Book Proposal
Book Proposal:
Our Heads on
Straight: Sober-Mindedness, a Forgotten Christian Virtue
by Michael W. Philliber
9724 Berkley Circle
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
73162
405.698.8312
michaelphilliber@sbcglobal.net
mphilliber.blogspot.com
1.
Proposed Title: Our Heads on Straight: Sober-Mindedness, a
Forgotten Christian Virtue
2.
Author: Michael W. Philliber
3.
Submitted: 2 January 2020
4.
Format: Book
5.
Topic: The importance and place of Sober-Mindedness.
6.
Target Audience: Church leaders, pastors, and congregants of varied
Christian traditions.
7.
Felt Need: Our present day is highly charged. Many Christians are on
edge and anxious. Social media is aflame with vitriol. Countless numbers assume
that others are guilty until proven innocent. Of all people, Christians who
believe in Jesus, and trust that the Scriptures are the final rule of faith and
life, should be steady in their work and social relations. This volume unpacks
sober-mindedness, what it is and ways it can look. From beginning to end the
Gospel of Jesus is the heart of sober-mindedness and the reason we should want
to be known as a sober-minded people. By the time readers put this book down they
ought to find their interactions on social media different; their responses to
slanderous talk corrected; and any temptation to panic-mindedness replaced. But
most of all, they will come to have their trust in the storm-calming Savior
strengthened.
8.
Comparisons:
(1) Christopher
A. Hutchinson’s “Rediscovering Humility” (9781945270963) is similar in that he
examines the biblical concept of humility and looks for ways it applies in our
relationships and actions. But “Our Heads on Straight” goes in an importantly
different direction. Sober-mindedness includes humility, but goes beyond it.
This study shows how being in our right minds impacts our inner-church
relations, and our outer-community affairs – even when faced with evil, panicky
situations, etc.
(2) Josef
Pieper’s “The Four Cardinal Virtues” (9780268001032) and Tempe’s and Boyd’s “Virtues
& Their Vices” (9780199645541) both touch on sober-mindedness under temperance
(as per Aristotle), but broaden out to cover several larger concepts. This
volume challenges acedia as well as other vices but focuses more on what
this important aspect of temperance is about, especially for Christians and Church
leaders.
9.
Manuscript length: 35,500 words.
10. Brief
Description: “Our Heads on Straight” shows the significance of the biblical
concept of sober-mindedness in an age and environment that can appear to be out
of its mind at times. This book is not a cultural critique, or a document on
mental illness. Rather it is a look into the biblical virtue of having our
heads on straight, grounding it in Mark 4:35-5:20, where Jesus calms the stormy
sea, and then composes the stormy soul, liberating the man conquered by
“Legion.” That composure is pictured by the man now being seated, clothed and
“in his right mind.” Therefore, the book follows the path of the Greek word sophroneo,
its cognates, and main synonym (napho) in the New Testament. The
majority of the manuscript unpacks the way sober-mindedness is to be engaged in
by followers of Jesus, as well as Church leaders. Some of the key subjects this
book addresses are racism, our dual citizenship, acedia, social media
and slander, alarmism, and others.
11. Elevator Pitch:
Sober-mindedness – In a world that feels like it is going out of its mind,
Christians should be known as those with their heads on straight. (I have used
this “pitch” ten times, or more, already, and the response has been, “I’d be
interested in your book.”)
12. Unique
contribution: “Our Heads on Straight” looks straight into the face of
sober-mindedness in sacred Scripture. It is not strictly a word study since many
of the chapters address the passages that speak to sober-mindedness, but then
move on to their applications. And other chapters go to places that don’t
mention the word but display one or two aspects of it. I am unaware of any
other book in the past 40 years speaking to the topic of this book. That means
the book is marking out a unique trail. I draw from my exposure to Alcoholics
Anonymous, my 20-year military career, my involvement in hospice and pastoring,
and other happenings. From these experiences and Scripture, I show what it
means to have our heads on straight, the ways it impacts our connections inside
and outside the church, keeps us on our feet, and grows out of grace and the
Gospel. The timing is important at several levels. There is less and less ability
to patiently handle disagreements. These moments of difference are quickly
becoming firefights and flameouts. I see this happening across Christian
denominations. And then many Christians rashly assume the worst about
politicians, Christian leaders, and others, inflamed by any media source that
claims it is Christian, or that it has the “real” truth. Then in the civil
realm, and in electronic and print media, social media, et al., there is a
growing haste to condemn others as automatically culpable. My book looks at why
we should back away from panic, not fall immediately into the frame of
reference “guilty until proven innocent,” nor frantically and fearfully throwing
around unguarded and slanderous accusations and succumbing to worry. Instead, we
can trust the One who liberated the man with “Legion,” so that he was found
seated, clothed and in his right mind, and find ourselves at peace and
sober-minded.
13. Table of
Contents
a.
Introduction – The book opens with my experience attending AA
meetings and how they distinguished someone who was only abstaining from their
drug of choice from a person who was working at sobriety. It further takes a
short look into the history of the sophroneo words from Classic Greek,
the Septuagint, and the Apostolic Fathers. It ends with the aim of the book and
a verbal map of the chapters.
b.
Stormy Sea and Stormy Soul: Shape of Sober-Mindedness – This
chapter addresses Mark 4:35-5:20 where Jesus calms the stormy sea, and the
stormy soul. The indications that Jesus has liberated the man from “Legion” is
that the man is suddenly found seated at Jesus’ feel, clothed and “in his right
mind” (sophronounta). The chapter goes on to give other indications from
the story of what it meant that the man was in his right mind.
c.
Age, Sex and Status: Sober-Mindedness is Personal and Pervasive –
The second chapter dives into Titus 2 and points out how Paul’s desire for
sober-mindedness embraces both sexes of Christians, every age group, and the
different classes (2:1-10). It also shows how sober-mindedness is one of the
three major virtues listed (2:11-12) that come from grace’s tutelage.
d.
Sober Judgment: Our Response to God’s Mercy – Romans 12 is a
significant section, and this chapter shows how “sober judgment” (sophronein)
is a response to God’s mercy (12:1-3), and governs the church’s internal and
external relationships by walking readers from Romans 12:1 through 15:13.
e.
God’s Hand on God’s Man: Sober-Minded Leadership – Yahweh arrests
the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 8:11-13) who is in a fearful situation and gives him
a hand in only fearing the right thing, God, rather than conspiracies and
societal panic. The chapter goes on to discuss the role of Christian leadership
and how sober-minded leaders help build sober-minded people.
f.
Assess, then Apply – This is a short recap of the previous
chapters and preparation for what follows.
g.
Courage: Sober-Minded Faith – Saul and Jonathan, at Michmash,
faced by overwhelming odds, deal with dread and fear in different ways (1
Samuel 13-14). In this chapter acedia is drawn in and examined, exposing
some of its symptoms, and giving indications for its remediation.
h.
Strangers in a Strange Land: Sojourners and Exiles – How are
Christians to live with their dual citizenship? A good answer is found in
Jeremiah 29. The aim of this chapter is to help Christians to not place their
ultimate allegiance in national politics or interests but in Christ’s Kingdom,
while still being good citizens.
i.
Imagery and Narrative: “Racism” and the Flesh – The Narrative of
“Racism” has been tied tightly to a specific imagery that makes it too easy to
wiggle out of our responsibility. But also, making “racism” the number one
failure of the church is problematic as well. This chapter presents a better
way, lays out solid reasons why, and shows how this right-minded approach is
far more hopeful.
j.
True Witness: The Ninth Commandment – Christians employing
slander, fake news, and falsified accusations, especially on social media, via
emails, and so forth, is all maddening and breaks the Ninth Commandment. This
chapter poses a healthier, more sober approach.
k.
Eagle’s Wings: Coming to Our Right Minds – In the face of the
discouraging let-downs, and loads of disappointments, drained of all energy,
faint, weary and exhausted, our only hope is Yahweh swooping down to bear us up
on his Eagle-wings. This concluding chapter is meant to remind readers that a
major part of being sober-minded is having our hope in the right place.
l.
Conclusion – This short, closing piece briefly summarizes the book
and leaves readers with a challenge to be faithfully sober-minded.
14. Tentative
Completion Date: It is in effect complete now. I’m simply reworking very minor
items.
15. Sample
Chapters: Introduction and Chapter One attached.
16. Endorsements:
a.
Rev. Harry Reeder, Sr. Pastor, Briarwood Presbyterian Church
(PCA), Birminham AL, hreeder@briarwood.org. Harry has
been reading my book reviews for years and has encouraged me numerous times to
keep them up. He says he is ready to right the endorsement now.
b.
Rev. Christopher A. Hutchinson, Senior Pastor of Grace Covenant
Presbyterian Church in Blacksburg, Virginia, chris@gracecovenantpca.org. I reviewed his book,
“Rediscovering Humility” back when it came out, and he sent you my manuscript.
c.
Rev. Paul Rebelo, Pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church in Kingwood,
WV, revrebelo@aol.com. Paul and I went to Trinity (Episcopal) School for Ministry
together to work on our doctorates. We’ve been friends since 2003.
d.
Rev. Zack Carden, Director of Family Ministries at The Church of
the Apostle in Atlanta GA. Zcarden@apostles.org We’ve been
friends for years, and he is one of the moderators (and founder) of the
Facebook Group I help moderate, PCA Pastors and Elders Group.
e.
Stephanie de Oliveira Chen, Postdoctoral Researcher, Social
Psychology at the University of Michigan and she works for Facebook HQ in CA. sdeochen@umich.edu I have known her for about three years (and her husband), She has
actually looked over part of the manuscript and given me some helpful feedback.
f.
Rev. Neil Stewart, Pastor of Christ Covenant Church (ARP) in
Greensboro, NC. neil@christcovenant.church. Neil and I
went to seminary together, RTS-Jackson.
g.
Dr. William Price, Elder in the PCA, engineer for Raytheon, apRhys@msn.com Bill and his wife, Nancy, were parishioners in my church for
several years. He has since moved on to Arizona for work. He has read the whole
manuscript and encouraged me enthusiastically to publish it.
h.
Rev. Wes Alford, Pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church (PCA) in
Sweetwater TN. alfamseven@gmail.com. We have
been acquaintances for several years through Facebook and our denomination.
i.
Peter Scholtens, Owner-Operator of Integrity Rail Products,
Ontario, Canada. peter.scholtens@gmail.com I have known
Peter for years through group connections online.
17. Michael W.
Philliber is a 20-year active duty Air Force veteran (1979-1999). While in the
Air Force he was a Security Police specialist, Air Frame Repair technician,
Correctional Custody manager, and a Recruiter. He was stationed at NORAD in CO;
Incirlik AB, Turkey; Kirtland AFB, NM; Homestead AFB, FL; Kerrville TX; Offut
AFB, NE; and Jackson, Mississippi. Two years after he retired from the U.S. Air
Force, he graduated from Reformed Theological Seminary-Jackson, MS, and was ordained
in 2001 in the Presbyterian Church in America. He completed his D.Min. at
Trinity School for Ministry, Ambridge, PA in 2007. He has been Senior Pastor of
Heritage Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma since 2016.
Philliber has also been a Hospice chaplain, and the director of chaplains at
the Midland Police Department, Midland Texas from 2004 to 2012. He is the
author of “Gnostic Trends in the Local Church” published 2010 by Resources
Press, a Wipf & Stock publication, and “To You I Lift Up My Soul” in 2020
by Black Whitebird Books. He is a prolific book reviewer and has posted over
350 book reviews on his blog, as well as in the Chicago Sun, The Aquila Report,
Seattlepi.com, Blogcritics.com, and others.
18. Other
Publications: As mentioned above, “Gnostic Trends in the Local Church” in 2010
through one of Wipf&Stock’s publishing groups. It has sold about 200
copies. I have a Book Page on Facebook that has 226 members, several of whom
have read the book. Also, “To You I Lift Up MY Soul” was just released in late
February 2020 by Black Whitebird Books. I have set up a blog page just for it
at https://iliftupmysoul.blogspot.com/.
19. Current
Audience: I have a blog where I post my weekly congregational prayers, occasional
reflections and devotions, and book reviews: Deus Misereatur at
mphilliber.blogspot.com. I run around 3,000 page hits a month and have been up
to as high as 12,000 hits a few times. I post weekly. I also have a personal
Facebook page “Michael Philliber” and a professional page “Dr. Michael
Philliber”. I post all my book reviews, congregational prayers and reflections
there as well. I’m not sure the reach, though I regularly receive numerous “likes”
from folks inside and outside my congregation. I am one of four moderators of
the PCA Pastors and Elders Group that has over 2700 PCA pastors and elders in
the group. I share many of my book reviews and prayers there as well and
receive verbal and virtual positive feedback. I also have a Twitter account for
my church, Heritage PCA, where I share all the congregational prayers and book
reviews that fit. That account only has 70 followers. On LinkedIn, I post my
material and have 315 followers. Finally, my sermons are posted on SermonAudio,
and I have gotten as high as 90+ downloads/listens to a sermon in a month. All
told, I average about 200 listens/downloads per month.
20. Media Outlet:
(1) Mars Hill Audio Journal. Only if Ken Meyers likes my book and decides to
interview me. (2) Invite my PCA pastor co-laborers to post their own reviews of
the book on Facebook, and especially on the PCA Teaching Elder and Ruling Elder
Group.
21. Publicity:
(1) Set up a Facebook group for the book (see #22 below) and invite my 1,170
“friends” to join the group and invite their friends. Then purchase a booster
ad for for the book for two months. (2) Establish a website for the book that
has a link to purchase the book. On that website set up short video “Author Interviews”
to discuss some facet of the book. (3) Many in my congregation have already
said they would purchase a copy. (4) Hand out copies to select individuals in
my Presbytery on the promise that they would write up reviews for Amazon, CBD,
NGP, etc. (5) Present a seminar at our annual General Assembly on the subject
of the book and make sure there are copies for sale.
22. Pre-Publish
Engagement: (1) Set up the Facebook Group for the book and invite my 1,170
“friends” to join the group. Post pre-pub tidbits on the book to help increase
awareness and anticipation. (2) Teach a class at my church on the book (which
I’m starting on 5 January 2020). This is not to arouse their interest, but to prepare
a series-presentation that I can then share in other locations if asked. But it
will be recorded for SermonAudio and publicized.
23. Other
ministries: Nothing comes to mind at the moment.
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