Essays on Selected Christian Topics
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These essays involve biblical topics which have special meaning to the author for one reason or another. The story of Noah is included because of a long fascination with the flood and the chapter on faith was precipitated by a study of the relationship of grace, faith, and works in the salvation process. It is hoped that all have been presented without bias, but it should be understood that all call for personal study and decisions based upon the guidance of the reader by the Holy Spirit. In determining a doctrinal stance or a course of behavior two cardinal rules should be followed. The first is to let your conscience be your guide and the second is to let a thorough study of the Word guide your conscience,
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About the Book
These essays involve biblical topics which have special meaning to the author for one reason or another. The story of Noah is included because of a long fascination with the flood and the chapter on faith was precipitated by a study of the relationship of grace, faith, and works in the salvation process. It is hoped that all have been presented without bias, but it should be understood that all call for personal study and decisions based upon the guidance of the reader by the Holy Spirit. In determining a doctrinal stance or a course of behavior two cardinal rules should be followed. The first is to let your conscience be your guide and the second is to let a thorough study of the Word guide your conscience, I wish to thank the reader for considering my point of view and to urge you to weigh carefully what is presented to assure that God is leading you. If my point of view helps anyone in their effort to be led by God’s Spirit to a fuller understanding of His Word, I will be grateful. Be assured, however, that I claim no credentials to biblical scholarship other than from my studies from standard versions of the Bible (KJV and NIV) with help from Cruden’s Concordance and Webster’s Dictionary.
About the Author
Raymond E. Isbell received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and mathematics, a master’s degree in organic chemistry, and a doctor of philosophy degree in physical and analytical chemistry. He served as a research chemist for seven years with studies mostly in solid rocket propellants and slow-release nitrogen fertilizers. He taught chemistry at the undergraduate level for over thirty years and served as professor and department head for seventeen of those years. During his career, he was active in several scientific and scholastic organizations including the American Chemical Society and the Alabama Academy of Science and taught several chemistry courses, including his specialties in physical chemistry and analytical chemical instrumentation. His hobbies are gardening, plant propagation, and woodworking. At the age of twelve, Dr. Isbell was baptized into Christ at the Spring Valley Church of Christ in Colbert County, Alabama. That small country congregation made a lasting impact on him as he observed the open atmosphere in the adult Bible classes in which diverse views were discussed and tolerated without rancor. It was also well ahead of the social and civil curve of the time as black visitors were welcomed to the services, and black and white Christians shared meals and prayed together. During his career, Dr. Isbell has served several congregations in the capacity of member, deacon, elder, and guest lecturer. It is his sincere belief that in the not-too-distant future, all Christians must put aside the luxury of quibbling over incidentals and concentrate on saving Christianity from a world bent on destroying it. Dr. Isbell has been married to Shirley Anne James Isbell for over fifty years, and they have a son and a daughter.