 |
Using Bible verses offered daily in The Upper Room, a Methodist publication, author Berry focuses on the unification of the Church by the correct understanding of Christian scripture. Berry styles this unification initiative as The Prototokos (Greek for “firstborn”) Church. In 530 entries numbered in reverse order, the author presents the verses obtained and then explains them with his terminology: in general, “I” or “he” is Jesus Christ, and “you” and “your” refers to “WE in the Body of Christ.” Following his explication using these terms, Berry encourages “Methodist Men” to follow the instruction implied in the scriptural passage. For example, enter the door, be converted, and accept the doctrine always by the same means: baptism by immersion in water. Berry states that such baptism is central to the gospel, and not believing the gospel constitutes eternal sin.
Berry doesn’t flinch from providing his readers with personally revealing information, such as how he came to his understanding regarding full immersion baptism. He candidly recounts how, at a low point in his life, he absorbed the knowledge that Jesus did not lie, that all scriptures must agree without contradiction, and that God is eternally the same. He then shares how he had a dream that compelled him to purchase a horse trough, place it in a local church he had not attended before, and convince the minister there to perform his immersion baptism. This remarkable experience led Berry to start a Bible study on Facebook, enabling Methodists and others in any part of the world to share in the daily messages. It is clear that the author has pondered each Bible verse to place his unique interpretation on it. His book might provide a freshly compelling subject for Bible study groups, especially among Berry’s targeted audience of Methodist men.