Ever since college years when the author decided to follow Jesus Christ and be saved through the salvation of His shed blood, he had accepted the Bible as the Word of God. Never, even considered doing an investigation into whether it was any thing but the complete and inspired Word of God. The author had been taught this by those who were saved before him, by those who were more experienced in the ways of the Lord, and by those who had spent many years in training and education concerning the Word of God.

      The Bible was a basis for the author’s belief. It was/is the source of answers to his wonderments about the meaning of man, meaning of life, a person’s movement into eternity and many more things. The author used the Word of God as a reference for raising children, marriage relationship, interacting with neighbors and fellow Christians, for direction on occupation performance, interaction with the local governments, state governments, and federal governments.

      Few items went by where the Word of God was not investigated.

      However, as years went along, questions about church matters and interpretations of the Word of God began to pile up in the unsolved category. Even these unsolved wonderments did not launch the author into any serious digging into the real reason for the difference of theology, difference of opinions, difference of purpose, difference in church doctrine, difference of implementations, etc.

      Many times, the differences were considered another person’s way of looking at the Scriptures, or another organization’s way of developing their theology. For example, more emphasis may be placed on elder organization if the group setting up the movement, had a serious and unpleasant experience with a strong pastor arrangement. Another example would be outreach or the need for it or too much emphasis on it, the list could go on and on.

      Well, perhaps, the author started to dig deeper when his family began to be affected by the many different aspects and options of the church circle. The author’s family had been in several churches. Most of his time was spent in what is considered the Protestant circle. One moves for a variety of reasons – profession took the author to many different locations in the USA. Sometimes, the age blend did not fit the family well, or the available Sunday School classes were limited. One might say that the author attended many places or not so many depending on the view point. The author and his wife were always committed to the Teachings of Jesus Christ, but not committed to the teachings of man. There were always reasons for moving, some acceptable to the church management and some unacceptable, but never for unacceptable behavior.  The author believes that his family and he were moving in the correct direction as numerous churches were involved. There was never any doubt that the author and his wife always desired to serve Jesus Christ and be active in a serving church.

      The places attended were primarily Methodist, Foursquare, Assembly of God, Potter’s House, Missionary Alliance, and Baptist. The author also grew up as a Catholic in the Midwest and in recent years spent some time in the Fundamental Independent Baptists. Perhaps this history is to show that the author and his family have put forth plenty of effort to be where they believed the Lord would have them, or where they believed the work for the Lord Jesus Christ was most effective.

      The history and the experiences listed above are not used to present the following review of the Bible and yet they are part of it, because without church life experiences, the author would not be writing this book. The following review will relate to all the churches listed and to others not attended, but the review is not intended to be derogatory toward any particular religious movement. The term “religious” is intentionally used and if one reads to the end of this presentation, that person will understand why the “religious” term is used with no regret. For the presentation of this book will show that all structured religious systems are set up to control the teaching presented to the Christian masses.

      Here is a little bit about the author.

      The author grew up a farm boy in North Dakota. The family farm had all farm life one can think of except for sheep and goats. His father and mother raised small grains for cash crop and to feed the livestock. The farm had about 15 milk cows which were milked morning and evening. The earlier system was to separate the cream (butterfat) from the milk. The cream was sold for cash and the “separated” skimmed milk went to calves, chickens, and hogs. Many of our milking neighbors moved to a system where they sold all the milk without separating, but the author’s father stayed with the older way.

      The farm also had stock cows with water tanks, hay to make and feed, stock calves, and barns to clean. Fences to mend. Too much to list.

      The farm also had about 15 farrow hogs which had their young in March and April. Then the hogs were raised for fall sale as slaughter hogs. Of course the hogs required feeding and cleaning and special attention during the birthing time.

      The author’s father was one of the few farmers to continue using draft horses. They were used mainly in the winter time to feed the cattle and clean the barns. Looking back, it appears that he grew up with the horses in the field and yard and was more comfortable harnessing the horses in the wintertime, than starting the carbureted tractors. Yes, this was all before the trouble free fuel injection systems. Though from the author’s birth date, it would appear that he should have been well into the machine age, the family farm provided all members with much of the earlier manual labor age.

      The farm family consisted of 11 children along with father and mother. Seven boys and four girls made up the eleven. The author is fourth oldest with an older brother and two older sisters.

      Perhaps, too much is written about the early years, but it is the author’s background. It may or may not have had impact on preparing him to write this book, but he is inclined to think that it did. There were many enjoyable times those years and it is quite enjoyable to write about the early years.

      The author was not a perfect child, but he would like to think (and perhaps incorrectly) that he was less difficult than the average earthling. The farm life did provide an opportunity to learn, to do as told, or as expected with daily chores and seasonal endeavors.

      After high school, the author went to college, because his parents told me to do so. He spent two years at the nearby junior college and received his engineering degree from North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota.

      The short trip down memory lane has been made brief for the reader.  This brief history has been included to show that the author came from a large family on a busy farm and went to college as directed. The author is not sure when he began his attempt to figure out the things of this world, but he does know for a long time he was an active participant and worker and enjoyer of what life and Jesus Christ and friends and this country have to offer.

      The author’s history is to point out that during his early years the young person was to do good, obey, comply with rules, be pleasant and hospitable, raise your children in the fear and respect of the Lord and life should go favorably, barring unforeseen accidents and catastrophe.

      Along with this was to pleasantly support the church of one’s choice and there are many choices to be had. Well, not all has gone well in the lives around the author and he began to wonder why if a person lives right in a Christian nation things should not go well. Thus, a search was started and this book will describe the findings.

      Hence, here the author is now investigating the book of Luke and comparing it to the other Gospels.