Crucial Christianity

“A book on religion? But there are so many already.” Yes, there are so many. But I have seen my generation. I have seen us to be on the same course as the generations before us, the path that has brought war, poverty, and hatred. I want to appeal to my generation that they recognize the disappointing history they are repeating. I want to appeal to them to pursue a different and better history. I want to write a book on religion because I have seen a different and better way. I have experienced a divinely inspired culture that has the ability to make our world a better place. I have seen a means of minimizing our offenses and maximizing our tolerance for others’ faults – the fruit of the “peace the world does not know” which resides in the power of the now-living Jesus Christ. I want to appeal to my generation because it seems God is our only hope; and how few seem to be concerned about that. I have seen, held, and been this generation. I have watched us go astray and I feel and understand why we choose so poorly. Instead of rejecting as hopeless, I want to appeal for something more valuable and more permanent than possessions or the satisfaction of desires. I want to appeal to my generation to consider their lives and to consider the words that come from God. I believe they will see in those words the Truth that sets free. I believe they will want to find out about the God who speaks such things. I believe they will mix their own confidence and determination to the hearing of His word and bring about a civilization built not on the thirst for power and wealth but on a desperation for a clean conscience and for a godly heritage. Yes, I have held my generation, know our desperate situation, and believe they are redeemable. I wish they had more time to learn and to choose, but I would appeal to them to consider the shortness of life. I would appeal to them to inquire of the elderly and to find just how quickly life passes. I would beg them to devote their lives to knowing God. It is hoped those unconvinced of the truth of the Bible will read and enjoy this little book. However, the intended reader is our American friend of the Christian persuasion. As discussed in the pages ahead, the overwhelming majority of church-going Christians are unaware of the character and work of the God of the Bible. This may seem to be an outlandish and judgmental assertion, but one for which this author will provide quite a bit of evidence. Regardless, it is hoped that whether the reader is or is not already aware of God’s eternal attributes, he will find them fascinating and attractive enough to devote his future to finding out the facts about this God. Despite the claims of many, we have a promise for a future eternal life that we know very little about. Yet even in view of any uncertainties, this author would propose that even this earthly life built by faith on the things of God is the most valuable commodity on earth; and obtaining it is infinitely more desirable than worldly delights - even if these future and unseen promises never to come to pass. To see the miracle of the new birth in Jesus, to sense the personal presence of the Godhead and to watch Him fulfill His promises without human intervention, to know His affection for the meek, His reproof for the proud, His contentment amidst the hurt of being rejected by those most loved, those things which cannot even be described with words; those are of such overwhelming value that it is not possible to compare them with the mere things of this life. It is to this end I write these things to you, my friends.