James Robson
1. How did you become a Christian?
I grew up in a loving, church-going home. I arrived at university as an atheist, but also with a deep sense of dissatisfaction now that I thought (arrogantly) that I had ‘made it’. Two new Christians spoke of Christ to me in ways that intrigued – and annoyed – me. I listened, argued, read, and eventually I knelt down beside my bed, and gave my life to Christ. February 12th, 1985. Seems like yesterday.
2. What lessons have you learnt since that you would want to pass on to a younger Christian version of yourself?
Keep learning. Cultivate a soft heart, a genuine love for God and for people. Christians can behave badly – including you. You are a child of God, no one can take that away, so you do not need to defend yourself. Your work on the Biblical languages is worth it, because reading the Bible in the original keeps it ever fresh.
3. How would you describe your prayer life?
Led by my morning Bible reading; shaped by Praise, Thanks, Confession, Requests; helped by Prayermate; my main time is in the morning, though I do turn to the Lord at many points throughout the day for ‘arrow’ prayers. And too often it’s rather weaker than this.
4. Which two or three Christian books apart from the Bible have most influenced your faith?
J.C. Ryle’s Christian Leaders of the 18th Century, with its stories of Anglican preachers proclaiming Christ fearlessly, simply, prayerfully.
N.T. Wright’s The Resurrection of the Son of God, with its careful scholarship, clear writing, and transformative message: resurrection is not about life after death, or about a new way of seeing life after death, but about life after life after death.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together, with so many penetrating insights about Christian fellowship.
5. Who or what have been your biggest Christian influences?
Michael Green, who showed that passion for the Lord, passion for the lost, and serious thinking and scholarship, can go together.
David Peterson, formerly Principal of Oak Hill College, who had a vision for theological education as something positive and transformative, rather than as something to be endured.
6. What are the main challenges you believe Christians face today?
In one sense, the same as always and everywhere: the world, the flesh, the devil. In another, there are particular challenges facing different Christians in different parts of the UK and the world, so I wouldn’t want to generalise. If you pressed me for what’s closest to me, I’d say Christlikeness, especially around humility and power, is the biggest one.
7. What encourages and what discourages you?
I’m encouraged by Christians keeping walking with Christ and living Christlike lives. I’m encouraged by people giving their lives to Christ and being transformed by His Spirit.
I’m discouraged by Christians behaving badly and then either covering up, pretending it didn’t matter, or becoming aggressive in response.
8. What makes you laugh?
Fawlty Towers, The Now Show, The Big Bang Theory, Tim Vine, Laurel and Hardy.
9. What would you want to say to the wider evangelical world?
Don’t listen to me, listen to Jesus Christ – and not just what we want Him to say or what we’ve always thought He says.
10. Which Biblical person do you most look forward to meeting in glory and why?
Ezekiel, I think. I spent several years doing a PhD on his book, and I’ve still got a load of questions about it, and him. He and God’s people experienced deeply traumatic events, and he stuck with the Godness of God.
