Name, Age, and State: Tim Chaffey, 38, Kentucky

Job title: Full-time: Writer/Editor at Answers in Genesis / Creation Museum

Part-time: Director/Speaker at Midwest Apologetics

Web/blog site URL: www.answersingenesis.org www.midwestapologetics.org/blog

Give us your job description in 25 words or less. In addition to writing articles and book chapters, I review our daily web articles to ensure they are biblical and consistent with our message.

Describe a typical workday. The first 30 minutes of my workday are spent in a devotional/prayer staff meeting. Next, I spend some time preparing a daily article that I need to post on our website. I spend the rest of the day writing or reviewing articles and assisting colleagues in various departments with theological issues that arise. About once a week, I give a presentation to visitors at the Creation Museum about the importance of believing all of God’s Word instead of picking and choosing which parts we want to believe or follow.

What led you to realize that you wanted to do this type of work? I’ve long had an interest in the creation/evolution debate, particularly the theological issues involved, but I never dreamed of being a writer or editor. In fact, in high school, my two least favorite classes were English and science. Now, I’m at a ministry using both on a regular basis. I like to say that God has a good sense of humor. 
It wasn’t until I started writing papers in college and seminary that I realized writing came fairly natural for me, and that I actually enjoyed it. I started writing articles on apologetics and theology, and it wasn’t long before I authored my first book.

Did you have any heroes or mentors in your industry that you admired? I have some favorite authors and apologists that I like to read, but I wouldn’t call any of them my heroes. It may sound overly pious, but my real heroes are biblical people like Daniel and Paul. They spoke the truth regardless of the consequences. As a speaker, there are several guys that I look up to (figuratively speaking—when you’re 6’9” like me, you don’t physically look up to too many people). Men like John MacArthur and Ken Ham have inspired me with their tireless efforts to boldly preach the Word and defend the faith in the face of fierce opposition.

What type of education or training was required to land your job? Since my primary area of review has to do with biblical and theological content, I’m counted on to have a broad range of knowledge about the Bible, theology, church history, and apologetics. While I didn’t even know the position existed, God had obviously been preparing me for it. After finishing Bible college, I earned an M.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies, an M.Div., specializing in Apologetics and Theology, and a Th.M. in Church History and Theology. This formal training, along with more than a decade of teaching the subject of creation/evolution allowed me to be prepared for what I do, and I love it.

What do you love most about your job? What’s not to like? I am extremely blessed, and there are many things I love about my job. I get to work every day at the Creation Museum with some tremendous colleagues, and I get to teach regularly at the museum or at camps, schools, and churches around the country. But the thing I love the most is that I actually get paid to study the Bible and teach others about it. If I could afford it, I would pay to have my job.

What one part of your job do you wish you could hire someone else to do? I think I need a secretary who would organize my desk for me and help me stay on top of deadlines. Organizing has never been my strong suit.

What advice would you give to teenagers wanting to get into your field of work? Psalm 37:4 states, “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” This doesn’t mean that if you want a million dollars that God will give you a million dollars. Instead, it means that when you put Him first in your life, your desires will be changed to be in line with what He wants for you. I was a Christian in high school, but I never thought I would be in full-time ministry. But as I learned to make God the top priority in my life, my desires began to change and I wanted to get into ministry.

If you want to get into apologetics, then I can’t say this strongly enough: Read and study the Bible every day. It’s good to read other apologists, theologians, etc., but don’t get so caught up in the writings of other brilliant Christians that you forget to study God’s Word and keep it as the authority. 
If you would like to be a writer and/or editor, then study hard in your English classes (or whatever language you speak/write). Also, recognize the vast differences between the various styles of writing. I’ve written both fiction and non-fiction books and there is a world of difference between the two styles. So be sure to learn what you can from those who are already writing or editing the particular genre you are interested in, and then practice, practice, practice.

How does your job allow you to use your God-given gifts? I get to write articles about the Bible, and I also have opportunities to teach the Word of God and answer questions that people have about it.

Do you have any hobbies or off-hours pursuits that teenagers would find of interest? Nah, I’m a pretty boring guy. ;) In addition to all the reading and writing, I play basketball, swim, and walk. I also build computers, play video games, and cheer for my beloved Green Bay Packers.