Daily Scroll blogger interview: Edgar de Blieck

Dr. Edgar de Blieck is the author of a blog that is humorously entitled “Sincere Ignorance and Conscientious Stupidity.” He is a youth worker living in Glasgow, Scotland. (FYI Americans: that makes him a Glaswegian in UK-speak.) He is, without doubt, the most succinct interviewee I have featured here so far (but brevity is the soul of wit, eh?) …

DS: What compelled you to start blogging?

No compulsion. Just fancied it.

DS: How would you describe the purpose of your blog?

To study the bible, and blog it, a wee bit at a time.

DS: What unique responsibilities do you think Christian bloggers have?

To mean it when they pray “Hallowed be thy name.”

DS: What are your own favorite blogs or news sites?

22 words, ASBOJesus, biblegateway.com, and the ESV bible online and my own one.

DS: How would you be spending your extra time, if you didn’t blog?

Curing cancer, and bringing about world peace. But I had to pick one of three…

Daily Scroll blogger interview: Cam Mckinnon

Cam Mckinnon is a blogger from Atlanta who works in reprographics, which he says “is related to printing building plans.” He authors a blog called Chamblee54.
 
Recently I left a comment on Abraham Piper’s blog, 22 Words, pledging to publish the answers that any blogger submitted to my interview questions. Cam, who is a reader of Piper’s blog (interestingly!), took me up on my offer. Though he is not a Christian, I am still happy to publish his interview, and I trust that all of my visitors will treat him with respect and courtesy.
 
DS: What compelled you to start blogging?

I had been thinking about having a blog, and had even collected material. It was more or less inevitable. Then, I saw something at a place called Fide-O.
 
They were discussing something or another, and I had a comment I wanted to make. To make a comment, you needed to sign up for a blogspot account. In effect, that is when my blog, Chamblee54, got started.
 
The comment was about the notion that the bible is “the word of G-d”. I am of the opinion that G-d does not write books. This concept elevates a book written by man into the position of being like G-d, to being “the word of G-d”. This is wrong on a number of levels, both philosophically, and from the view of the results of this belief. The first commandment says to have no other G-d before you, and you violate this common sense rule when you take a book written by man and proclaim it as the Word of G-d. Needless to say, the Fidomites did not agree.
 
After a few days of fun-filled debate, I went in the back yard to take some auto timer self portraits. Noting that the neighbors were not looking, I dropped my pants before one of the shots. I posted a picture of my “Better side”. The Fidomites were outraged, and I was banned from commenting.
 
I was on blogspot for about sixteen months, until I got a file in my computer that would not let me connect to google( the parent of blogspot) anymore. After many hours with tech reps in the Phillipines, I gave up. I started my present blog, http://chamblee54.wordpress.com/ soon after.

DS: How would you describe the purpose of your blog?

To feel good after I have posted. Hopefully, I can do this by bringing some enjoyment to those who visit. My current motto is “pretty pictures and ugly opinions” . Photo manipulation is one of my hobbies, and the pictures are an essential part of the blog. Often, the text is just words to put between the pictures.
 
The words are in colors. I use a medium sized font, which is easier to read. Black fonts are obsolete.

DS: What unique responsibilities do you think Christian bloggers have?

They don’t have any. A bit of humility is appropriate, and the realization that not everyone thinks they are so wonderful. Christians use a lot of arguments that sound good to each other, but do not appeal to those who disagree with them.
 
You should remember that the blogosphere is not a church. If you go to a church, it is rude to argue with the message. If you have open comments, you should not be shocked to find that not everyone buys what you say.

DS: What are your own favorite blogs or news sites?

Twentytwowords, JoemyGod, Puntabulous, APWBWGTTD (Atlanta people with blogs who get together to drink), Centurion, and whoever else has caught my eye that week. There are literally millions of blogs right now, and I can only really appreciate a handful. There are probably a lot that I might enjoy that I don’t get around to. Oh, and there are those with mp3 downloads. I enjoy collecting free music.

DS: How would you be spending your extra time, if you didn’t blog?

Reading, photo taking and editing, making faux stained glass pictures, cleaning the house, riding my bike, walking, enjoying the privilege of being alive in 21st century America.

Daily Scroll blogger interview: Frank Turk

Frank Turk is the author or co-author of several blogs, including … And His Ministers a Flame of Fire, GiMP University, DebateBlog: Ask the Calvinist, and Pyromaniacs.

DS: What compelled you to start blogging?

I am a compulsive writer.  And I read a lot of blogs and knew I could write at least that well.  My goal was 100 readers weekly, and my faithful few have blown that out of the water.

DS: How would you describe the purpose of your blog(s)?

Except for GiMP University, all of my blogs talk about the Christian faith.  GiMP University is a blog about the most incredible free software in the world.

DS: What unique responsibilities do you think Christian bloggers have?

Some reference to Scripture which shows that they are actual Christians.

Some evidence of a Christian walk, including church attendance and some kind of accountability.

DS: What are your own favorite blogs or news sites?

Drudge. TeamPyro. 22 Words. Blog & Mablog.

DS: How would you be spending your extra time, if you didn’t blog?

Heh.  I’d be journalling and surfing the web.

Daily Scroll blogger interview: Michael Yates

Michael authors a blog called The Call of God. According to his blogger profile, he is a married secondary Bible teacher in Kansas City, Kansas. He recently finished a B.A. in Biblical Studies at Evangel Seminary and is now a grad student at Southwestern Assemblies of God University.

DS: What compelled you to start blogging?

“I’ve always wanted to write regularly, and have often wished for a venue to share my ideas. I found this home in blogging and have been able to remain committed to it.”

DS: How would you describe the purpose of your blog(s)?

“My primary purpose is to share with other Christians some perspectives on Scripture, theology, and political responsibility.”

DS: What unique responsibilities do you think Christian bloggers have?

“Christians have a call to be salt and light, encouraging other Christians and spreading the message of truth by any and every means.”

DS: What are your own favorite blogs or news sites?

“I often read and enjoy the blogs of The Thirsty Theologian, The Campaign for Liberty, The Art of Manliness and the Action Institute.”

DS: How would you be spending your extra time, if you didn’t blog?

“Wasting time in less productive mediums.”

Daily Scroll blogger interview: Joe Blackmon

Joe is an accountant and auditor who pastored a church part-time before moving to his current home, in Tennessee. His blog is called the Hear God Speak-Bible Commentary.

DS: What compelled you to start blogging?

“I had pastored a church bi-vocationally for about 6 years before I moved to Tennessee to take a job as an auditor. When I moved here, I sent out resumes for pulpit supply and for bi-vocational church jobs. I wasn’t getting any calls for pulpit supply and the one church that considered calling me as a pastor voted to not call me. I still felt the call of God to teach His word. I thought starting a blog would give me that opportunity.”

DS: How would you describe the purpose of your blog?

“I link to other blog posts that I find interesting and write ocassional posts on theological topics. However, primarily I write bible exposition. I am currently expositing the book of Matthew and II Peter. I have also worked through a few Psalms and posted a few lessons I taught as a subsitute teacher in Sunday School.”

DS: What unique responsibilities do you think Christian bloggers have?

“I think first of all a Christian blogger should present a Christian worldview based on God’s word. it is important that we do not come to people with clever words of man’s wisdom as Paul said. I also think we need to demonstrate the love of Christ when dialogueing with those who disagree with us. We need to have the humility to realize that we can be wrong and the willingness to learn from people.”

DS: What are your own favorite blogs or news sites?

“Well, the Daily Scroll, of course! I also really like a blog by a PhD student at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Alan Knox, called The Assembling of the Church. I also really enjoy a blog by a gentleman named Steve Heartsill called All Toes in the Water. Finally, I am really digging a blog by two ministers from Australia called Cal.vini.st.”

DS: How would you be spending your extra time, if you didn’t blog?

“That’s a good question. I’d probably spend time writing books that no one would end up reading. Haa haa.”

Bloggers: email your answers and I’ll post them

Send responses to admin@dailyscroll.net:

• What compelled you to start blogging?
• How would you describe the purpose of your blog(s)?
• What unique responsibilities do you think Christian bloggers have?
• What are your own favorite blogs or news sites?
• How would you be spending your extra time, if you didn’t blog?

Daily Scroll blogger interview: Hiraeth’s Kim Shenberger

A quote from D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones introduces Kim’s site:

“It is difficult to define Hiraeth, but to me it means the consciousness of man being out of his home area and that which is dear to him. That is why it can be felt even among a host of peoples amidst nature’s beauty. . . like a Christian yearning for Heaven. . .”

DS: What compelled you to start blogging?

“My first exposure to blogging was about a year before I started blogging myself.  I came across the blog, Rebecca Writes, and was hooked.  After I had been reading there while, I put two and two together and realized that I knew Rebecca!  I had met Rebecca on a Christian discussion board several years before. Rebecca had had an incredible influence on my life and my walk with Christ at that time (still does!). I contacted her and we reconnected.  Eventually, with Rebecca’s encouragement, I started my own blog.”

DS: How would you describe the purpose of your blog?

“The name of my blog has a lot to do with its purpose.  Hiraeth means a deep longing for home; in my case a longing for heaven.  I hope that my blog communicates the day to day joy I experience in this present life in light of my love for Christ as well as a deep longing for the day when I am, along with all believers throughout the ages, glorified together with Christ.

Hiraeth also houses my three other blogs: Hiraeth Warehouse, where I post the lessons I write for my elementary aged Sunday school; Bookworm Bookmarks, a gallery of some of my calligraphy; and Vizslocity, my ‘dog blog’.”

DS: What unique responsibilities do you think Christian bloggers have?

“Oh, I think Christian bloggers have precisely the same responsibilities in blogging as they have for every other aspect of their lives–to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”

DS: What are your own favorite blogs or news sites?

“There are many blogs I enjoy tremendously, Rebecca Writes being at the top of the list. I read a lot of the ‘big boys’ like Team Pyro and Reformation Theology, but I’d like to highlight several favorites that I’d love to see receive an even wider audience; Godward Thoughts, While We Sojourn, Lisa Writes, and Lux Venit, to name a few.”

DS: How would you be spending your extra time, if you didn’t blog?

“That’s easy!  I’d be sitting at my drawing board working on a piece of calligraphy!  Or walking my dogs.  Or preparing a Sunday school lesson or Bible study lesson.  Or cooking, reading, or gardening.  I have many interests; I only wish I had more free time!”

Daily Scroll blogger interview: Tony Jones

[From Tony's site:] “Tony is the national coordinator of Emergent Village (www.emergentvillage.org), and a doctoral fellow in practical theology at Princeton Theological Seminary. He is the author of many books, including The New Christians: Dispatches from the Emergent Frontier and The Sacred Way: Spiritual Practices for Everyday Life, and he is a sought after speaker and consultant in the areas of emerging church, postmodernism, and Christian spirituality. Tony lives with his wife, Julie, and their three children in Edina, Minnesota.”

DS: What compelled you to start blogging?

“I was actually one of the last emergents to blog (and to Twitter, and to buy a Mac).  I was skeptical at first, but I ultimately became very fond of the type of communication that it allows.  It allows you to be quick, opinionated, and engaged with your readers.  I finally became a fan in 2006, when I was commuting to Princeton for PhD work and spending lots of lonely nights in an apartment.  Those are still some of my best posts.”

DS: How would you describe the purpose of your blog?

“It’s a forum to express my opinion on any number of things: the church, religion, politics, etc.  My friends say they also like the more personal posts, which I sometimes write.  My blogging hero is Andrew Sullivan.  He writes in the first person, and I feel that I have really come to know him through his blog.  But his blog isn’t about personal matters, it’s about politics.  So he’s really gifted in that way.”

DS: What unique responsibilities do you think Christian bloggers have?

“None.  ‘Christian bloggers’ and bloggers who happen to be Christian have the same responsibility as any bloggers: contribute to the depth and civility of our society; don’t detract from it.”

DS: What are your own favorite blogs or news sites?

“I subscribe to about 250 blogs via Google Reader.  I check GR about 5 times per day on weekdays, once or twice on weekends.  My favorites include Andrew Sullivan and Mark Ambinder for politics.  I like reading Mark Oestreicher — I think he ‘gets’ blogging; he writes two short posts a day.  Scot McKnight, of course, is a rock star, but I’ll admit that I don’t often follow the multi-post series he does on books.  I have Google feeds out there on all my book titles, so I see what people are writing about me.  And I read the New York Times opinion page online every day.”

DS: How would you be spending your extra time, if you didn’t blog?

“Well, I actually consider blogging to be part of my vocation, so I don’t consider it to take away from things I do in my extra time.  Outside of writing and speaking, I spend time with my kids, exercise everyday, and read as much as I can.”

Audio: Tony Jones interview

The author of The New Christians: Dispatches from the Emergent Frontier was recently interviewed on the Australian Broadcasting Network. Jones says of the interview:

“He was fantastic — thoughtful, knowledgable, curious.  Everything you want in a long-form interview.  Afterwards, he told me that I was “passionate” and “discursive.”  Looking back, I probably could have been less discursive!  But, oh well, I’ve always appreciated tangents.”

Hear it here.