Gen1
by Richard Pontefract
Leavitt Peak Press


"The biggest difference in my understanding is I have taken the Bible literally."

Author Pontefract has diligently studied the Holy Bible and here shares his enlivening viewpoint of its true meaning. An early sampling from his richly conceived thesis concerns the concept of predestination, noting God was often surprised, saddened, or upset by human failings. This indicates that he did not foresee those events, though, as the author is careful to remind readers, God is, as he himself states, "the door" to salvation. Another commonly held religious belief is that God created the world in six earthly days, whereas Pontefract asserts that each phase of creation would have taken as long as one thousand years. He also shares his understanding that God does not watch over "every flower that blossoms and every child born." Instead, he simply lets events "take their course." The notion of Hell as a certain destination for all sinners immediately after death is questioned, as is the presumption that one should have only one wife or husband, since many biblical characters, such as Jacob, Esau, and David, had many partners.

Throughout this detailed thesis, supported by numerous quotations from scripture, Pontefract steadily maintains his viewpoint with both logic and verve. Raised in a Christian family, Pontefract, who could not fully accept the doctrines being taught in churches, read three complete Bible versions, coming to believe that if scripture is taken as written, it clearly conflicts with many church doctrines. The contentions he establishes for thoughtful readers provide strong credence and light humor, based upon a wide range of religious and historical writings and opinions. He concludes, as this work sets forth, that rationality must be the bedrock of biblical truth. Pontefract offers his dynamic ideations for others to contemplate as they seek greater understanding of the way to worship and live as thoughtful Christians.

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