Last night I attended a seminar and book release of Dr. Fred Sanders latest book “The Deep Things of God“. The only other book I had read from Sanders was the one he co-edited with Klaus Issler “Jesus in Trinitarian Perspective” which is really good. I was also able to have him sign and dedicate a book to the Near Emmaus readers, and he did mention that he was familiar with our blog so that was very cool. Overall the seminar was great with an amazing turn out, I estimated about 130-150 people who attended last night. I wish I had known they were going to have a Q&A session with the panel, I would have prepared better and solicited some questions from our readers, my apologies.
A few things I didn’t know about Sanders. First off he is really young (top left), the guy looks like he is my age. If Theopedia is correct he was born in 1968, which makes him two years younger than me. When you are my age and you have Ph.D you are young. When you are my age and you are trying to finish your B.Th you are old, it’s all a matter of perspective 😉
Second thing I learned about Sanders is that he grew up in a Pentecostal church, Foursquare to be exact. This is always great news for me as I also grew up Pentecostal and I’m always glad to see those with similar backgrounds engaged in theological matters, and especially at the academic level.
Finally, the guy is really funny. He has a great sense of humor, like this funny line he said last night “The Trinity: try to understand it and you’ll lose your mind; try to deny it and you’ll lose your soul” everyone was laughing. He also writes a theological comic book, which makes sense considering how funny he was.
He loves to blog so stop by and check out his blog, and don’t forget to participate in our book give away of “The Deep Things Of God”
the archives near Emmaus 
I plan to buy this book and read. I saw it in Mardel’s the other day but went with The Closing of the Western Mind by Freeman. I have his review of Oneness Pentecostalism as well.
Sanders is really funny. He debated Anthony Buzzard a few years back and had me cracking up the whole time. The audio of that debate and the transcript are available online somewhere.
I have not yet read it so I can’t comment on it much, but scanned through it last night and it looks good. Sanders did mention that it is not intended as a Trinitrain apologetic work, but rather an all encompassing evangelical perspective on the Trinity. For a more through work on the Trinity he recommends Robert Letham’s book “The Holy Trinity”
I suspect it will be good as he spent much of his life contemplating on the Trinity.
Nick, Sanders is so freaking funny. Someone asked a questions about one of his footnotes, then he talked really, really quiet in this tiny voice and said “Let me answer you in point .6 font…” I couldn’t stop laughing.
is he still Foursquare or has he switched to something else?
Brian, as best as I can tell he is attending a Free Evangelical church. He also mentioned about being a part of the Methodist church growing up for a while.
Why does the picture of the book have four smiling people as well? 🙂
Brian, those were the other guest speakers that evening. LOL
Robert,
Yes, I echo everyone else enjoyment of Dr. Sanders humor. He gave a paper on the progress of revelation relating to the Trinity at ETS last year, there were some great lines in it and was one of the highlights of the week for me.
Nick,
If you find that audio of his debate, let me know, I would love to hear it.
Daniel: You can find it here. Just scroll down.
Daniel, it was fun to hear him. I have asked him he would be willing to do an interview since we are neighbors. Told him we would plug his book and that we get millions of readers at our blog (not). Just waiting to hear back from him.
Thanks Nick I will check it out!