Yes, I am so excited to have my dad on my blog today!!! We have been on this publication journey together and got our first contracts within weeks of each other. His non-fiction book This Is Love released in October through Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing. Before becoming an author, he was a pastor in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church for almost 40 years.
- What led you to want to write a book?
In counseling people as a pastor I’ve found that not many know what true love is like. They have gotten their ideas about love from the world around them. The book is designed, in a user-friendly way, to provide an understanding of divine love as the pattern for the kind of love Christians are directed to imitate in Ephesians 5:1-2.
- What sets your book apart from all of the others out there about love?
It is unique in that it looks at God’s love from the perspective of the revelation of divine love in history. I begin with a look at the love that exists among the three persons of the Trinity and trace the story of that love as it has been made known in the Lord’s work of creation and redemption. I know of no other book that deals with God’s love in such a comprehensive way.
- Did your years of work as a pastor help you in the writing of the book?
Yes. Not only in my counseling but also in my study of the Bible as I prepared my sermons and Bible studies for various groups.
4. What was the biggest challenge in the writing process?
Writing the text after doing the research.
5, What was the biggest help in the writing process?
By grace of God being able to connect with the Scriptures. And I must not forget the support of my family and friends.
6. What project are you working on now?
While my book, This Is Love, seeks to provide a definition of godly love, I am now working on a companion book to serve as a guide to the practice of this godly love by Christians who now live in this present post-resurrection world.
7. When you aren’t writing, what do you enjoy doing?
Being with my family or reading British mysteries.
Thanks, Dad!
His book is so well written (I know you think I’m biased, but it really is!) and is an easy read for any layperson. It is very conversational in style. You don’t have to be “theological” to understand and to draw so much benefit from this book. Dr. John Frame, Dr. David VanDrunen and Dr. William Edgar all endorsed this book. It’s great for personal reading, family devotions, and Sunday school classes.
It sounds like a good book to have. Congratulations Neil Tolsma.
Diana
I will be ordering this book for our church library.
I didn’t know Reverend Tolsma likes British mysteries. Me too! I wonder what his favorites are.
Susan Karsten