From the Inside Flap:
Mankind has a problem and you just might be part of it! Placing the human intellect on a pedestal and worshipping its potential is the core of "Ideolatry" and can severely diminish man's ability to be completely fulfilled.
Perspectives and observations are key elements to our understanding of the world around us. The sophistication of the technology of today can overwhelm us with a sense that all of the answers to our questions about "life" and our purpose are answered in the truth of science and technology. Albert Einstein demonstrated that perspective and observation are relative and can lead to different versions of truth. However, is there a "Higher Truth" that goes beyond what we experience through relative perspectives and observations?
We will examine the thread that connects Genesis Chapter 1 Verse 1, where we see the beginning of the Biblical creation account, and the end of the book of Revelation in which we see a new earth and a completion of this small slice of eternity. We will also carefully consider the motivations, thoughts and intents that are revealed when the biblical account is taken as a whole.
This book does not pretend to create or establish any absolutes that have not already been revealed throughout the ages. What it does offer is an attempt to be non-religious and non-traditional in its perspective, breaking away from the thoughts of man and seeking an understanding of a "Higher" or "Absolute Truth." This perspective is based on texts of the Bible, giving consideration to the scope of scripture and the manner and intent in which the God of the Bible deals with Man, His ultimate creation.
I invite you to temporarily suspend your "traditional" belief system, your personal prejudices and your religious or non-religious upbringing and be open to understanding who the God of the Bible actually says He is, rather than what and who men say that He is. It is a journey of enlightenment, revelation, excitement, understanding, joy, faith and change. Revelation will be gained from enlightenment, understanding will lead to excitement and faith and joy will increase from a change in the way you know The One who made you and His design for your life.
In 1976, Dr. Rich Masek, DDS, MTh. achieved his degree in Dentistry from the University of Southern California. He recognized that his dental career was important because he knew that God had directed his path. He applied to only one dental school where there were 3000 applicants for 120 student positions. He continued to study God's Word and develop a deepening relationship with Him over the years as he pursued excellence in his profession. In 1975, Rich married Sheri, his beautiful wife of 40 years and inherited a ready-made family of 3 girls whom he later adopted. Realizing his responsibility as the spiritual head of his new family, he began to pursue deeper knowledge of God's Word. His gift of teaching began to take shape through home Bible studies which he taught for over 20 years. He also became involved in local churches, played keyboards and served in media ministries doing video and streaming internet services.
Rich further developed his God-given gift for teaching. He became an international lecturer and book author on esthetic and computerized dentistry, devoting a significant part of his professional career to teaching and the advancement of high technology in dentistry. It was during this time, while also teaching and developing Bible studies in his home, that God gave him the inspiration to write this book.
At Sheri's prompting, Rich joined the classes of Life Christian University at their church. Three years later in 2010, Dr. Rich Masek was awarded his Master's Degree in Theology! Balancing the time for all of the demand of caring for patients, family, professional teaching and university studies made it a bit challenging to pursue the calling of this book, but like Israel inherited the Promised Land in Exodus 23:29-30, by little and by little, it was finally completed.
Rich likes to spend time with Sheri, their two Yorkies, 3 daughters, 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren when he is not being Dr. Masek, providing patient care or busy writing a book. Now that the book is complete, maybe he will have a bit more free time. However, who knows how long it will be before the next project starts!
From the Back Cover:
Who is God and what is He up to?
How does He operate and what does He want?
Is He testing you? Is He judging you?
Does God allow bad things to happen?
What is God's wrath and how does He act on it?
Does He change His mind?
How do you see Him?
What is Truth and who defines it?
What is Ideolatry? Why should I care?
These may be some of the most important questions that any of us ever ask. Many people conclude that God does whatever He wants because He is sovereign. He also must be responsible for everything that happens because He is in charge, but is God responsible for the actions of an individual who exercises his or her free will?
Together, let's find answers to these questions and more as we explore the Character and Nature of God.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.