God WANTS You Media Kit
Al Thornton
Contact Information
Author Bio
Headshot
Front cover
Book synopsis
Link to purchase
Book content and reviews
Interview topics and questions
Speaker one sheet
5 Fun Facts You Don’t Know About Me
Author Bio
Two-line bio (124 characters)
I’m a writer. I write. It doesn’t just come naturally. It is what I do. You can find my materials at https://www.7ddd.info/.
Short Bio (95 words)
I’m a writer. I write. I’ve been mad at God when He gave me info belatedly, forcing me to rewrite. I’ve delayed on some projects and God has had to nudge me along. Mostly I just DO IT! I write. Theology, commentaries, Bible-teaching novels- I write. Writing is hard. It is frustrating. It is fun. It is my hobby. I write. I did finally have to tell God there is no sense writing if there are no readers. So now I have a little time for promoting, too. You can find my materials at https://www.7ddd.info/.
Medium bio (337 words)
I’m a writer. I write. I’ve been mad at God when He gave me info belatedly, forcing me to rewrite. I’ve delayed on some projects and God has had to nudge me along. Mostly I just DO IT! I write. Theology, commentaries, Bible-teaching novels- I write. Writing is hard. It is frustrating. It is fun. It is my hobby. I write.
I do daily Bible study. And often I write at that time.
For some books I spend all day, weeks on end, writing to the point of exhaustion (when I must take a few days off. I can’t think straight).
For example, I’m the dumbbell that spent 3,000 hours studying 1 John in the original Greek- after I learned Greek so I could do this. Writing God WANTS You spanned a time of decades. I wrote, rewrote, and rewrote again, learning as I went. The last writing took a year of long hours almost every day.
Novels are fun. Most fun is when I can write characters into a corner, and have to stop because I don’t know how they are going to get out. By the next day I know how they out, and into another bind.
After writing God WANTS You I decided to write questions for it. Now the commentary is set up as journals. After that I wrote stories to teach the main points. No cliffhangers here.
Somewhere along the line you have to quit writing and start promoting. God just kept giving me writing project after writing project. Finally, I said, “God, I’m not writing any more books until the ones I’ve written are being read.” A year and a book later… What can I say? I’m a writer. I wrote- as I set up a website and a substack. I won’t talk about the …, well, the book I just started…. At 7ddd.info you can find Bible teaching novels, Greek based commentaries, theology, a grammar, journals. Why, Noah’s Mouse even snuck in here somehow.
You can find my materials at https://www.7ddd.info/.
Long bio (596 words)
I’m a writer. I write. It’s just- me.
I’ve been mad at God when He gave me info belatedly, forcing me to rewrite not only part of that theology book, but part of a commentary I had just finished. I’ve delayed on some projects and God has had to nudge me along. Mostly I just DO IT! I write.
Theology, commentaries, Bible-teaching novels- I write. Writing is hard. Frustrating. Fun. My hobby. I write.
I often write during daily Bible study time. I get excited. I learn as I prepare to write. I don’t want to forget what God has shown me. That’s why I started writing- my forgetter works too well.
For some books I spend all day, weeks on end, writing till exhausted (when I must take a few days off. I can’t think straight). For example, I’m the dumbbell that spent 3,000 hours studying 1 John in the original Greek- after I learned Greek so I could do this. Writing God WANTS You spanned a time of decades. I wrote, rewrote, and rewrote again, learning as I went. The last writing took a year of long hours almost every day.
Novels are fun. Most fun is when I write characters into a corner, and have to stop because I don’t know how they are going to get out. By the next day I know how they get out, and into another corner they go. I experience the cliffhanger before you do! I don’t outline in advance.
I like to teach Bible by means of novels. I even make a novel to teach the concepts for some of the books / journals with concepts that are hard to grasp. After writing God WANTS You I wrote questions for it. Now the commentary is set up as journals. Then I wrote stories to teach the main points. No cliffhangers here.
I learned Greek so I could write in depth and accurately. How in depth? I’m the dumbbell that spent 3,000 hours in 1 John in the Greek.
I created a unique symbols-based grammar. It was a nine-month side project.
Another side project: I developed Predictive Money Control. Originally for my own finances, I expanded it so others can use it.
It is really important to be willing to change your theology. God has things to teach. If you aren’t willing to change, you will miss much. I don’t just parrot previous ideas.
I get angry about people stealing God’s glory.
Somewhere along the line you have to quit writing and start promoting. God just kept giving me writing project after writing project. Finally, I said, “God, I’m not writing any more books until the ones I’ve written are being read.” A year and a book later… What can I say? I’m a writer. I wrote- as I set up a website. I won’t talk about the …, well, the book I just started…. At 7ddd.info you can find Bible teaching novels, Greek based commentaries, theology, a grammar, journals. Why, Noah’s Mouse even snuck in here somehow.
I create my own book covers. Graphic arts is fun. If I wasn’t writing books I would spend more time with graphic arts.
I write a blog. A podcast is coming. And videos. I am learning ways to make my materials known.
I’ve been a conservative Christian for over 50 years.
I am pretty much a loner. I can be alone and not be lonely. Which is a good thing since writing is not a group project, at least not for me.
You can find my materials at https://www.7ddd.info/.
Book Synopsis
2 line summary (34 words)
We learn who Jesus really is. Then, using 1 John’s original outline, we learn the 3 types of Christians, the 2 kinds of sin, what sin to death really is. Set up as journals.
Short (66 words)
We learn the 3 main points about who Jesus really is. Then, using 1 John’s original outline, we learn the 3 types of Christians, the 2 kinds of sin, what sin to death really is. Set up as journals waiting for your Personal Answers so you apply God’s teaching to your life. Includes short stories that give a fun overview of the concepts. Available at https://www.7ddd.info/
Medium (188 words)
Very important: We learn John’s original outline. Without that 1 John cannot be properly understood.
We learn the 3 main points about who Jesus really is. Then, using 1 John’s original outline, we learn:
3 kinds of Christian. 3 reactions to God. 3 stages of salvation. Which kind of Christian am I?
2 kinds of sin. What is sin to death? Did I do it? Can I? What is sin not to death?
1 Jesus. Just who is Jesus? What does He DO for me?
0 sins. Maybe. John says Christians can sin- and can't. Which is it? Does God make me sinless? Do I have to be sinless to be with God?
-1 Can I lose my salvation? How does John make the lose-your-salvation and can't-lose-your- salvation groups both half-right? (Without mentioning it!)
++ Why is John so repetitive- or is he really?
= God WANTS You. Permanently.
God's question is: Do You WANT God?
Scholarly Bible materials are set up as journals waiting for your Personal Answers so you apply God’s teaching to your life.
Includes short stories that give a fun overview of the concepts.
Available at https://www.7ddd.info/
Long (407 words)
Very important: We learn John’s original outline. Without that 1 John cannot be properly understood.
We learn the 3 main points about who Jesus really is. Then, using 1 John’s original outline, we learn
3 kinds of Christian. 3 reactions to God. 3 stages of salvation. Which kind of Christian am I?
2 kinds of sin. What is sin to death? Did I do it? Can I? What is sin not to death?
1 Jesus. Just who is Jesus? What does He DO for me?
0 sins. Maybe. John says Christians can sin- and can't. Which is it? Does God make me sinless? Do I have to be sinless to be with God?
-1 Can I lose my salvation? How does John make the lose-your-salvation and can't-lose-your- salvation groups both half-right? (Without mentioning it!)
++ Why is John so repetitive- or is he really?
= God WANTS You. Permanently.
God's question is: Do You WANT God?
Journal 1 God WANTS You
Journal 2 God KNOWS You
Journal 3 God CHANGES You
Journal 4 God ENABLES You
Journal 5 God BELIEVES In You
Which of three types of Christian are you?
What does God expect out of your type?
What blessings does God give your type?
The journals correspond to the chapters in 1 John:
Ist John : John’s Original Outline
Chapter 1:
Little children: conditional, cancelable commitment to God
God works to have a relationship with you.
Chapter 2:
How do we know we are Christians?
The 3 types of Christians
Chapter 3:
Young men: permanent relationship with God
Purity of commitment to God and of rule-based caring for man
Chapter 4:
Fathers: people oriented
Helping people simply because people matter to God
Chapter 5:
Us: God makes us victors. Jesus wins, Satan loses.
God WANTS you! Sin is not a deal breaker.
Except the one some little children do.
If you don’t know John’s original outline you don’t know 1st John
If you don’t know John’s original outline you don’t know Who You Are
Scholarly Bible materials are set up as journals waiting for your Personal Answers so you apply God’s teaching to your life.
Includes short stories that give a fun overview of the concepts.
3000 hours. Direct Bible study. In the Greek. Study, write, unwrite, study, write. Without the distraction of other commentaries. I give my expanded personal translation of 1 John.
This 1 John Bible commentary gives Actual Bible Answers.
Available at https://www.7ddd.info/
Book Points of Interest:
1 John’s original outline is a major feature of the book.
2. Can I lose my salvation? Here is a unique view that John makes available, without even discussing the issue.
3. Did I do the unpardonable sin... the sin to death? John has the answer to what the unpardonable sin is, and if you might do it.
4. John answers the question: does my sin break my relationship with God?
5. 3 main points about Jesus: Son, Jesus, Christ. The distincions are a big deal for understanding what Jesus did for us, and who He is to us today.
6. God makes us victors. Jesus wins, Satan loses. And we are winners in Jesus.
Links to Purchase
Author website: https://www.7ddd.info/
I guaranteefinances aren’t a problem if you want this. There is a zero-cash option.
Interview Topics and Questions
Q. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
A. When I found myself writing. I was in my earliy thirties by then.
Q. What inspired the idea for your book?
A. Each book was motivated by God. I did a comparison of love between a well-known psychologist and 1 John in 1980. God’s idea of love is way deeper than man’s. In 2000 I started putting in serious time to understand this little book. 3000 hours of time in the last 20 years. That is the equivalent of 1½ years full time work. I had questions.
As I started to study 1 John the seeming contradiction that Christians can sin and cannot sin stood out. How could John say Christians sin in one place and don't sin in another place? It is pretty obvious from the Greek that the idea that John is referring to a state of sin in one place and not in another is not correct; and trying to make one set of verses apply to ongoing sin and the other verses not do so- that doesn't work, either. Even more bothersome is seeing interpretations of the Greek get manipulated toward one's theology in some versions.
And what did he mean when he said that we are anointed ones?
And what does John mean about sin to death and sin not to death?
And why does John use long terms for Jesus like Son Jesus Christ. Why such wordiness, when one word will do? Or will it do?
And just why was he so repetitive?
Q. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
A. For in-depth books I write till I almost literally can’t see straight. I write for days and days and end up not able to concentrate and have to take several days off. And I regret that because there is writing to do! God made me a writer and write I do. This book was an exception to that. It didn’t take a year to write so I didn’t get to that stage before I finished it.
I have two writing quirks with novels. I write novels to explain the concepts of the books with complicated topics, like a theology book. When I do that I pretty much have an outline for the novel before I do anything. Figure out the point of view and the characters and off I go.
If I don’t already have an outline I write without one. I like to write my characters into corners and not have any idea how they will get out. So I can end up with almost daily cliffhangers. I get to enjoy the cliffhangers before my readers do.
Q. What authors do you like to read? What book or books have had a strong influence on you or your writing?
A. When you write all the time there just is no time for reading. The Bible is the big exception to that, of course. However, I did a lot of reading in my earlier years. I used to read theology books. That was fun for me. I’ve been writing so long I don’t remember many of the author names. Larry Richards, Walter C. Kaiser, Martin & Deidre Bobgan, L. S. Chafer.
I also read a lot of novels in earlier years.
Q. What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?
A. Get it done. Expect it to be imperfect. Set it aside for some months then revise.
Next figure out how to promote it. Preferrably right away. Don’t put that off.
But God might just get you going on to the next book instead. In that case the promotion may have to wait. That is what happened to me. I did a lot of research on promoting but never had the time to just get it done. Even after I had a website and a blog I still wasn’t promoting them. God sidetracked me in developing Predictive Money Control. That was a 5 month delay all by itself.
And if at all possible tie you book in to something long-term and big going on in society right now.
And read a lot. That is how you learn to write. You read.
Q. Why did you start studying 1 John?
A. I got interested when I read an article on “love” by a famous psychologist. I decided to compare his ideas to God’s ideas. God has a much deeper, different idea of love than psychology does.
Q. Why do you say the original outline for 1 John is so important?
A. When I started learning about this little book I could not figure out the outline. I did not buy the idea that 1 John was merely beginner level highly repetitive stuff. John may have been old, but he was not senile, which may as well be how people today view his writing. I sensed intuitively there was an outline. I could see it was there as I started to learn distinctions between some of what he taught. And I knew the outline was the key to figuring out how things that seemed to be merely repetitive and even conflicting would be shown to be cohesive and sensible. I did not find the outline until 2019, and I started learning about 1 John in 1980 or so.
Q. What was the process like for writing your materials?
A. This was stop and go. I first learned some about 1 John. Then I moved on to other things. I would spend some months working on the book, puzzling through meanings of ideas and seeming contradictions in the book. Then I would move on. Years later I would tackle 1 John again. Slowly I figured out what was being said. Each time I dealt with 1 John I would add to what I had written before, and rewrite as needed. When I finally found the original outline in 2019 the final pieces fell together.
Q. What is the big deal about studying in the Greek?
A. There are concepts that you will not find in English translations. And the translations tend to be slanted toward the theology of the translators. The same claim can be made about my translation. Studying in the Greek gives me the ability to look past the biases of translators. I have more options about the meaning of what was said when I study in the Greek, more opportunity to see concepts that I cannot see using English translations.
5 Fun Facts You Don’t Know About Me
I don’t sing. I just learned that different countries have their music instruments set to different keys. I wonder if my ears are set to a key not used in this country.
I had a mechanic once. I didn’t have a car, but I had a mechanic. I discovered his shop while riding a bike past his place. It had a cross on it. I just knew right then he was the mechanic for me. I introduced 3 people to him. One of the people I introduced to him complained because the first three times he took his van to the mechanic the mechanic did the work for free. Good mechanic.
I don’t care about social media. Doesn’t interest me in the least. But I may have to start using it before long so I can tell people about my books.
I had three conflicting cancer diagnoses. And one chemo nurse that told me to wait- new better treatments were on the way. I decided alternative medicine is the way to go.
I read part of a series by J. R. R. Martin. Excellent writing. I will never read another book by him. Evil won. Satan will never win in the end. Read my historical novel, Satan’s Goals, and you will see the truth. I never intended to write that book, and in fact resisted it for a week even as God pushed it. It only took about a week for God to have me writing. It was a quick book to write, and interesting.