Deserted Island with Derek Thomas, Part 2

What better reading could you ask to have on a deserted island than a rich collection of Puritan prayers? On this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Derek Thomas returns to share several of his favorite books with Dr. Stephen Nichols.

Steve Nichols: Well, welcome back to another episode of 5 Minutes in Church History. Last week, when we were together, we were with Dr. Thomas. We were talking about the books that he was going to take with him on his deserted island. He's got Calvin's Institutes. He's got Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, and he's got a biography of Wagner. Well, we've got him back before we send him off to his deserted island to find his final two books. Dr. Thomas, it's great to see you again.

Dr. Derek Thomas: Likewise.

SN: What would book number four be?

DT: Well, I'm applying some rational thought to being on a deserted island without you there to keep me sane. I assume there's food. I'm not catching fish and stuff by myself, I hope. There are pineapple trees and coffee beans that I may be able to... I'm not sure about lighting a fire. I need something super spiritual. I think what I would go for is The Valley of Vision collection of Puritan prayers. They have been phenomenally successful, published by the Banner. Sadly, they're not identified. The source isn't identified, which irritates me to no end because I would... and maybe because the source may not actually dot all the Is and Ts and whatever.

SN: I'm so glad you've said that. That's my only frustration with that book is you don't know who these people are to track down the source.

DT: But reading those prayers reminds me again and again of how shallow my spirituality is and the depth of expression in English, but also their communion and fellowship with God and their understanding of Reformed spirituality. I think that would keep me sane.

SN: There is a depth there. It reminds us of just how much on the surface we tend to be in our prayers and how little we reflect even on the character of God in our prayers.

DT: Yes.

SN: So, The Valley of Vision and probably the beautiful leather edition. Is that the one?

DT: I received the leather edition just a week ago from a new publication by the Banner in a little presentation box. I'm ready to go.

SN: There you go.

DT: I'll put it in the bag.

SN: Well, that leaves one more book. What would it be?

DT: Well, it would have to be Lord of the Rings. I was in high school in 1969. I was sixteen years old, and there was a thing. Everyone in high school was reading Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. I mean, it was a craze. It was beginning of summer. We were about to break up. I went to the local bookstore. There was only one bookstore in the town where the high school was. There was a paperback edition of Lord of the Rings, and I spent that summer reading it.

SN: Do you still have that edition?

DT: I do. I've read Lord the Rings every year since then.

SN: Is that the edition that you would take with you?

DT: Yes. Mm-hmm (affirmative).

SN: I can imagine this is very hard for you to pick five books. I do believe you have books... Is it in about four different offices back there in Columbia? I mean, shelves upon shelves of books.

DT: Yes. Yes. They need sorting because every time I move, they get out of line.

SN: Well, let's not think about that.

DT: No.

SN: Let's send you off to your deserted island to enjoy John Calvin, John Bunyan, the life of your favorite composer of operas, Wagner, the prayers from Valley of Vision, and then a little bit of Tolkien tossed in. Before we leave you on your deserted island, would you be so kind as to give us a farewell in Welsh?

DT: [Speaks in Welsh]

SN: Thank you. I'm Steve Nichols. Thanks for joining us for 5 Minutes in Church History.