The Mystery: Christ Jesus Preface
v
A Handbook on the Man from Galilee
The Mystery: Christ Jesus Preface
vi
Preface
Although studied widely, written about profusely, debated richly amongst critics, scoffers,
theologians, and skeptics but never debunked (as the myth some wish Him to be!), history per se
has no knowledge of Him (it is as if God sought and/or procured exclusive rights to the reporting
and proclamation of His life and times—Josephus, notwithstanding!). Literarily, He does not
exist apart from the Biblical narrative. Yet, for all of this, what single, historical figure, past or
present, can boast a name greater, more widely circulated and recognizable (i.e., who has greater
name recognition)? What name has greater worth where the good and benefit to all humanity is
concerned?
More bizarre still, amid all the discussion surrounding Him, who actually knows Him? Does
anyone? His churches do not (oh, woe begone!), although they brandish His Name weekly, even
daily via the media—in all its various forms! They are absolutely clueless, in spite of
opportunity and a relatively easy access to the Source Book of all knowledge concerning Him
that is relatively unparalleled, in any past generation. The plight of the unbeliever is
understandable. The grand ignorance of the Christian is utterly inexcusable. Gentle though it is,
“take My yoke upon you, and, learn of Me…” is not a suggestion to the saints, it is a command.
Getting to “know” the Savior, as He monitors and knows intimately each and every Christian, is
not an option, as much as it is a duty, a Christian responsibility.
As the only reliable source of information regarding His person and being, the Bible has much to
say about Him. But, what does the Bible actually teach, and how do the insights it gives square
with the many and varied beliefs, thoughts and ideas of the many and varied
churches/denominations which espouse them? Was He a man? Was He God? Was He God and
Man, at the same time? What was His view, or what did He have to say about Himself, in terms
of His humanity, deity, and relationship to God? Moreover, in the midst of unavoidable conflict,
whose word prevails, His, or the beliefs and normally ill-grounded opinions of His many
different churches and denominations? If He were a man, could He as such sin like all other
men? Knowing as we do that all cannot possibly be right, which church or denomination of
churches has „dibs‟ on Him?
Many have come to our website at www.biblestudyhour.net looking for and seeking knowledge
about this, for some, enigmatic but no less most fascinating of all historical figures. It was their
queries and concerns which lay the foundation for the topics and other issues of significance,
relative to the Man from Galilee, which will be discussed in the pages of this booklet.
Whereas the contents of this work can only be troubling to some, one can only pray that it will be
a source of comfort, strength, and encouragement to the few who truly wish to know and see
Jesus as God portrays Him in the pages of His Word, the Bible (as opposed to the way He is
portrayed in the media, by the churches, and the evangelical world view).
A synopsis of the arguments and concerns entertained by the aforementioned teacher (along
with a few more insights) can be found in Appendix B, which was originally intended to be a
A Handbook on the Man from Galilee
The Mystery: Christ Jesus Preface
vii
proposal or pitch to some major publisher. These, in the main form the basis and the impetus for
this work. While much has been added, the platform, one might say, for the body of the book is
a letter written shortly after the broadcasts of the topics at hand. I have chosen to leave it in the
style of the original letter, although the parts have been reshuffled, and I had begun to remove
the name of the broadcast or the name of its host, but in the end elected to leave whatever
remains, in. The first names, however, of the callers will be left in.
Another "bone of contention", also delivered by that same "teacher" earlier this year, on January
8th, has to do with the topic of the "unpardonable sin". What is it? Who can commit it?
Again, his understanding was biblically unsound, yet I am confident that by God's grace all
issues and concerns surrounding this "sin" can and will be resolved satisfactorily and biblically
within the pages of this book.
I pray now that the Almighty, All wise God of all the heavens and of the earth will bless
mightily, the pinning and reading of this book, to the saving of many souls that are unsaved and
to the enlightenment, strengthening, and stability of many who are saved but not secure in their
understanding of these (and other) issues of concern and importance. In accordance with the will
and mind of our Lord and Savior Jesus. Amen.
A Handbook on the Man from Galilee