Theology Thursday: Prospective Book Help
I've decided to write a book. Actually, seeing as I've been working on a book for several years (obviously most of the work has been in the planning/musing department, not so much the writing part), I should state that I'm planning another book. Of the Christian variety. I'm hoping to base it on some of my Theology Thursday topics.
You see, since I started reading through the Bible every year, I've realized that many traditional Christian beliefs either have very little support in Scripture, or they're just one of several ways of interpreting Scripture (generally part of a larger interpretive model). I don't think most people are aware of this. I think that if I asked a series of questions about particular subjects, I could predict the answers, even though I know they're not the only ones.
Allow me an example: Where did Satan come from? To most people raised in the church, or even just remotely schooled in Christian lore, the answer is obvious. He was an angel, and he fell. But where does this come from? I've read all the scriptures that are used to support this idea, and while they could be used to state this, they're not at all clear. So how did this interpretation become accepted? And what are the other options for interpretation?
There are a number of issues in Christian Theology with more wiggle-room to them than most people probably think. I'd like to highlight a few, give some options, then give references for further reading.
To that end, I'd like some feedback.
First, I'm soliciting suggestions for topics. I've got a list already, but I don't want to take just my pet issues. Perhaps you've got one you'd like to see addressed? Lob it to me and I'll do the research and write it up.
Second, I need advice on the structure of the book. I realize that my Theology Thursday posts are sometimes a bit thick. I honestly try to keep them readable and interesting, but certain subjects just evade brevity and/or readability. I'd like to offer different levels of depth for each chapter. You know...diving board, ten meter platform, and cliff diving kind of levels (although maybe kiddie pool would be nice, too). I'm not stuck on pool themes, either, and I'd take suggestions on the terminology, too.
Third, does anyone even think this could be interesting? I ran it by a friend at work, and he expressed that he doesn't really care to question traditional interpretations of Scripture. (The impression I got was that he thinks it'd be too much work. Maybe my book would make it easy.) Is his view widespread?
The reason I want to write this book is that I think most American pew-dwellers can interpret the Bible for themselves, but they've been stuck in "let the pastor do it" for so long, they need a tool to help take the blinders off. (I'm not accusing pastors of brainwashing people, nor do I think they all do a poor job of exegesis. But wouldn't it be healthy for Christians to read and interpret Scripture for themselves?)
Of course, I'm not Dr. Heasley (that's my dad). I haven't gone to seminary. Maybe there's more breadth taught there than I think (I'm totally going to bug Tyler about his experience). But I'm not going to sign up for seminary just to get my book written. I'm fully capable of reading a ton on a bunch of topics. I'm not hoping to write a scholarly book. I'm hoping to read the scholars and distill it down for the average pew-dweller. I'm not really sure I can do it, but it'll be awesome to try.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Encouragement? Questions about my sanity and/or ability? Yawns? Anything?