1. Why did you start a Twitter account?
A. Well, I started, initially, just for getting my memes page a Twitter account but after a while I just started using it as an anon account because I enjoyed the interaction; then Puritan Otaku’s Twitter was born.
2. What has been your favourite Twitter interaction so far?
At the risk of sounding like a stalker, I actually enjoy observing the interactions between some of the Anons and the accounts of prominent Theologians—some of those have been so priceless I keep screenshots of them.
3. Who is your favourite theologian, past and/or present?
For Past: John Calvin, cliché, but his breadth and depth of understanding, mixed with a genuine pastoral concern and almost devotional quality to even his harder writings, is an absolute marvel. It amazes me what he could have done with some Bible software! For Present: Sinclair Ferguson, his insights are penetrating and even though he is fantastic at applying the breadth of the Reformed tradition to a present day issue—both his writing and speaking betray a genuine warmth and piety which is rare these days. The Scottish accent helps, too, I suspect!
4. Is it easier to be who you really are as an Anon?
A. I feel like that could be the lead into a philosophical or sociological discussion, but, in my case, I would say that in a sense that is true. I’ve always had trouble in informal settings and am not one for small talk, so writing out my responses gives me the chance to better communicate my thoughts. And my Anon account name is more descriptive of what I’m about than an actual name, so in a sense it allows me to already have a kind of shorthand in terms of communication online, which makes things easier to get to the things I care about.
5. What is something that people would be surprised to know about you?
A. I once took a test online on whim about what type of “Goth” I was, I didn’t realize it aimed at women until I had finished a number of questions already, but continued on anyway. I won’t use the specific term it dubbed me, as it is one of those words that has a rather odd Semantic range in recent years, but my results indicated I was the sort who would enjoy tea and cake with friends, and various types of finery… If I subtract the bit about it implying I would wear dresses (Me being Male and all that), it was rather spot on!
6. What book are you reading?
A. As I’m the sort who starts multiple books I’ll just mention two, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: The First Forty Years, 1899-1939 by Iain H. Murray and a volume of the manga series Skip Beat! by Yoshiki Nakamura.
7. What’s your favourite movie or TV show?
A. An Anime film by the name Whisper of the Heart.
8. What is your pet peeve in church or with Christians?
A. While I am staunchly committed to defending the faith from heretical doctrine, and even standing up for denominational distinctness in the name of truth, I am grieved, to the point of exhaustion, over pettiness in disputes and a flat out sectarian spirit that delights in scoring points by attacking people or ministries. I’ve been guilty of such things in the past, I’m sure, so perhaps that’s why I’m rather sensitive about the issue. It’s hard not to fall into such things these days, I suppose, but it is regrettable to say the least to see it so often among brothers and sisters in Christ.
9. Why is it important to study theology?
A. So that one may hope to have a better understanding of God and how we are to live in light of who God is. Also, because everyone has a theology of sorts, the difference is whether it is examined or not. If it is not examined, it is a truly dangerous thing, simply put.
10. What’s your favorite Bible verse(s)?
A. I suppose a passage that has been pressed upon me recently would be Matthew 12:20-21,
“a bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory;
and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”
11. Is the church relevant? If yes, what would you consider the best way to reach the unchurched?
A. The church is relevant and can best reach the lost and dying, when it can say the same as Paul did in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5. The trouble is, most know only eloquent or forceful speakers at best, or good entertainers, few know those that preach, “in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” I think the best modern example of such a one that spoke like Paul described was D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, who is one I wish more would familiarize themselves with.
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