Jonah: The Seed
Provoking the Gospel of John
by
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This book has always been called The Handbook for Armageddon. Over its' five year evolution from a 'companion to the study of John' to a theological treatise to its present form, the name never changed. It was always going to be The Handbook for Armageddon. But, as I reworked and re-prayed this text it occurred to me that this book is not about the end, at all. It's about a beginning.
And like the seed that fell on good soil, it is my hope that it will
grow and multiply in your heart as the God who loves us all
enough to send His Son as our propitiation has done in mine.
"For behold, the day comes, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its' wings. You shall go forth leaping like calves from the stall." Malachi 4:1-21
I must tell you that I have no particular insight into God or his workings and I do not consider myself a prophet or a gifted human being. I am, however, a 'provoker'. The attribute of provocation is found nowhere on any list of gifts given by God or the Holy Spirit. But it's a gift; just as anything we offer to God can be used as a gift. My Jonah and I hope you will be provoked; provoked into considering God and your relationship with Him; provoked to search scripture to disprove me; or better yet, provoked to prayer in search of answers for questions you might have. This form, this give and take between scripture and life, this application of Gods' word to the present situation and the resulting insights are a form of the Jewish Midrash. I am convinced that God makes His will and direction known in this process.
God will be with you as you question, as He always is, with comfort, wisdom and Grace.
For those reading Jonah for the first time, I include a brief interchange between God and Jonah that demonstrates the nature of this prophet from another era and why I relate to him so strongly.
Those of you familiar with my first book, Jonah: A Prophet Out of Time, you may find this introductory section redundant. May Gods' Grace fill you with all joy in believing.
| Shalom, Jonah |
"I have said all this to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do this because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when the hour comes you may remember that I told you of them." John 16: 1-4
| Jonah Amittai: |
I like Jonah: he's belligerent, indignant and has a bad case of
'judgmental attitude'. I know these are not usually great
characteristics to admire, but his flaws make him tangible. I can
relate to him as a human being.
1All scripture is quoted from The Holy Bible: Revised Standard Version, Thomas Nelson & Son, 1952 unless indicated otherwise.
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About the Book
I must tell you that I have no particular insight into God or his workings and I do not consider myself a prophet or a gifted human being. I am, however, a 'provoker'. My Jonah and I hope you will be provoked; provoked into considering God and your relationship with Him; provoked to search scripture to disprove me; or better yet, provoked to prayer in search of answers for questions you might have.
This book contains what I've come to understand is the key to spirituality; relationship with the Father through the Son and the Holy Spirit. A relationship based upon the word of God and the acceptance of that word as absolute.
It is also an enlargement on the theme of our responsibility in being a vessel for Christ. It looks at how we aren't, and how we can be, a part of the Church Universal spread out through all eternity, regardless of our denomination.
May the Holy Spirit enliven your heart and mind as you journey with Jonah through this Gospel.
Shalom, Steven S. Bovia (Jonah)
About the Author
I've wandered far from Christ's love and wide of the mark that He establishes for those saved by His Grace. The agnosticism of a futile war in Southeast Asia, the violence of life on the streets and the destructiveness of selfish passions have provided me with a compelling insight into His love. For through it all, His forgiveness, compassion and promise never failed. My Shepherd left the flock and searched the thickets for me, just as He does for each and every wandering soul. So I write of God and our conversations in the context of a belligerent prophet named Jonah. My secular and religious education, along with thirty-five years of work as a layman in the church, gives theological and spiritual formation to these discussions. God has blessed these efforts; including a chance to be a contributing author to Kathy Collard Millers' book An Expressive Heart and the gift of several hundred readers of my weekly meditations on www.Jonahsway.com.
I love my wife of thirty-five years, long to see my four grown children more than I do and relish my grand children with their enlivening spirits and indomitable love for life. To them and to my friends, shalom.