“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me … “ 

John 5:39

          I am convinced that, particularly in the age in which we live, the adjective, “biblical”, has become of utmost importance.  It is definitive, separating true Christianity from all that is not according to Christ.  There are many false Christs, but the true Christ is a “biblical” Christ – that is, the One that has been revealed by the Spirit of God through the scriptures commonly known as The Bible. 

        There have always been vain philosophies of human device, along with false religions in pursuit of false deities.  But there is also a “christianity” which ought not to be called Christianity – that is, a false christianity – a christianity that is not biblically based.  True Christianity is a biblical Christianity – the Christianity, originally known as “The Way”[1], which Jesus initiated - the Christianity that is delineated in the Bible.  Therefore, the term “biblical” is definitive, separating the true Christ and true Christianity from all that is otherwise.    

          The Bible has wrongfully received some “bad press” in recent years.  Its detractors are, I believe, intellectually dishonest.  I say this because I have never once read nor heard a detractor of the Bible convincingly display that he or she actually had much personal knowledge of the Bible.  They either quote someone else who has also not studied the Bible; or they arrogantly spout smug statements contrary to the Bible which are scientifically unfounded and/or historically unverified.  You may think of me as being “cynical”, but this is what I think is motivating the satanic activity behind most of the detractors of the Bible: Money and success.  The acceptance of doctoral dissertations, as well as, the awarding of publishing contracts all too often go to those who will purport the “weird and wonderful”.  Much scientific theorizing (being presented as “fact”) is simply done in an effort to gain grant monies and/or to maintain “job security” in the academic and scientific fields.  The plethora of pop-academics, pseudo-scientists, and humanistic theologians writing books and appearing on T.V. are making a good living off the masses who are literally buying into “the pitch” fueling their lucrative speaking and writing careers.  And, unfortunately, if someone does not have sufficient time to research true science and history as well as, study what the Bible is really all about, it seems expedient to just assume that these self-proclaimed experts know what they are talking about.  In this way, those with financial and quasi-religious/philosophical agendas have been able to mislead those who are Biblically illiterate.  And this has been the case throughout human history. 

          The Bible addresses the ultimate questions in life, and we really cannot afford to try “do life” without the answers.  One just does not want to be uninformed regarding the Bible.  I firmly believe there are many people who are interested in investigating and knowing for themselves the truth of what the Bible is really all about.  But many of these same people are “turned off” to some Christians and feel that most church ministry “does not relate” to their lives.  I usually can agree with all their criticisms.  At the same time, most of these same people have never had the opportunity (or never taken the opportunity) to experience authentic Christianity.  i.e. The Way which Jesus initiated – biblical Christianity.  And, because of their negative reaction to people, they never truly respond to God.  i.e. They try to “do life” without knowing the God Who is the Author, the Giver, the Sustainer, and the Perfector of life. 

        This God has chosen to reveal Himself  - through His creation, then through the Old and New Testament scriptures of the Bible, and ultimately, through His Son, Jesus Christ.  We can see a reflection of God in the creation; and He has most perfectly revealed Himself through the Man, Jesus of Nazareth.  But we cannot sufficiently know Him, His Spirit nor His Christ as He intended, without knowing the biblical scriptures through which He has chosen to reveal Himself.  In fact, the Spirit of God has inspired the scriptures, given us the scriptures, and preserved the scriptures through the ages specifically so that humanity could cease “groping in the dark”[2], and be able to seek, find, and come to know and love their Creator and Redeemer.  The word of God, speaking through the biblical scriptures, is “living and active”[3].  The Bible is an “inter-active” book in the truest sense of the word.  God created us because He is pleased by having relationship with us.  We relate to a living God, not to a book.  But you cannot relate to One you do not know (nor “worship what you do not know”[4]).  God inspired, gave, and preserved the biblical scriptures for the express purpose of revealing Himself to those with whom He desires relationship and to facilitate that relationship with Himself.    

        We really cannot afford to ignore the Bible – it is the revelation of the Author, Giver, Sustainer and Perfector of Life.  Jesus, the Living Word, said: “The Thief comes only to steal kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”[5]  Here, He is talking to people who already have a physical existence.  He is obviously referring to a “life” which is above and beyond the biological.  The Greek word here is zoë, meaning spiritual life.  Jesus also said: “Life is spiritual. Your physical existence doesn't contribute to that life. The words that I have spoken to you are spiritual. They are life.”[6]  These life-giving words are the words of God, the Author, the Giver, the Sustainer, the Perfector of Life.  These words are given to us in the biblical scriptures.   

                  I have a God-given calling to teach the Bible.  I have been walking in that calling for about 33 years teaching in 100’s churches and 100’s of homes on 4 continents.  I intend to continue to follow this call until I die.  So, we teach the Bible and endeavor to help people receive these “words of life” which God has given.  If you are interested in studying the Bible, feel free to contact us:  

Bill & Frances Furioso

At Christ’s Table Ministries

Phone: (585) 747-3906

E-Mail: AtChristsTable@rochester.rr.com

59 Morton Street Rochester New York 14609

Website: www.AtChristsTable.org

Blog: http://AtChristsTableMinistries.blogspot.com

“I recommend the following

for open-minded and intelligent people

who are searching for the true God and true peace of soul.”

Don Richardson, author of Eternity In Their Hearts from his forward to the book The God Who Is Real by Dr. Henry Morris

An excerpt from The God Who Is Real by Dr. Henry Morris –

“Surely THE GOD WHO CREATED

THIS MARVELOUSLY COMPLEX UNIVERSE

with its thinking, feeling, volitional human beings

WOULD NOT DO SO CAPRICIOUSLY

leaving them to flounder forever, ignorant and unfulfilled.

SURELY A GOD LIKE THIS WOULD REVEAL HIMSELF AND HIS WILL

TO THOSE WHO SINCERELY DESIRE TO KNOW HIM,

no matter where or when they enter the human family.

There are many supposedly sacred books in existence,

but THE BIBLE IS UNIQUELY GOD’S WRITTEN WORD.

Of all the so-called scriptures of the world’s religions,

THERE IS ONLY ONE BOOK

WHICH EVEN ATTEMPTS TO EXPOUND CREATION.

All others start with the space/time/matter universe

already in existence in some primeval form.

ONLY THE BIBLE

tells how it was called into existence out of nothing

except for the power of God.

It is the only book which actually claims to be

THE REVELATION OF THE CREATOR.

THE BIBLE VALIDATES THIS CLAIM IN NUMEROUS WAYS.

It is not merely a book of morality or religious philosophy,

as are the other sacred books,

IT IS A BOOK OF HISTORY AND FULFILLED PROPHECY.

Its accurate accounts are

THE MOST DETAILED AND BEST CONFIRMED HISTORIES

of the primeval world and of the key events of

God’s dealings with man.

Its HUNDREDS OF METICULOUSLY FULFILLED PROPHECIES

are a unique testimonial to ITS DIVINE ORIGIN;

and ITS SCIENTIFIC INSIGHTS ARE REMARKABLE.

In fact, its very structure

offers repeated surprises of design to the Bible student.

Although its sixty-six books were written by

at least forty different authors over a period of

at least fifteen centuries, it has

ONE GRAND THEME:

THE GREAT PURPOSE OF GOD

FROM CREATION TO CONSUMATION.

It is fully consistent both in internal content and external contact,

WITH NO PROVABLE ERRORS ANYWHERE.

IF ANY BOOK IN THE WORLD CAN LAY CLAIM

TO BEING THE INSPIRED REVELATION OF THE WORLD’S CREATOR,

THAT BOOK IS THE BIBLE!”

Dr. Henry Morris, The God Who Is Real, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1988)

Dr. Henry Morris is the author of many well-known books on Christian evidences and the scientific accuracy of the Bible. He is president of the Institute for Creation Research and professor of hydrology, having served on faculties of major universities for 28 years including 13 years as chairman of the civil engineering department at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute.

NOTABLE SAYINGS ABOUT THE BIBLE

GEORGE WASHINGTON: “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.”

NAPOLEAN: “The Bible is no mere book, but a Living Creature, with a power that conquers all that oppose it.”

FERRAR FENTON: “In the Hebro-Christian Scriptures we have the only key that unlocks the mystery of the universe to man, and the mystery of man to himself.”

LORD TENNYSON: “Bible reading is an education in itself.”

HORACE GREELEY: “It is impossible to enslave mentally or socially a Bible-reading people. The principles of the Bible are the groundwork of human freedom.”

SIR WILLIAM HERSCHEL: “All human discoveries seem to be made only for the purpose of confirming more and more strongly the truths contained in the Sacred Scriptures.”

SIR ISAAC NEWTON: “There are more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible than in any secular history.”

GOETHE: “Let mental culture go on advancing, let the natural sciences progress in ever greater extent and depth, and the human mind widen itself as much as it desires; beyond the elevation and moral culture of Christianity – as it shines forth in the Gospels – it will not go.”

CONSIDERING ALL THAT HAS BEEN STATED ABOVE, NO OPEN-MINDED, INTELLIGENT PERSON CAN IGNORE THE BIBLE, NOR TRUST THE ASSUMPTIONS OF ITS CRITICS WITHOUT FIRSTLY DILIGENTLY STUDYING IT FOR ONESELF.

If you are interested in Bible study, contact:

Bill and Frances Furioso

At Christ’s Table

Telephone: (585) 747-3906 / E-mail: AtChristsTable@rochester.rr.com