When You Know the Author

I’m reading a book right now, a wonderful historical novel set in the early 1800s.

The author is a young woman I knew when she was a child and teen. In fact, my kids watched a Disney movie in her home, along with her and her siblings, when all of them were small. She grew up to be a beautiful young woman, married, and had children of her own. Though I had seen pictures of her wedding and her family from time to time, we lost touch personally for a while.

I knew this author had written one book. To my surprise, she has written three novels, one soon to be released in a second language, and one yet to be published.

Now, I’m reading her first novel. (I’ll review it when I’m done, but I can already assure you it’s a very good book.)

What made me want to buy and read this particular book?

I know the author.

My friend has, frankly, surprised me with the content. You see, I know something of her life experience. Her excellent research and knowledge of things not in her own life have amazed me. Her command of languages and her even treatment of all the people groups in her novel did not surprise me. You see, I know the author.

Some people are hesitant to read the Bible. It could be for many reasons.

• Maybe they’re afraid of what they might find.
• Maybe they think it’s too complicated, and they might not understand it.
• Maybe they’re just not ready to have an Authority in their life.
• Maybe they are interested, but they have no idea where to start reading.
• Maybe they would feel more comfortable having the Bible explained by the clergy instead of reading it for themselves.

Whatever the reason, I think maybe the biggest one is this:

They don’t know the Author.

• When you know the Author, it’s a joy to read His Word.
• When you know the Author, the Bible comes alive for you.
• When you know the Author, there are happy surprises in it, each day.
• When you know the Author, you understand His background—His eternal background—and what He has to say carries more weight for you.

Do you know the Author?

Would you like to?

If you’re acquainted with Him, would you like to know Him better?

Get into His Book. Read it.

If you don’t know where to start, a good place is with one of the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. I personally think John is a good one to start with. Its emphasis is on the deity of Jesus. It picks seven miracles from the many He did, and it’s a good introduction to the Bible.

Another great book to read is Genesis. You will read about the foundational truths: the creation of the world, the first sin, the plan of salvation, what is marriage, the universal Flood, the dispersion of languages and people groups, and the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.

If you’re already reading the Bible, enjoying getting to know its Author, I’m glad for you. If you don’t know the Author, He wants to know you. 

He already loves you.

For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

(John 3:16)

(My friend, the human author, is April Gardner, and I just finished her book Wounded Spirits, to be reviewed very soon.)