Writing

“A major publisher recently pulled a new novel for a novel reason: a strong suspicion that the book was at least partially written by a generative artificial intelligence app. This is likely to become an increasingly common pattern in the world of trade publishing, and new research suggests AI-generated writing is widely infiltrating American newspapers.” - CToday

“The hot new theory online is that reading is kaput…. We are careening toward a post-literate society, where myth, intuition, and emotion replace logic, evidence, and science. Nobody needs to bomb us back to the Stone Age; we have decided to walk there ourselves. I am skeptical of this thesis.” - Persuasion

“…make no mistake, brother pastor, your writing is important. It is one of the means by which God is shepherding your local church. Therefore, you should think of your writing as a craft worth cultivating.” - 9 Marks

“I think I’d better start with what in the world styling your documents even is. And the way to start is to show you a document that has not been styled.” - Ward on Words

“I was reminded of theologian Jonathan Tran’s reflections on why college matters: it is a sacred time, set apart for learning, a time suspended from ‘real life’ in a meaningful way. Or, at least, it should be. When done well, it forms hearts, minds, and souls for a lifetime of service and meaningful work. This is what AI now threatens.” - Providence

“The 2025 issue contains ten peer-reviewed articles and 12 pages of book reviews. This year’s journal is dedicated to Dr. R. Bruce Compton, who will retire this month after 41 years of faithful service as a professor at DBTS.” - DBTS

“…crafting sentences that flow smoothly and are readable is becoming increasingly rare. I often read news articles from major outlets that are filled with typographical errors….I mention this not to throw stones but to encourage you to personally combat this tide of dehumanization. Read books. Write. Sharpen your craft if you are a pastor.” - Richard Bargas

“the journalistic voice and sensibility that one once found in newspapaers and small magazines is increasingly difficult to find today because the jobs that sustained them are largely disappearing.” - Mere Orthodoxy

Pathway to Pastoral Ministry: First Steps for Young Men is available and The Healthy Pastor: Stewarding Your Personal Life for Long-Term Ministry is expected in early 2025. - Dean Taylor