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Just as with many things in life, it is not enough to simply read the Bible to have a deep understanding of it. You must also analyze what you have read. We are quite fortunate that the most important parts of the Bible are the easiest to understand; the Bible’s central message of sin and redemption by sacrifice can be easily understood by even a child (see 1 Peter 2:2). But there is much more to the Bible than just the gospels; there are 62 other books yearning to be understood. Almost everyone thinks they are experts on scripture but few actually are experts. If you wish to be among the latter instead of the former, I invite you to read this commentary. It is the result of countless hours of studying scriptures, praying for understanding, and carefully reviewing past commentaries by other authors. By the time I have finished this commentary, I believe it will be the most comprehensive ever written.
I would feel remiss in my duty if I did not offer an introduction of myself and an explanation of my agenda. My name is John Everett. I am a Christian; I believe that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God. I do not believe that the Bible needs to be re-written. It needs to be reread. I believe that God and His word are always correct (when properly translated, anyway). Any time that a person disagrees with the Bible, it is the person’s opinion that must change. In writing this commentary, I have made the utmost efforts to ensure that what I am writing is correct. Know this well: I am not trying to push my opinion onto you. My goal is to change my opinion so that it matches the truth, and then push the truth onto you. I abhor bias in all its forms. I do whatever I can to challenge my beliefs and make sure that I change if need be. As soon as I find that something is incorrect, I stop believing it, and I demand the same of everyone else. No one ought to have any emotional attachment to their false beliefs, especially if such emotions impair proper judgment. While reading this commentary I am certain that you will read something you don’t like. When that happens, there will be three possibilities:
- You are wrong, in which case you need to get over it and stop being wrong.
- I am wrong, in which case you need to let me know so I can stop being wrong.
- We’re both wrong, in which case we need serious help.
All I can really say is, “Don’t be biased.” After that, it’s in God’s hands. With that having been said, let me reassure you that great pains have been taken to avoid any inaccuracies in my commentary. I truly, genuinely want to teach God’s word and help my brothers and sisters in Christ to have a deeper understanding of the Bible, and in turn deepen their relationship with Christ. And I want to convert any non-Christian who may happen to read this. That is my full agenda. I don’t mean to make any crackpot claims about a hidden prophetic code concerning first contact with space aliens, or a secret interpretation making myself the Messiah, or any other such garbage as cult founders are wont to do. I wish neither to add to nor take away from scripture (see Deuteronomy 4:2, Revelation 22:18–19). My goal is simply to explain what the Bible says, and to prove my claims with scripture and other evidence.
Without further ado, let us begin.
In the beginning God created Heaven and the Earth.
-Genesis 1:1
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