Rick Jory
Why I Started Writing:
My passion is teaching God's Word, and part of that ministry involves training pastors and church leaders in Vietnam. Early on, I realized there were very few Christian books available in the Vietnamese language. By writing instructional books, I could extend my teaching to students ten thousand miles away—at any time, day or night.
My love for writing began during seminary. I wrote a thesis for my master's degree, and dissertations for both of my doctorates. I found great joy in doing the research and writing up the results.
Authors Who Have Influenced Me:
Much of my reading focuses on theology, so I've been especially shaped by noted scholars such as D.A. Carson and Douglas Moo. Though less academic, the works of Chuck Missler (now deceased) have also been deeply engaging. I've found great value in learning from Messianic Jewish scholars—particularly Arnold Fruchtenbaum, whose insights have had a significant impact on me as a Gentile Christ-follower. Among more popular authors, classics like The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis have also been formative.
Books I Have Written:
- A Forty-Day Study of THE BIBLICAL STORY: The Story of Christ. Volume One: Preparing the Way
- A Forty-Day Study of THE BIBLICAL STORY: The Story of Christ.
Volume Two: The Arrival of the Christ
- A Forty-Day Study of JOHN's GOSPEL: Who Exactly is Jesus?
- A Forty-Day Study of THE BOOK OF HEBREWS: The Superiority of Christ
- A Forty-Day Study of PAUL'S LETTER TO THE ROMANS: What is a Christian?
- A Forty-Day Study of SIN, SALVATION AND SANCTIFICATION: Our Journey in Christ
- Lines of Evidence: How Recent Science infers God's Existence
- The Resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth
Four of the books have been translated into the Vietnamese language, and one book has also been translated into the Hmong tribal language.
What I'm Working On Now:
My latest book, The Church's Greatest Mistake: And How to Reclaim the Simplicity, Service, and Spirit of the Early Church is an offshoot of one of my dissertations. If we examine today's churches in America, they are far removed from what church was in the first three centuries. As I began thinking about this book, I had to research several topics, such as:
- What characterized the churches of the first three centuries?
- What changed?
- Why?
- Have the problems been addressed?
To supplement this, I also had to research where Christianity has had positive influences in such things as human rights, judicial systems, economic systems, art, music, architecture, and science. But I also had to show how its greatest mistake has led to it losing moral authority and its witness.
All of this was a worthwhile pursuit and writing this book has been one of my more enjoyable recent pursuits.
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