A reader suggesting posting this book in installments. Later I will move it over to Create Space-Amazon-Kindle. I am inserting some graphics for now, but it is likely the new edition will feature Norma Boeckler's own selections. I am turning the title into the sub-title, the major change.
Typo finders are welcome to send their finds to bethanylutheranworship@gmail.com. Try not to gloat, as my feelings are easily hurt.
Introduction
For years people
have asked for a basic introduction to the Christian faith. I thought it would
be good to offer an outline of the public ministry of Jesus as the primary
focus of the book. In addition, some of the basic doctrines of the Christian
faith are presented in the ministry of Christ and expanded somewhat in the
second section of the book. The central message of the Bible is forgiveness
through faith in Jesus. His atoning death on the cross is the priceless
treasure of the Christian Church. All the teachings of Christianity are related
to the salvation won for us by the death and resurrection of our Savior, Christ
Jesus, the Son of God. Every Christian book should have as its goal the
conclusion of the Gospel of John:
John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life
through his name.
The orthodox Christian faith has existed
from the beginning and will continue until history comes to an end with the
return of Christ. When Martin Luther and the authors of the Book of Concord
witnessed to their faith during the Reformation, they argued that they were
teaching what the early Church taught until her doctrines were corrupted by
various factors. This argument is still true today. Everything in the Christian
faith can be established through the Scriptures alone. Mormon missionaries told
me that there are “One hundred interpretations for every verse of the Bible.” I
agreed, saying, “Ninety-nine wrong ones and one correct one.” When they
sputtered and tried to recover, I asked, “Do you really think that God became
man, died on the cross for our sins, rose from the dead, and then left a record
so vague and contradictory that no one could understand it?”
No one should be alienated by the long
history of conflict over what the Bible teaches. The Scriptures are extremely
clear, teaching us all we need to know about our salvation and eternal life.
The Word of God moves us to believe in Christ and to please God in our lives.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both
to will and to do of his good
pleasure.
The best way to learn the truths of the Bible is to study
the Scriptures patiently, using a few books as study aids. It is a blessing to
have a congregation and pastor where the orthodox Christian faith is taught and
practiced. Those who do not live near a faithful congregation can correspond
and learn through the Internet.
The most important
way to begin a study is with a reliable Bible. The King James Version is still
the most reliable and precise. It is ideal for public reading and memorization.
Some people find the older forms of English in the KJV to be difficult. There
are many updated versions of the KJV available. The most promising is the Third
Millennium KJV. The New KJV has been used extensively, but I hope that updated
translations more faithful to the original will displace the more creative
versions.
The authority,
inspiration, and inerrancy of the Bible should be accepted without debate today.
Unfortunately, clever attacks against the Scriptures have left many people with
an odd stew of ideas about the Bible. The best way to test what a minister
teaches about the Bible is to ask a simple question. “Are there any errors or
contradictions in the Bible?” If he answers “Yes,” he has departed from the
historic position of the Christian Church. He may be in the majority today, but
he is still wrong, a blind guide. It is better to trust what Jesus says about
the Bible:
John 10:35 …the
scripture cannot be broken.
Or the apostle Paul:
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly
furnished unto all good works.
Or King David:
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
The Word of God creates a new man who loves God and seeks
to serve his neighbor.
1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in
obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure
heart fervently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of
incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Many people have
helped in the creation of this book. The Gospel of forgiveness through Christ
is eternal-life-giving. I hope that this little book will be another stone
thrown in the pond.
The Stone in the Pond
“The preaching of this message may be likened to a stone
thrown into the water, producing ripples which circle outward from it, the
waves rolling always on and on, one driving the other, till they come to the
shore. Although the center becomes quiet, the waves do not rest, but move
forward. So it is with the preaching of the Word. It was begun by the apostles,
and it constantly goes forward, is pushed on farther and farther by the
preachers, driven hither and thither into the world, yet always being made
known to those who never heard it before, although it be arrested in the midst
of its course and is condemned as heresy.” [1]
[1] Sermons of Martin Luther,
8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, III,
p. 202. Ascension Day. Mark 16:14-20.
Dedication
Jesus, Priceless Treasure is dedicated to
Norman W. Woehrle
World War II Navy Veteran,
All those who have served
in our Armed Forces,
And their families.
