MEET THE AUTHOR
BY PASTOR H. MICHAEL ANDERSON
BURKESVILLE, KENTUCKY

No prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (11 Peter 1:20-21).

Angela spoke excitedly on the telephone, “Guess who I saw today? R.L. Stine, author of the book Goosebumps. A long line of children waited to buy his book and have him autograph it. They were all sold by the time we got there but I saw him and heard him talking to the others.”

A book fair at a nearby university was our family outing that Saturday. There were over sixty authors; some well-known and others who wrote as a hobby; and several hundred different books. We walked around, spoke to some of the writers and bought a few books. Being a family of readers and writers, it was a couple of hours well spent and inspired the girls to think about writing too.

The longest, loudest and most enthusiastic line was for R.L. Stine, a humorous children’s author. Angela and her friends shared his books and talked about his stories. They felt as if they knew him because of his stories and now she was telling about seeing him. She described the long line, his popularity, how he spoke and how he looked. Just seeing R.L. Stine made the trip worthwhile for her.

The author of the world’s most beloved book and all time seller, the Bible, is God himself. God does not want us to simply know of Him by reading His words. He is not satisfied with our recall of facts and quotation of Scripture. His real concern is: Have we met the Author?

God moved on prophets in the Old Testament so that people would know Him. At Bethlehem’s manger He wrapped Himself in flesh to make a personal introduction. Then, after His crucifixion and resurrection, He returned as the Holy Ghost so people can still meet Him today. Have you met the Author yet?

Why is it so important? God knows we will understand more of His book and take it more seriously once we know Him. The promises, the power, the passion just come alive once you meet the Author.

Don’t just read the Bible – meet the Author!