Pastor Writer: Conversations on Reading, Writing, and the Christian Life

If you are familiar with the gospel of Mark or have paid close attention to your bible’s footnotes, you know there are major questions about how Mark intended to end his gospel. The gospel of Mark ends with chapter 16, and most Bible's include this strange note between verses eight and nine. The ESV puts it, “Some Of The Earliest Manuscripts Do Not Include 16:9–20.”I think Mark was making a literary move. I think Mark intended for his gospel to conclude with an open ending. I think he had good reasons for it.

Adam Lewis Greene is the designer behind the top Kickstarter Bibliotheca campaign to redesign a reader-friendly version of the Bible.

David Rawlings joins me to talk about his transition from copywriting and non-fiction to novels. David just released his debut novel, The Baggage Handler, and is under contract with Thomas Nelson for two more. David's books are modern parables that help readers discover Christ's kingdom through story.We discuss making the transition to fiction and how studying fiction can impact non-fiction writers. There is a lot of helpful information for both fiction and non-fiction writers and encouragement for writers trying to figure out what to do with that novel idea.

Pierce Taylor Hibbs serves as the Associate Director of the Theological English Department at Westminster Theological Seminary. He is the author of "The Speaking Trinity and His Worded World: Why Language Is at the Center of Everything" and "Finding God in the Ordinary."At the core of our conversation is the question, is there such a thing as Christian writing? Are there qualities that Christian writers should possess. 

Glenna is a pastor's wife, a mom to two boys, a musician, and writer. She released her first solo album, Hold Me fast, in 2017. You can find her music on Spotify and iTunes. Her first book, The Promise is His Presence: Why God is Always Enough, releases this summer with P & R Publishing. And she already has another book, Everyday Faithfulness, set to release from Crossway in 2020.

I enjoy sharing lessons I'm learning from my writing. This episode addresses my attempts at humor and the disturbing discovery those jokes have lead me to.

David Mathis is executive editor for desiringGod.org and pastor at Cities Church in Minneapolis/St. Paul. He is the author of Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines.

Dan Herod joins me to talk about his deepest sufferings and how they have shaped his story and ministry. Pick up his book, Suffer Well: Walking Victoriously Through Your Valleys.

John serves as pastor of Cornerstone Church in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the author of Prayer: How Praying Together Shapes the Church.

Matt Perman has taken up the task of reshaping productivity with a commitment to Gospel centrality. His advice is practical and deeply theological.