Lively Hope by J. Daniel Day is the latest publication from Nurturing Faith Books, the publishing imprint of Good Faith Media.
The book explores hope through thoughtful meditations that distinguish between our life-hopes and our hopes for the world. The book’s main title comes from scripture, specifically from the 1611 King James translation of 1 Peter 1:3, which says God has “begotten us again unto a lively hope.”
Day guides readers through understanding the phenomenon of hope, hope’s many challenges, and our literary view of hope.
“I want to explore lively hope, the kind that sings songs in the night and stares down long odds in clear daylight, the kind that dares to dance before the fiddler has even picked up his bow and won’t stop talking until the right has been done,” Day writes. “Anything less isn’t worth your time or mine.”
This is Day’s fourth book overall, and his third to be published with Nurturing Faith.
From his classroom experience came his 2013 book, Seeking the Face of God: Evangelical Worship Reconceived. In 2015 a second book, drawn from his pastoral meditation, was published: If Jesus Isn’t the Answer, He Sure Asks the Right Questions. A theological memoir and confession followed in 2020: Finding the Gospel: A Pastor’s Disappointment and Discovery.
Day is, at heart, a Baptist “preacher’s kid” from Oklahoma and has a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Baptist University to attest to that origin. He also earned M.Div. and Ph.D. degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.
Called and ordained as a pastor at age 19, Day served seven churches during his pastoral career. He is pastor emeritus of the First Baptist Church (Salisbury Street) of Raleigh, North Carolina, and former senior professor of preaching and worship at Campbell University Divinity School in Buies Creek, North Carolina.
Day and his wife Mary Carol are the parents of twin sons and grandparents of five (much above average) grandchildren. The Days make their home in Durham, North Carolina.
Lively Hope is available in paperback for $18 (with free shipping) from GFM’s bookstore.
An e-book will be available on Amazon (Kindle) and Barnes and Noble (Nook) soon.
Reflection and resources at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens.
