I am mentioning all this because of its importance for understanding the message of this book, which is an exposition of Scripture. I believe in the Bible as the word of God not merely as a point of creedal dogma, but, having lived by its teaching and discovering through this process that the Bible “works,” I know it is the truth. As Jesus said to his fellow Jews, “If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority” (Jn.7:17, ESV). And indeed I have found God’s word to be absolutely true.