5/24/13

5 Questions With Ted Kluck

Welcome to 5 Questions With.....

It's been awhile but I'm back with another interview.

Today's guest is Ted Kluck.

From his website: Ted Kluck is the author of several books, on topics ranging from Mike Tyson to the Emergent Church. Both Why We’re Not Emergent and Why We Love the Church (with Kevin DeYoung) won Christianity Today Book of the Year awards, and Paper Tiger: One Athlete’s Journey to the Underbelly of Pro Football won a Michigan Notable Book award in 2008. His work has also appeared in ESPN the Magazine and Christianity Today.

Ted has played professional indoor football, coached high school football, trained as a professional wrestler, served as a missionary, and taught writing courses at the college level. He lives in Grand Ledge, MI with his wife Kristin and sons Tristan and Maxim. He once owned a used Volvo and currently has a boxing ring in his basement.

His latest book is “Finding God In The Dark” from Bethany House.  I recently reviewed his book here: Finding God In The Dark

OK, let's get to it:

1. How did Finding God In The Dark come about?

In general, it came about as a result of spending lots of time in the spiritual, metaphorical dark (as opposed to the actual dark).  I'm, prone to bouts of anxiety, darkness and depression anyway, but in the book I wrote about some specific circumstances - infertility, a failed adoption, career struggles - that led to a long, pervasive feeling of "darkness."  At some point I met my co-author Ronnie Martin ( a former rock star), we became fast friends (because, I think, we understood this propensity in each other...and because we like the same movies) and the idea of the book was discussed.  

2. Why, in your opinion, do we struggle to believe God is good?

Because life sometimes, or even often, sucks.  Because other Christians sometimes, or even often, disappoint us.  The problem with living in a fallen world that is stained by sin, is that each day we're surrounded by a lot of dark circumstances.  In this, we're tempted to say things like, "How can a God who is good allow _________?"  Fill in the blank with your difficult circumstances.  Sometimes these circumstances are a direct result of our own sin, sometimes they're spiritual attack, and sometimes they're just where God wants us at the time to sanctify us.  But in any case, they're still hard. 
 
3. You call Psalm 51 a "blueprint for confession."  Can you explain what you mean by that?

This is a really comforting passage for me, as it is for a lot of people.  David, who was both "a man after God's own heart" and also responsible for a big time Sin-a-Palooza (adultery and murder), gives us an amazing example of what humble confession looks like.  He acknowledged in the passage that he has sinned against God, and that he desperately desires a clean heart.  He then asks God to restore his joy...which is an amazing, counter-intuitive, but beautiful thing for those of us who have ever felt guilty (which is everyone).  

4.
What would you say is the key to finding God in the dark? 

The easy, Sunday School answer is "Jesus."  Come to think of it, that's actually the real answer.  I could drone on and pontificate about humility (important), confession (important) and repentance (important) and some more about community (important) and God's Word (paramount), but that's what the book is for (droning on).

5. What do you hope the readers take away from the book?

First, I hope people who are struggling feel less alone.  Ironically, churches can feel pretty isolating when you're hurting.  I think the enemy uses this...as I've often felt, in church, like everyone else is absolutely excelling in life while I'm circling the drain and am a complete spiritual, personal, and financial failure.  This isn't true.  But more importantly, regardless of circumstances, I hope the book encourages people to find their hope and peace in the cross of Jesus Christ.  He's our only hope for dealing with guilt...and our only comfort in this life and the next. 


Thank You Ted!

 If you get the chance, check out Ted's website here and make sure to pick up a copy of Finding God In The Dark today.

No comments: