.
8. What’s your favorite Bible translation?
My favorite Bible translation is the English Standard Version simply because it came out around the time I was saved and was the first Bible I legitimately read from cover to cover. When I study, I tend to use multiple translations.
9. What’s in your CD and/or MP3 player right now?
In my car, I have The Listener’s Bible (NIV) by Max McLean. On my mp3 I have whatever current audiobook I am listening to in order to review it for AudioFile Magazine or a Martyn Lloyd-Jones sermon.
10. Where did you go to school? (undergraduate, graduate, etc.)
Undergraduate: SIUE, SWIC, SIUE, MoBap. Explanation: I started at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville and quit to join the Army. Because I never officially dropped, I flunked out. When I finished my contract with the Army, I attended Southwestern Illinois College, a local junior college in order to be able to get back into SIUE. While at SWIC, I was saved, and since I had all of this college money from the Army, I decided to study philosophy when I returned to SIUE. Once I returned there, I came down with a mysterious illness which was later diagnosed as Crohn’s Disease. I ended up flunking out for a second time. I landed at Missouri Baptist University where I finally graduated, at the age of 29, with a Bachelor of Science in Religion.
Graduate: I have studied at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where my goal, though not my priority, is to finish before I die.
11. What is something interesting that most of your readers don’t know about you?
I work at a funeral home where I do everything but embalm.
12. What are some research / writing projects you’re interested in pursuing?
I have had one book published already (see above) and have done some editing work and helps for Randy Alcorn’s latest edition of his booklet entitled Sexual Temptation and Trevin Wax’s first book, Holy Subversion.
I am currently co-writing a book on Scripture Memorization (title yet to be determined) that will be published by BorderStone Press. I was also asked to write a series of books but at this time, I am keeping that idea close to myself until such time that I begin writing it.
A couple other thoughts include death and the urgency of the gospel and the seriousness of sexual immorality.
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