An interview with Peter Bolt
Peter, how did you come to Christ?
In my final year of high school, I came across some Christians who told me the gospel. I thought, “If that is true, that is the best news I have ever heard”. It took me about 12 months to work out that it was true.
How do you occupy your time?
I have the privilege of working at Moore College, teaching students eager to learn about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Tell us a bit about your background or other interests.
I'm Tasmanian by birth, then from country NSW. I was converted at 17. I studied medicine and left it to go into ministry. I love music of all kinds, I love swimming, I like humour and good conversation. I have four daughters who are my life.
What are some books that really helped you grow as a Christian?
- L Boettner, The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination: this helped me to work out who is in charge.
- J Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion: this helped me to understand the Christain faith in which I stand.
- K Barth, Church Dogmatics: this helped me to understand the world christocentrically, and in the light of the freedom of God and the freedom of his creatures. (SG: I just linked to Vol I.1!)
What are you reading now?
K Barth, The Christian Life. It was not published by him in his lifetime, but it was published later, and comes from his notes as the final bit of the Church Dogmatics.
And what books would you recommend as must-reads right now?
- K Barth, Evangelical Theology: here is our faith and piety.
- M Wilcock, I saw heaven opened: here is our future! (SG: Peter has used the original title; Wilcock's book was a commentary on Revelation, now issued in the Bible Speaks Today series.)
What would you say are Barth's strengths and weaknesses, speaking to someone like me who has not read very much of him at all?
Barth was self-consciously standing in the Reformed Tradition, and he sought to write theology that was God-honouring, Christ-centred and true to the word of God. Weaknesses? He wrote too much; will I ever get to the end of it all?
What would your friends say are your hobby horses?
Christ-centred understanding of Scriptures. Anti-moralism.
What's something that makes you angry?
The bullying of people that is done in the name of Christianity, but is really the false religion of moralism.
Who is someone who inspires you?
My daughters. They show me what grace is really all about.
Describe your ideal day off.
Eating bacon and eggs with one of my girls (or more); doing washing for the week; cleaning the house; reading the paper; doing the crossword; walking the dogs and/or swimming with them across Botany Bay; having lamb chops for dinner; and enjoying an evening of reading or listening to music, or good conversation with friends or family.
Give us your top five consummate musicians.
- Led Zeppelin
- Rolling Stones
- Mozart
- Nickelback
- The Divinyls
Thank you, Peter!
