Letters Along the Way: From a Senior Saint to a Junior Saint

by D.A. Carson, John D. Woodbridge, Mark Dever (Foreword)

A Novel of Letters from a Theologian to a Young Christian When student Tim Journeyman first wrote to family friend Dr. Paul Woodson, he didn’t know it would start a fifteen-year mentorship that would shape his life and Christian faith. Within their candid letters are words of real-world wisdom―from a “senior saint” to a “junior saint”―covering various areas of living, from the theological to the everyday.  Written as fictional correspondence between two men at different stages of life and faith, the novel  Letters Along the Way  provides important, biblical perspectives on topics such as apologetics, science and faith, inerrancy of the Bible, heart versus head faith, prayer, the changing face of evangelicalism, and trends emerging in American culture.

Genres: Christian Living, Fiction, Christian

384 pages, Paperback

Published April 5, 2022

About the author

Donald A. Carson is research professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. He has been at Trinity since 1978. Carson came to Trinity from the faculty of Northwest Baptist Theological Seminary in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he also served for two years as academic dean. He has served as assistant pastor and pastor and has done itinerant ministry in Canada and the United Kingdom. Carson received the Bachelor of Science in chemistry from McGill University, the Master of Divinity from Central Baptist Seminary in Toronto, and the Doctor of Philosophy in New Testament from the University of Cambridge. Carson is an active guest lecturer in academic and church settings around the world. He has written or edited about sixty books. He is a founding member and currently president of The Gospel Coalition. Carson and his wife, Joy, reside in Libertyville, Illinois. They have two adult children.

Reviews

[Ivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My endorsement: “As a college student, I found this book on the library shelves. It was neither assigned nor recommended, but reading it changed my life. While Letters Along the Way is not one of D. A. Carson and John Woodbridge’s best-known works, I have found it to be one of their most insightful and encouraging. Perhaps because it’s presented as a story, with real characters experiencing the vicissitudes of life, it covers issues as wide-ranging as inerrancy, assurance of salvation, liberation theology, building a library, evangelism, pastoral training, academia, prayer, pluralism, and death—not from a detached intellectual curiosity but with sensitivity to how they influence everyday life. Nearly thirty years after its publication, this new edition will seem dated in places—inevitably the issues of cultural and theological debate have changed even as letter-writing seems like an antiquarian pastime—but the thoughtful vision it presents of the Christian life remains remarkably fresh. Whether you are a college student exploring theology, new to pastoral ministry, or someone wrestling with the cultural issues of our day, this book may change your life too.”

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fictional series of letters from a seminary professor with a pastoral heart, to a newly converted Christian who struggles with sin, wrestles with questions on apologetics, studies at a seminary to become a pastor, spends some time at a liberal seminary, becomes a pastor, and struggles with practical questions of how best to serve and govern his church. Deals with important questions that most Christians deal with, and then with question that most seminary trained Christians deal with, and then with questions that most pastors deal with. All the while the book is more focused on how to think about issues than what to think about issues, and deals well and concicely with complex theological and practical problems, and is always clear, careful and warm in its approach. I've read other books that are presented as a series of fictional letters that seems to use the medium only as an excuse to make theological points, but this book gets the reader truly invested in the characters with its implied storyline. Often humerous and whimsical, always eloquent, relevant and pastoral, this is indeed an awesome book.

[Dominic Venuso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did a “re-read” of this on audiobook. This is like a comfort book for me, or at times, a discomfort book. Straightforward, encouraging, insightful, and challenging pastoral wisdom. Satan and his allies may seem so formidable at times, but “one little word can fell him.” Press on, ministers of the Lord!

The beginning section on assurance, especially, is a must read. Otherwise, throughout there are various bits of encouragement, doctrinal insight, and pastoral wisdom.

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t believe I haven’t read this before now. A wonderful book for beginning seminarians to read with Helmut Thielicke’s A Little Exercise for Young Theologians and B. B. Warfield’s The Religious Life of Theological Students.

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Would make for a fantastic graduation gift.

Imagine that your grandpa sent you letters about various important topics. This book is that.

Or you could view this book as advice from a biblical perspective.

Age 16+

[Nicholas Potts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! What a creative way to discuss a plethora of topics by giving it a timeline through someone’s life. Very, good. Loved the questions discussed and the answers given in the “letters” as well.

[Jared Segerstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the wide range of topics discussed in this particular format. The biographical framework made the discussion feel less academic and more pastoral.

[Andy Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book of fictional letters written between a spiritual father and son (à la Paul & Timothy)

Motivated to build real relationships with elder churchmen after reading this book

[Pig Rieke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I only listened to this one on Hoopla.

In honesty, this is one of the hardest books I’ve ever had to rate because it is such an unusual book. It is a historical fiction background narrative that serves as the skeletal structure of a series of 40+ letters between an older and younger christian set in mostly 1980s America. The fictional background narrative, probably 5% of the book, sets up the letters which deals with a vast array of subject matters. The range includes contents as wide as assurance of salvation, the fall of the Berlin Wall, how to construct a library, and aids. For those who take up the book, they will get a glimpse into evangelical thought in the 1980s, church history, world affairs, and more matters of perpetual relevance.

[nate]

Modeled in some ways after Lewis's The Screwtape Letters, Carson and Woodbridge created a fictional series of letters from an older Christian to a younger one. I originally picked this up to see if it would be good to give to new Christian believers. While I don't think it's well suited for that, I wholly enjoyed it for other reasons. Having been a pastor now myself for 15 years, I was drawn more to the later chapters of the book. While some of the topics addressed are clearly dated (this was originally written in the 1980s), I was intrigued to see how many issues that seem "new" today were present several decades ago. I'm glad I picked this up and would encourage anyone in pastoral ministry (or considering it) to give this a read.

[curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite a fantastic read. The epistolary format of the novel works so well, and serves both to make the characters feel as real as people I love and speak to every day, and to frame discussion of highly technical topics in an immensely practical way. This book is a master course in sound theology wedded to daily living. At first, the very dated nature of much of this book (originally penned some thirty years ago) was a bit off-putting, but in the end it provided in pretty stark relief an illustration of just how timeless most of these issues really are. Highly recommended, especially for anyone considering pastoral ministry.

[Simon Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant set of fictional letters tracking the relationship of a spiritual Father (Paul Woodhouse) to his spiritual Son (Tim Journeyman). Many topics are touched on: the inerrancy of scripture, fighting sexual sin, navigating seminary, romantic relationships with non-Christians, infertility, pastoring others with HIV, as well as the New Perspective on Paul. These letters are heart warming and exemplify theological and personal counsel in the context of a relationship that spans decades. The last letter is a tear-jerker! Highly recommend.

[Collin Scribner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Close to a 4.5 in my mind. I especially enjoyed the chapter on advice for building a theological library as I related to some of Journeyman's impulses. Even though its content was a little dated (since it was first published some 30 years ago) this book is definitely underrated. I do think it's best suited for the young seminarian or aspiring pastor, as it surely reflects a lot of Carson's and Woodbridge's journey in evangelical academia. If nothing else, just listening to this made me a better writer. Maybe I was born too late, but letters are a lost art.

[Justin Genus · Rating 3 out of 5]

6.5/10. If you want an intro to Carson’s thought, this not a bad place to start. I’ll come back to his “letters” on prayer, hermeneutics, ministry, and personal devotion for sure (those sections are 8.5-10/10). I starred 17/49 letters for future reference mostly on these subjects. The politics and apologetics material is noticeably dated, though it was likely insightful when the book was published. Some will find the overall concept distracting, as the “storyline” is often window dressing. I’d recommend this for men thinking about seminary (before, during, or after).

[Saolomon Mouacheupao · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has to be super under rated. As a young minister in my 1st year of ministry, the journey of the younger man resonates so much with my experience. There’s such rich wisdom from Carson and Woodbridge to a young man in the ministry like me. Very practical helps such as how to choose a seminary, how to build a library, or how to handle discouragements in the ministry. Couldn’t recommend it more.

[Myles Southern · Rating 4 out of 5]

I throughly enjoyed listening to this. Really interesting and well thought out writing project, and I don’t know of any other fictional guide on practical discipleship through writing.

Woodson is patient, intellectual, thoughtful, and caring. It was a joy to follow along Journeyman’s path. The context between the two parties gives such great context for insight into a wide array of subject.

[Katey Magill · Rating 3 out of 5]

The authors are definitely not fiction writers, but there were some wise pastoral sections- especially in the second half. Probably more helpful for a young pastor. It was also interesting from a church history perspective because it addressed some of the issues in evangelicalism in the second half of the 20th century.

[Steven Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for some perspective. It's fiction, but such a practical book of fiction as though you're let in on correspondence between two brothers and learning through their conversations. Such an effective teaching mechanism.

[Austin Kloewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great concept. Love the pastoral wisdom, less engaged for theological debates.

[Andrew Krom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book!

[K.C. Ellson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an encouragement this book was. I felt like I was being discipled by Dr. Woodson through the story.

[Bruno Morato · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll miss this one. A lot. 🥹🥲

[Joshua Fang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exellent book that motivated me to pursue fulltime ministry.

[Zach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published by Crossway in 1993, and re-released in partnership with The Gospel Coalition in 2022, the book chronicles the relationship between fictitious characters Paul Woodson and Tim Journeyman. The novel is narrated by Tim, who is a younger believer and aspiring pastor. It records the span of Tim’s relationship with Paul, an older believer and seminary professor, over the span of about a decade. Each chapter is set up by Tim, who provides the background and topic of conversation. The bulk of each chapter is then a letter from Paul providing his guidance and feedback. The conversation covers a wide range topics including: conversion, friendships, ministry, seminary, pastoral calling, guilt over past sins, marriage, theology, curating a personal library, and much more.

Read the full review here: http://readingfortheglory.com/2022/08...

[Nicole Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book and there were so many points at which I wished that I had known about this work when I was a younger, more immature Christian - hungry for deeper reformed thought and at a place where it was hard for me to find it. I think if I had read it then, it would have saved me a few frustrated years in which I spent countless hours with futile, weak, and immature books that gave me more confusion that clarity about my own faith. However, in God's providence I have read it now and count it as a blessing that I have at this time.

I first learned about this book while listening to a podcast with Carson as he described the process for writing this book and the hope he had for the reader. With that introduction, I set out with a little knowledge of what to expect between the pages, which helped.

This book is set to 49 letters, written from the senior saint, a professor at Trinity to a younger saint, a new believer who eventually becomes a pastor. There are many themes discussed in this book and I thought it was well organized, starting from Christian basics and tenements to more detailed instruction on specific cultural issues or pastoral/ministry concerns. I was reminded that as much as we perceive things to be new, much still remains the same. So, although this book might read as dated, dealing with things that primarily happened throughout the 80s, I found much of it helpful as we are still dealing with the same topics, some to a lesser and others to a greater extent.

As a wife, whose husband has been in seminary, I found it very helpful to understand more of the challenges that occur when men are found in the throes of academic research and study with little time to spare. But I think this is a book that can provide helpful insights to anyone in the church, especially those in leadership positions. There were many chapters in which I had to put the book down and reflect (and repent!) of my own heart while simultaneously reflecting the truth and goodness of God.

I would honestly give this a 4.5 stars, just because of the stage of my own life and what chapters pertained to that specifically. However, if I knew of any men who were thinking of going into ministry or just starting out, I would not hesitate to buy them this book (and encourage their wife to read it too!).

[Terri Koh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot recommend this book enough. The deeply pastoral character in its language sets it apart from many other books on theology and Christian living, it does not mince its words on difficult topics of faith and following Christ’s way but it is also immensely empathetic to the modern day Christian’s challenge. The letters have edified, exhorted and encouraged me to consider more thoughtfully that which I believe, and beckons me to read and re-read it again.