For over 40 years, the volumes in IVP’s The Bible Speaks Today (BST) series have sought to help Christians better understand the Bible and how it should impact their lives.
The Message of Joshua by David G. Firth, is no exception. Published in September, Firth’s commentary constitutes the final book of the Bible to be expounded, seeing this renowned series – which began in 1968 with John Stott’s Only One Way on Galatians – finally reach its completion. Alec Moyter takes time to reflect on his decades spent as series editor for The Bible Speaks Today: Old Testament series as he speaks to Elizabeth Neep of IVP.
EN: Alec, congratulations on the completion of The Bible Speaks Today series! Please tell our readers a little about how and when your involvement in the BST series first began?
AM: Well, in 1974, IVP first published my exposition of the prophet Amos, under the title The Day of the Lion. If you study the cover design carefully you will find the words ‘The Voice of the Old Testament’ in it. This was my idea, and Ronald Inchley – then the IVP supremo – went along with the idea of an Old Testament series under that title in parallel to what John Stott was doing for the New Testament under The Bible Speaks Today name. What happened next I can’t remember! It must have been John’s initiative but my Amos book became the first contribution to The Bible Speaks Today: Old Testament and The Voice of the Old Testament bit the dust!
EN: And then you went on to act as series editor for the entire series!
AM: I did! But my editorial procedures lacked the outstanding Stottian ability to get things done, and the Old Testament series has taken regrettably much longer to reach completion than the New. But the end has been hugely worth the wait, and the last four volumes to appear (Ralph Davis on Daniel, Chris Wright on Jeremiah and Lamentations; and David Firth on Joshua) are in every way a crown and climax to gladden any editor’s heart!
EN: Are there any highlights that stand out from your time spent editing the series?
AM: It has been a rich 40 years since Amos appeared! I fear contributors must have frequently despaired over an editor so interfering. To such I can only say count yourselves lucky it was me and not John Stott, for having contributed two volumes to the New Testament Series I know something of the eagle-eyed ways of that beloved man!
Looking back, I find that my main task was helping our contributors to catch the BST vision. I would not ask anyone to ‘preach’ on paper, but I ensured that the values of the preached word be brought into the written word – a major part of the series’ function is to make clear what this particular Word of God is saying today.
EN: Can you pick any favourites from the 33 BST OT commentaries now produced?
AM: No series ever succeeds in being totally top level. Inevitably some contributions are near misses, some are bull’s eyes – I have no intention of engaging in the invidious task of offering you a list! But I can say this: no volume in BST/OT has failed, on publication, to bring me letters of appreciation. Every author, every next book, has contributed to the enrichment of readers, and the glory of the Word of God. What editor could ask for more?
