Ask the Author: Stephen W. Hiemstra
Answered Questions (10)
Stephen W. Hiemstra
Why did the crosses on the Berlin Wall change your worldview?
Stephen W. Hiemstra
In recent weeks, I have been much taken with the Dr. Martin series, but I have never read the underlying books.
As a young man, I was intrigued by the world of Horacio Hornblower by C.S. Forester.
As a young man, I was intrigued by the world of Horacio Hornblower by C.S. Forester.
Stephen W. Hiemstra
Anne Case and Deaton. 2020. Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Stephen W. Hiemstra
Woke up. Heard chain saw.
Stephen W. Hiemstra
If you want to become a writer, you need to write as much and as often as possible. To improve your technique, read books about writing issues every now and then.
Remember also that you write in context. My blog, for example, has an "online pastor" theme. I write about pastoral concerns and issues. My writing supports my ministry in person and extends my pastoral training. My writing persona arises out of this pastoral context. This context therefore defines the boundaries of who I am and who I am not as a writer.
Remember also that you write in context. My blog, for example, has an "online pastor" theme. I write about pastoral concerns and issues. My writing supports my ministry in person and extends my pastoral training. My writing persona arises out of this pastoral context. This context therefore defines the boundaries of who I am and who I am not as a writer.
Stephen W. Hiemstra
I write on a weekly schedule. Each day of the week has a particular goal. Knowing the goal of the day means that I do not worry about other things and can concentrate on what I am doing.
After so many years of professional writing and research, my problem is not concentrating; my problem is walking and chewing gum. I have become the absent minded professor.
After so many years of professional writing and research, my problem is not concentrating; my problem is walking and chewing gum. I have become the absent minded professor.
Stephen W. Hiemstra
I enjoy writing. It has become an important part of my ministry.
Stephen W. Hiemstra
Writer's block can arise because of exhaustion or fear. If the underlying problem is exhaustion, I take a break. If it is fear, I go to the Lord in prayer.
Stephen W. Hiemstra
I am working to release A Christian Guide to Spirituality as a Kindle EBook.
Stephen W. Hiemstra
In seminary I was active in the Pierce Fellowship at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC which focuses on spiritual formation and discipling. The Pierce Fellowship was my home away from home at school. Thus, spirituality was an important aspect of my seminary experience.
The specific inspiration for A Christian Guide to Spirituality arose when I wrote a short newsletter article on Christian spirituality. In the article, I examined the Lord's Prayer and asked the 4 questions from Peter Kreeft's book, The Philosophy of Jesus (South Bend: Saint Augustine's Press, 2007): Who is God? Who are we? What do we do? How do we know? This exercise proved fruitful and demonstrated the depth of reflection in the prayer.
In reading other books on spirituality, I came to realize that the focus of Christian spirituality was missing. In fact, when I took a class on worship, the focus was more on form than content. Then, in reading Simon Chan's book, Liturgical Theology: The Church as Worshiping Community (Downer's Grove: IVP Academic, 2006), I became aware that the traditional teaching of the church--The Apostle's Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments--were part of authentic worship.
My reflection on the Lord's Prayer was no accident, but rather part of the larger teaching and spirituality of the church. As I came to that realization, I saw the need to write my book.
The specific inspiration for A Christian Guide to Spirituality arose when I wrote a short newsletter article on Christian spirituality. In the article, I examined the Lord's Prayer and asked the 4 questions from Peter Kreeft's book, The Philosophy of Jesus (South Bend: Saint Augustine's Press, 2007): Who is God? Who are we? What do we do? How do we know? This exercise proved fruitful and demonstrated the depth of reflection in the prayer.
In reading other books on spirituality, I came to realize that the focus of Christian spirituality was missing. In fact, when I took a class on worship, the focus was more on form than content. Then, in reading Simon Chan's book, Liturgical Theology: The Church as Worshiping Community (Downer's Grove: IVP Academic, 2006), I became aware that the traditional teaching of the church--The Apostle's Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments--were part of authentic worship.
My reflection on the Lord's Prayer was no accident, but rather part of the larger teaching and spirituality of the church. As I came to that realization, I saw the need to write my book.
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