Who Says So?

About the Book

Jim’s second book, Who Says So seeks to maintain the integrity of the Scripture for its readers. During his practice of ministry, many church members as well as those outside the church frequently asked questions about the inspiration and authority of scripture. Many have indicated that they have heard ministers, especially those on television, declare that God is the author of the Bible and has conveyed every word penned by its’ many writers. That is the basis of their understanding of inspiration; therefore, the Bible must have absolute authority communicating what to believe and how to live or put into practice one’s belief. In today’s electronic mindset it would be like God using a smart phone and texting messages to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John to write concerning the teachings and practices of Jesus. In his practice of ministry Jim has helped church members and others see another perspective of inspiration and authority. In the quest to see that perspective he suggests read the scripture and let it speak for itself in reaching possible conclusions about inspiration and authority. When we allow the Bible to speak for itself in the context of the history of its development, we realize that the inspiring Spirit of God first touches the lives of its many authors and those bodies of believers who studied hundreds of manuscripts and finally favored 39 texts for the creation of the Old Testament and 27 texts for the New Testament. The spiritual presence of God also touches millions and millions of human beings as they read scripture or listen to a spoken message. In Jim’s book the focus of inspiration is not on the words of scripture but on the inspired storyteller’s central message. Also, there are many variances and some errors in many of the stories within the Bible. A storyteller is not dependent upon literary perfection to be inspired. If this were the case, we would not have the Bible today, so let the Bible speak for itself and be inspired and empowered by the spiritual presence of God and understand its message.

About the Author

Jim served as a Presbyterian Pastor for 41 years. He earned a Master of Divinity followed by a Doctorate in Ministry to equip him to serve Presbyterian Churches in Decatur, Alabama and Athens, Georgia. Jesus Christ and the Bible were his major resources to nurture both congregations in their spiritual growth and their mission. He has now been retired for twelve years, and he and his wife Jere are active in the ministry of Covenant Presbyterian Church and supportive of many service programs in the city of Athens. They spend a great deal of time with 16 grandchildren and also serve as volunteers during the summer at the Presbyterian Conference Center in Montreat, North Carolina. Since retirement, he has also enjoyed writing about events and experiences during his practice of ministry. His first book, Validating Committed Partnerships focuses upon his support for homosexual persons who seek a committed partnership or marriage with a person of the same gender and full membership in the Church.