What can we expect to see in the future of the 40 Questions series?
The first volume of the 40 Questions series was published in 2007. Seventeen years later, we have twenty-six volumes published and the thirtieth has now been submitted, to be released sometime next year. Our goal is now to publish at least forty volumes in this series! Forthcoming volumes include the following topics: atonement, election, the Trinity, Mormonism, holy war, worship, the Gospels, apologetics, the Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha, and dispensationalism. The first four volumes of this list are already completed and in the editorial or production phase, and the final six are under contract and will be completed in the next few years.
How have you seen this series evolve from the first title to the latest?
The inaugural title, 40 Questions About Elders and Deacons, was written by me. I wanted to write a book on elders and deacons that was accessible and that answered questions my seminary students were consistently asking. At first, I thought I would come up with a hundred questions. But as I got to about thirty-five, I realized that I had already addressed most of the major questions. So I decided to come up with a nice, round, even (and biblical) number—forty. Initially Kregel agreed to publish four to six volumes, but due to its success, the series is still acquiring new titles. The most recent is Greg Welty’s, 40 Questions About Suffering and Evil. This is the twenty-sixth volume and is a masterful presentation of a most difficult topic. Greg received his PhD from Oxford and is more than qualified to write on this topic. But he is also a dedicated churchman who is able to take complex philosophical concepts and explain them to nonspecialists.
The question posed, however, asks about how the series has evolved. Interestingly, although the series has grown and covers diverse theological topics and religious groups, the strength of the series is actually its consistency. Each volume follows the same format: forty questions; each question is answered in about two thousand words; and each chapter includes five reflection questions. People go to Starbucks because they can get the same cup of coffee in Seattle, Santa Fe, and Savannah. Likewise, people keep coming back to the 40 Questions series because it offers a consistent and reliable product.
What makes the 40 Questions series different from other series like it on the market? What audiences does this series serve?
Simply put, there are no other series like this one. Perhaps the closest is the multiple views series where each book contains various contributors who present and defend their view of a particular topic. Although these volumes are helpful, they have serious limitations. In particular, because each contributor is typically given only fifty to eighty pages to expound their view, the contributors are limited in the depth of the discussion. Thus, they often only scratch the surface. With the 40 Questions series, the author can go much deeper. Another strength of this series is the format: forty questions with clear and concise answers. It can be difficult and discouraging to open a book and begin reading a chapter that is fifty pages long. Also, because of the question-and-answer format, a reader does not need to begin at the first chapter but could jump in at any question without feeling lost.
This series appeals to Christians, especially from an evangelical perspective, who desire to dive deep into an important topic. Consequently, these volumes have benefited high schoolers, graduate students, and many groups in between.
How do you see (or how have you seen) this series making a difference in both the academy and the church?
Of course I am biased, but I have been using various volumes in many of my college and seminary courses. For example, for New Testament Introduction 1 (Gospels), I assign 40 Questions About the Historical Jesus, and for New Testament Introduction 2 (Acts–Revelation), I assign 40 Questions about the Apostle Paul. The volumes make excellent supplementary reading for these courses. The feedback from the students is always positive and usually focuses on the user-friendly format and the clear and succinct chapters.
I have also seen these books help many in the church. Just the other day I noticed several 40 Questions volumes that my church had on display (without being prompted by me in any way). Moreover, I often get emails from pastors and church leaders who thank me for writing my volume.
Which titles in this series are your favorites and why?
This question is not quite fair and perhaps similar to asking a parent which of their children they love the most. I love all the 40 Questions books equally. And yet, if you press me, I would have to say that 40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible would be among my favorites. This was the second book in the series and was written by my good friend Rob Plummer. He was able to write a book that is simple enough for a high schooler but profound enough for a master’s level seminary course. This volume now has a second edition.
I have also been impressed by several other volumes, all related to various religions. Two of these have already been published (40 Questions About Islam and 40 Questions About Roman Catholicism) and one will be released in about a year (40 Questions About Mormonism). These volumes offer fair and accurate presentations of religions that many evangelicals know little about. Consequently, the 40 Questions series provides a helpful introduction to these religions.
Finally, I am super excited about the opportunity I have to produce a second edition of 40 Questions About Elders and Deacons. This volume was first published seventeen years ago and having had the opportunity to teach on elders and deacons over the past twenty years, I have several chapters I want to add, including the following six: (1) How is Jesus the Lord of the church? (2) Is there a distinct office of senior pastor? (3) Are any qualifications negotiable? (4) What factors should a church be mindful of when establishing elders? (5) What is the meaning of the title “deacon”? and (6) What authority, if any, do deacons have? In the end, no significant material will be cut from the first edition since I will combine shorter chapters and streamline some of the material. Thus, the book will still have forty questions!
