From Dr. Fielder:
It is sad but true that many Christians know very little about their Bible. I would be the first to admit that none of us know all we could and should know about this precious book. Since our Bible is literally our manual for the operation of this very complex thing we are doing called living, it behooves every Christian to learn all he possibly can from it.
I am thoroughly convinced that ignorance of the Word of God is the reason one of the major cults in America boasts that many of their proselytes are former Baptists. According to the information I have read, the Watchtower Society claims forty percent of their members were converted from Baptist Churches. Notice what God says about the lack of Bible knowledge; “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” (Hosea 4:6)
The truth is, no doctrinally grounded Baptist would ever even be tempted to join any cult, especially this one.
There are many reasons that could be submitted for the appalling lack of knowledge of the Word of God that exists among the Christians of our day. One reason could be that many church members read their Bible only on Sunday morning when the pastor instructs the congregation to turn to a certain passage and follow along while he reads his text for his sermon. Without a doubt, I preach to some Christians every Sunday morning somewhere in this nation that have not read their Bible since last Sunday morning. Also, it could be that many feel they just do not have the time to get into the Bible and make a concentrated study of it. In addition, it could be that some Christians simply have no interest in the Word of God. They love singing and can endure preaching, but have no real desire to study the Scriptures. For these Christians it could be because they attend an assembly which has relegated the Word of God into insignificance and replaced it with entertainment.
However, to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, I believe it could be that many Christians have never learned how to study their Bible and therefore have resigned themselves to remain somewhat ignorant of its cardinal doctrines. I know that reading the Bible is first and foremost, and no Christian could ever learn the Scriptures if he does not read them, but reading alone is not enough. Having said this, I must add that there are some particular things that the Bible student can do that will help not only to research a particular subject, but to gain a working knowledge of the cardinal doctrines of our Bible. It is my intention to include things in this book that have helped me in my study of the Word of God for many years.
Learning how to study the Bible is what this book is about. I trust it will be a real help to the reader. Please keep in mind that I have not written from the standpoint of one who has arrived, but rather from one who still considers himself just a student.
~Dr. Gerald Fielder
76 pages.
