Letters Along the Way: A Novel of the Christian Life

by D.A. Carson, John D. Woodbridge

For anyone who likes to read other people's mail, here is an intriguing batch of letters from a "senior saint to a junior saint." The new believer will find invaluable help in taking those early steps of faith. Others will find a wealth of information on topics such as apologetics, science and faith, inerrancy, heart versus head faith, prayer, the changing face of evangelicalism, and trends emerging in American culture―all from a unique personal perspective.

Genres: Fiction, Christian, Theology, Christianity

288 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 1993

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]

One book I read in college was neither assigned nor recommended, but I came across it 'randomly' in the library and it changed my life. D.A. Carson and John Woodbridge wrote a novel which presents a fictional series of letters spanning a few decades from a older seminary professor ("Paul Woodson") to a young new believer ("Timothy Journeyman").

I cannot say enough good things about this book. While it's not one of Carson's best known works, I have found it to be one of his most helpful and encouraging, covering issues as wide-ranging as inerrancy, building a library, pastoral time management, academia, prayer, and pluralism. Every seminary student should read this!

Through the The Gospel Coalition wesbite, Carson/Woodbridge have made his book available for free as a PDF: http://bit.ly/9tzULY

If interested, a friend of mine created a subject index of the book: http://bit.ly/YTTDxt

[Syd Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so good! So refreshing! It’s letters over years of ministry from an older saint to a younger saint. What an encouragement to be the body of Christ to each other.

[Hannah Grace Staton (on hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The form in which this book was written (an epistolary novel) was what saved the day for me. The vocabulary used is somewhat sophisticated and the material discussed is rather weighty, but the letter form makes all that more palatable by keeping the chapters mercifully short and giving the book a warm and personal tone.

As hinted at in the title, Letters Along the Way is written as a compilation of letters from a senior saint to a junior saint. It offers reflections on a vast array of topics, some of which interested me immensely and others not in the slightest. In conclusion, theology books, including this one, aren't my cup of tea; however, this book contains helpful counsel, useful advice, and food for thought.

[Charles Musil · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read from Carson and Woodbridge as they pose as a seminary professor writing letters to a “son” in the faith. Especially helpful are the chapters that relate to pastoral ministry, particular theological issues, and how to pursue Christ devotionally in the midst of a busy ministry.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent and winsome way of describing and exploring nurturing the faith and growth in discipleship of a Christian by another and offers profound insight into a pattern of mentoring many would benefit from whichever role one undertakes...

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this book in seminary 20 years ago. I decided to pull it from the shelf again. I love the "Paul and Timothy" relationship here. When I first read it, I got lost and felt it was deep. I've matured in my faith and felt it made much more sense this time around.

[Erik Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wrestled with who this book was for… once I settled on the seminarian or young pastor, then I could appreciate it much more for what it is. Too heady for the young Christian - but a clever vehicle for introducing theological thinking and pastoral application.

[Steven Rossi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved especially the first handful of chapters. So much wisdom here.

[Paul Herriott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written three decades ago, yet still so full of relevant insight on Christian culture and wisdom. The novelty of letter writing made it fun for the imagination in our email and text world.

[Rhys Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are dated, the theology is not. What a wonderful example of discipleship.

[Catriona M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the chapters about Tim's early faith journey the best in this book. Particularly the chapter on assurance. Some of the church history and very heady theological chapters I don't feel like I took a ton from. I also enjoyed reading about Tim's first job and struggles as a new pastor-gave insight in how to pray for pastors. The social issues, particularly about HIV/AIDS, but on some other issues as well, the contemporary view has evolved. I found it interesting to learn how some of the issues were talked about 40 year ago.

[pchan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my personal favorites in Carson's tremendous collection of published texts. Co-authored with John Woodbridge. It's a fictional series of letters from a "Paul Woodson" to a young new believer "Timothy Journeyman." This is an obvious allusion to the apostle Paul's intimate father-son and discipler-disciple relationship with Timothy, as we see in the NT (e.g. Acts, 1 & 2 Timothy). Timothy Journeyman becomes a Christian and writes to Paul Woodson, a seminary professor, about what it all means. The rest of the letters talk at length about various issues that crop up in the life and walk of a Christian seeking to grow and bear good fruit for the Lord Jesus Christ. Great book.

However, a small flaw in this book is a critique Jeremy Pierce pointed out here:

http://parablemania.ektopos.com/archi...

[Jacqui · Rating 2 out of 5]

It seems that D A Carson's theology has evolved since this book was written in the 1980's. I prefer his thinking now as it is more Law/Gospel centered. So didn't agree with much of the first section which explored basics of Christianity with a law/gospel/law approach. And much of the second section explored philosophical issues current to the 80's and then becoming a pastor. Both not that relevant to me.

[Jeff Boettcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. Some of the anecdotes were dated and a few of the letters did not fit the flow of that book at all. However, there are a lot of helpful insights to be gleaned, especially for newer believers and young men considering ministry.

[Vaclav · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was so encouraging...i read it on my trip in US a few years ago. these were very thought provoking and enlightening letters, especially for those who are called to ministry!