• Tag Archives Malachi
  • “Tracking Kings”

    CaptureThe Motive behind “Tracking Kings”

    A number of years ago, a pastor in Grand Blanc, Michigan, invited me to teach a series of systematic crunched down surveys on the books of the Bible. In the books of Kings and Chronicles, an amazing fascination with the kings of the old divided kingdom of Israel became apparent. These four books quickly reminded me of difficulty of keeping the kingdoms and the kings separated in the Old Testament narrative.
    After conducting a brief survey with a number of believers in several churches in Michigan and Indiana, I was shocked to learn that the majority viewed Kings and Chronicles boring, too difficult to understand, unimportant, let alone attempting to grasp in a study. Yet, in spite of my findings, God had placed a desire in all their hearts to know about these nineteen kings and one queen.
    The kings of Israel and Judah are important for three fundamental reasons. (1) The lineage of the promised Messiah descends through the kings of Judah. (2) From the end of II Chronicles to the last word in Malachi is a span of twenty-five books. Everything in these books in one way or another was, and still is, connected by God, directly or indirectly, to the era of the kings. (3) God says, “All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (II Tim. 3:16-17) Thus, we must accept the fact that this verse includes the books of Kings and Chronicles!

    The Mission of “Tracking Kings”

    God used the above discoveries to plant a two-fold burden in my heart. (1) There was the need of constructing a simplified systematic fashion of studying the kings using a blend of harmony and commentary in an easy to grasp format. (2) To illustrate how the books of Kings and Chronicles define themselves, utilizing a close as possible timeline. (3) Considering such a study, it became apparent that a yoke be present coupling the necessity of Biblical reflecting Old Testament history with the lives and times of these leaders to such a point that each reader could easily be able to discover twenty-first century personal applications.
    It is in these most important inspired Old Testament books that God quickly reminds us of man’s unchangeable sinful nature and of His loving, merciful, and gracious offer to reach down to him. God still loves to equip and move with His people – making history!

    The Manner of “Tracking Kings”

    1.- establishment of a chronological timeline
    2.- written in an easily understandable manner
    3.- plenty of informative end notes
    4. – define proper names when first used
    5.- utilize maps and charts as needed
    6.- generous quotes to broaden perspectives
    7. – challenging questions for the reader to dig deeper
    8. – assist the reader to note value of I & II Kings and I & II Chronicles
    9.- structure so as book can be used as a self-study guide, reference book, or a textbook
    10. – insert as much text as needed providing convenience the reader
    11.- a guide assisting the reader whereby he or she may meet the supreme KING

    The Menu of “Tracking kings”

    1.- 25 chapters.
    2. – 2 fundamental parts
    a. – “Trail Begins” – quick over view – of 1021 years.
    b. – “The Split in the Trail” – chapters 9-25 – covering 387 years.
    3.– time line of entire book – B.C.1996 to B.C.588 or 1,408 years
    4.- 143 questions
    5.- 179 end notes
    6. – bibliography of 56 books & 4 web sites.
    7. – four indexes
    8. – 460 pages

    Availability

    Although available from Barnes& Noble, Amazon, and I Tunes, may I suggest buying directly from me rllroger1948@gmail.com  roger@rogerluther.com or the publisher  – tel: 864.836.4111 ext. 104 (the publisher’s office)   fax: 864.610.8047    sspillman@truepotentialmedia.com   or   https://www.facebook.com/TruePotentialMedia  for  at $19.99 plus shipping and handling.    Digital copies are now available from the publisher, Amazon, or iTunes books. The cost is $9.99.

     

    New Luther coat of arms #2


  • Tracking Kings

     Roger Luther has plunged himself into deep water to examine the difficult to reconcile stories of the kings of Israel. When others avoid the subject, Luther pursues it. This volume will help any who are curious.” Paige Patterson, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas.Front Cover

    Dr. Patterson’s kind words are addressing “Tracking Kings.” In this second edition, you will discover many changes for the book, as well as for the casual reader, scholar, or researcher. My heart’s desire was to bath everything in prayer, recheck Scriptural accuracy, and then deal with accordingly. This second and final work will be available to purchase in a few weeks or less. Some of the changes: 1. Dr. Bragg of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan (retired) meticulously reproof read the work. 2. I personally prefer footnotes, but due to fact that so many of mine are lengthy in text, details, and quotes, it became essential to convert them to end-notes. 3. This book has four indexes – a conventional one, a chronological time line, Scriptural references, and Scripture inserted within the narrative. 4. This upgraded volume is in soft back to assist in keeping the cost down to $19.99 plus s&h. 5. “Tracking Kings” will also be available in a number of electronic editions. This second edition, of over 460 pages, will be available from the publisher (True Potential Publishing), Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and from me.
    If this is your first encounter with “Tracking Kings, Please permit me re-introduce it.
    My name is Roger Luther and a number of years ago God gave me a burden that grew into a manuscript and eventually into a published work by True Potential Publishing. This, then, 412-page hardback, was entitled “Tracking Kings.” This bulk of book is about the Old Testament Kings with primary focus being on the kings and one queen of the divided kingdoms following the death of King Solomon. The work is a product of almost five years of detailed research. My greatest paradigm in assembling the manuscript pivoted upon the following proposition: from the end of II Chronicles, to the last word in Malachi, God connected practically every book, directly or indirectly, to the era of the kings.
    As a student in the mid 70’s, I will never forget the extreme difficulties I experienced with trying to work through Kings and Chronicles, especially after the death of King Solomon. From feed- back, casual conversations, and observations, I firmly believe that many believers, many of whom are students in Bible colleges, institutes, universities, and even in seminaries often struggle with the books of Kings and Chronicles. My deepest prayer is that this work, in some small way, will become a tool to all in God’s service, especially those who are sitting where I once sat.

    My objectives and guidelines
    1. the establishment of a chronological timeline
    2. to write in an easily understandable manner
    3. season the book with plenty of footnotes – providing assistance and additional information
    4. define proper names when first used
    5. insert maps and charts as needed
    6. use a generous amount of quotes to broaden perspectives
    7. insert essay-type chapter questions to challenge the reader to dig deeper
    8. to assist the reader in the value of studying I & II Kings and I & II Chronicles in a chronological manner
    9. structure the book in such a fashion that it can be used as a self-study guide, reference book, or textbook
    10. insert Scripture as needed in order to assist the reader in the narrative, instead of just providing references
    11. conclude by guiding the reader to a place where he or she may meet the real supreme KING, if they have not already done so.

    Fundamental statistics within “Tracking Kings”

    1. 25 chapters
    2. Part one, chapters 1-8, overviews a span of 1021 years.
    3. Part two (chapters 9-25) covers 387 years.
    4. The time frame is from B.C.1996 to B.C.588 or 1,408 years
    5. 143 essay-type questions
    6. 179 end-notes, adding supplemental and documented material to the narrative
    7. 56 books and 4 web sites in bibliography
    8. 25 maps, charts & diagrams

    If you feel this is something you, your church, college, university, seminary, friends, or library may benefit from, please contact me at Rllroger1948@gmail.com , Roger@rogerluther.com, Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, or the publisher Steve@tppress.com and we will be delighted to address your questions or reserve you a copy as soon as the 2nd edition comes off the presses.
    I will post again when I receive my first shipment.

    Remember what Timothy said ?  “All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2Ti 3:16-17 

    Thank you very much for your time,
    Dr. R. L. Luther