Friday, May 04, 2007

Crash Test Dummies Wanted!

I have finished writing the first draft of my new book, Paul for the People of God (tentative title for IVP) and I am looking for three readers to read over it and to offer comments on how to make it "sing and sting" and achieve its purpose with greater effect. I am after a pastor/church minister, a lay-person, and a scholar. If you fit one of these categories then I will be happy to email the manuscript to you and we can converse from there. Best way to contact me is via email or leave a comment on the blog. First in first served. It is approx 95 pages or 55,000 words.
Here is an excerpt from the preface:
"This book is meant as an introduction to the Apostle Paul for lay-persons and undergraduate students and as a refresher for Pastors and Ministers. My objective is to get people excited about reading Paul’s letters, preaching Paul’s gospel, and living the Christian life the way that Paul thought it should be lived. My aim is to go deeper into Paul but without losing people in the mire of scholarly debates and complex technicalities. I want to show that what Paul has to say to the church today is both relevant and riveting. In short, this is Paul for the people of God."
Here's the TOC:
1. What is Paul?
2. A Funny Thing Happened on the Road to Damascus
3. The Stories behind the Story
4. Reading Somebody Else’s Mail
5. The Royal Announcement
6. The Crux of the Gospel
7. The Return of the King
8. One God, One Lord: Monotheism and the Messiah
9. Bourgeois Babes, Bossy Wives, and Bobby Haircuts
10. Gospelizing 101

14 comments:

Bob MacDonald said...

I qualify as a layman - you can get to me (if you think we would survive the interaction) at bobmacdonald at gx.ca

Matthew D. Montonini said...

Mike, I'm game if you need me.
Matt

Unknown said...

Hi Mike.. an aussie pastor in Perth, Western Australia. Graduate of Ridley College in Melb. Vic. I'll put my hand up for the pastor if it's still available ... dbooth@iinet.net.au

Josh McManaway said...

Ya know, since the book is aimed at undergraduates, I'd be happy to fulfill a 4th reader: the undergraduate.

thunderbeard said...

well, i guess i missed my chance. nuts. i was so stoked thinking i'd get to read it. i mean come on, just look at the chapter titles. please please please let me read it too.

sean@buzzgrinder.com

J. K. Walters said...

I realise that others have already volunteered, but if for some reason they don't work out, I would be more than willing to serve as a layman and undergraduate reader/critiquer.

I can be reached at josiah.k.walters@moody.edu.

Michael J. Gorman said...

Mike--
Sounds very interesting. If you still need a reader, I'm game. And if you still need a text, there's one called Apostle of the Crucified Lord that some have found useful.--Mike Gorman

hrobins said...

Hi! Brief intro--I've been helping Joel out with his dissertation and I'm in his Paul class next year at NPU. I noticed that you are lacking a female's perspective, so I'd like to offer to help out as a female undergraduate NON-Biblical Studies major. Please let me know if you are interested. Thanks!hrobins@northpark.edu

JosephMinich said...

Doh! I think I'm too late, but I'd give an arm and a leg to read it if the other two laymen gave the wrong email address and I "luck" out.

Joseph Minich
ReformedCatholic@Gmail.com

simon said...

Hi Mike, if you want an english Baptist author (three crossway Bible guides and a book on the church) to look over your mss, I'd love to - though I know I'm late. Always keen to relate Paul to both his context and mine, I'm an avid reader of quality Paul scholarship - Wright, Winter, Meeks, Hays, Gorman, Meggitt, Martin and Thiselton...
get me at simon@jonesfamily.org.uk

Deb said...

middle aged female undergraduate at bible college ... don't know too much which could be a help or a hindrance

Michael F. Bird said...

Everyone,
Sorry to say that I cannot send the ms off to everyone. But I am most grateful for those who have volounteered to do so. Many thanks and blessings to you all.

Groseys messages said...

Do we get credits as guinea pigs?
:)
my only opportunity to get my name in print

MhacLethCalvin said...

Hi,
I'm a Filipino Pastor and Seminary teacher here in the Philippines. I can give you feedbacks as to those who do not have English as their native language. I can also give you impressions as I read with Asian cultural lens.

Mhac
http://www.pbts.net.ph/mhacj