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PREFACE BY THE AUTHOR

In the process of mankind's efforts to clarify the Word of God, many books have been written about the Bible. These books can be broken down into two basic types-

The first type are the reference books. Some examples are Concordances, Interlinears, chain reference Bibles, topical Bibles, and Lexicons. The books of this type, though arranged by men, are merely lists of God's written words, or dictionaries defining specific Biblical words. In most cases the information is clearly factual. Therefore most reference books stand undisputed between Bible scholars of various opinions. Although we only need the Bible, these man-made books have proven to be very helpful in the study of God's Word.

Since the Bible likens God's Word to food (Matt. 4:4; Deut. 8:13), a good analogy lies in the food we eat today. Many of our modern conveniences add ease and speed to the time and effort it takes to prepare our meals. In the same manner, these reference books quicken the time it takes to look up passages, or define certain words. But, when used properly, they neither add to, nor take away from, the actual Word of God.

The second type of books written about the Bible are the books written in an attempt to interpret the Bible. Some are good, some are just plain unacceptable. These are the books where a certain author undertakes to express, in his or her own words, Biblical doctrines. Commentaries are one example. These are the books where Bible passages are not merely listed, but rephrased. In these types of books men attempt to answer, in their own words, the questions the Bible seems to raise. It is this second type of book that theological authors step from clear, concise, black & white fact into that gray area called personal interpretation.

As we return to our food analogy we find that today many health professionals warn us of man-made food additives. Some of the chemical additives in our foods cause cancer and ultimate death! Man's additives have turned that which is necessary into that which is lethal. And that in the name of progress!

It is the same with the Word of God. That which is most pure, is that which is most beneficial. The more that is added, the more that is taken away. I'm not saying that all commentaries are evil. I'm saying that commentaries that add to, or take away from the Word of God in order to formulate doctrine are dangerous, and possible fatal.

Within the pages of these studies are several Biblical doctrines stated and defined in reference form by merely listing pertinent passages of scripture. For this reason these studies may, at times, seem to some to be raw and unpolished. Allow me to explain this by saying that I DON'T FEEL MY JOB IS TO REFINE THE WORD OF GOD BY EXPLAINING IT'S CONTENTS INTO MY OWN WORDS. I also feel that those who sincerely esteem true Biblical doctrine will appreciate this attitude. For this is not an apologetic work, quite the contrary. The Word of God, according to Ephesians 6:17, is more an offensive weapon than a defensive one. Therefore, rather than answering the questions man has of God's Word with mankind's ideas, this study was written in order to present God's Words in answer to mankind's questions. There is a big difference.

In using this method, the aims of these studies are as follows-

1) TO DECLARE certain basic doctrines of the Bible as they are plainly stated in the scriptures.

2) TO REVEAL the one method used by all false prophets who distort the truth, cause doctrinal disunity, and frustrate man's relationship with God.

3) TO help UNITE the body of Christ, not through compromise, but into the singleness of mind as spoken of in Rom. 15:6, 1 Cor. 1:10, Phil. 1:27, 2:2, and etc. And into the unity of the faith, and unto the knowledge of the fulness of Christ as spoken of in Ephesians 4:11-13. And thereby-

4) TO help PREPARE the body of Christ to meet our soon returning Lord, in His glory, and for His glory!

In order to expose certain methods of scriptural distortion, it will be necessary to quote certain examples. However, the purpose in these studies is not to defame certain individuals. If it weren't for copyright laws, the names of the authors quoted in these studies would have been kept anonymous. However, in order that the authors and publishers be given credit for their works, a bibliography is given following the last chapter.

Furthermore, THE EXPOSES OF CERTAIN DOCTRINES SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS AN ATTACK ON ANY ONE INDIVIDUALS' TOTAL CONCEPTION OF GOD. The apostle Paul said "...The Lord... be not far away from every one of us..." (Acts 17:27). The scope of these studies are not to destroy what any one has received from God. The idea behind these studies is to help sort out the truth from the error. This is a very delicate proposition since most peoples' errors are laced with truth. Even the religious hypocrites of Jesus' day practiced partial truth- "...Ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness... Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: THESE OUGHT YE TO HAVE DONE, AND NOT TO LEAVE THE OTHER UNDONE" (Luke 11:39,42).

Fortunately we have been left a tool which, if we depend on it solely and utterly, will accomplish the task at hand. That tool is the Word of God, the sword of the Spirit- "For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and IS A DISCERNER OF THE THOUGHTS AND INTENTS OF THE HEART. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight; but all things are naked and open unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." -Hebrews 4:12-13.

If you have any questions or comments regarding this study, you are invited to write or e-mail the author personally. My address is-

Tom Raddatz
P.O. Box 2508
Soldotna, AK 99669

E-mail address: tomr@1lord1faith.org

"Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign... And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord...

"And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that... Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord... And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king...

"And when it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes. And the king commanded ... saying,

"Go ye, inquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found; for great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that is written concerning us" - 2 Kings 22:1-3, 8, 10-13.

"... A man of Ethiopia... had come to Jerusalem for to worship, was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me?..." -Acts 8:27-31.