\NormalFont\ShortTitle{Introduction}
{\IMT General Introduction to One Unity Resource Bible
\par }{\IB \par }{\IP Introduction to One Unity Resource Bible – Written by Pastor Jed Cauffman
\par }{\IB \par }{\IP Dear Reader,
\par }{\IP Welcome to the One Unity Resource Bible (OUR Bible, OURb). This labor of love is a product of ten years total, research and application by author Thomas Robinson and multiple volunteer helpers. This study Bible reflects Thomas’ devotion to YHWH, and his love for teaching people to find both Bible and culture accessable to their everyday lives. He encourages people to develop a functional knowledge of the Bible to connect topics and discover for yourself!
\par }{\IB \par }{\IOT Intention and Design
\par }{\IP OUR Bible aims to provide you with resources to do your own study of the Scriptures. Focusing on Facts and Context, related topics are cross-referenced and set apart by the text formatting. Allowing “Facts and Context” to move you forward in your study. Every effort has been made to remove as much bias as possible in the work. Any bias that remains in the work is identified and owned by the author. It is realized that every reader brings their own unique story to the study of Scripture—including cultural, linguistic, interpretation, and denominational slants. This is the way of all people—it is neither good nor bad—we need only to admit and own our unique biases.
\par }{\IP If there were only one way to study or interpret the Bible, there would be much less to learn and learning would cease after a point. But, as it is, the Bible allows for multiple facets of interpretation. It’s comparable to a multifaceted diamond and looking from different angles to see a unique and consistent display of truth. Like the multiple layers of an onion that grow deep from the core expanding outward. Judaism teaches that there are Four Levels of Interpretation; the Bible is like a multifaceted diamond. (For more discussion, see Appendix “PaRDeS PaRaDiSe: The Four Jewish Levels of Interpretation”.)
\par }{\IB \par }{\IOT Guiding Principles
\par }{\IP Having stated the above, it is best for you to know at the outset these important presuppositions which guide this work:
\par }{\ILI 1. Jesus is a Rabbi, meaning a Jewish Teacher. He was and is a Teacher within a Jewish context.
\par }{\ILI 2. God does not contradict his own identity nor his Word. God is consistent. God’s Word is consistent.
\par }{\ILI 3. Rabbi Yeshua and Rabbi Saul (also called Paul) taught directly from the Jewish Scriptures.
\par }{\ILI 4. The Bible is held as the final authority, above people’s changing opinions and/or interpretation biases.
\par }{\ILI 5. The Messianic Prophecies are presented as unbiased as the author is capable of. Proposed fulfillments are not manipulated to fit context, to the best of the author’s knowledge and intention. The author sees the prophecies as being fulfilled and cannot deny this bias, only present the facts as unbiasedly as possible.
\par }{\IB \par }{\IOT Features are literally In-Text
\par }{\IP OUR Bible is designed as a Resource Guide within the Biblical text. You are provided with a critically selected portion of Bible texts that covers Torah, Prophecy, Praise, Wisdom, History, and Gospels. Notes are referenced from Jewish Writings, straight-forward textual analysis, and cultural history relevant to the text.
\par }{\IP Some key features include:
\par }{\IP • Messianic Prophecy, 440+ reliable references with accessable descriptions. This includes Messianic Prophecies from both Christian
{\WJ{(MP)
}} and Rabbinical
{\WJ{(MPr)
}} sources.
{\WJ{(Maroon Letter in text.)
}}
\par }{\IP • Key Verse, where the New Covenant quotes from the Old Covenant.
{\BD{(Bold in text.)}}
\par }{\IP • The 613 Commands found in Books of Moses categorized inside the 10 Commandments of Exodus 20. Footnotes identify (\#1-10.\#1-613) (Reference and any relevant context)
\par }{\IP • Literal Translation of the Names of God, and some people and places. Name [Literal Translation in Brackets].
\par }{\IP • Significant words transliterated from the original texts with literal meaning.
{\IT{Word in Italics}} ·Literal meaning Inside Dots·.
\par }{\IP • The 52 Weeks Parasha Reading Schedule in text with parallel Prophets and Gospel readings. Located inside the five Books of Moses.
\par }{\IP • Principal of Two-Way cross reference. Where footnotes and citations appear on both ends of the referenced verses.
\par }{\IB \par }{\IP Multiple lists, facts, and context notes are provided directly in the text so people don’t need a second book to look up reference verses. The resource guide is
{\ND{in
}} the text. Therefore the text itself is less relevant than the footnotes and editorial comments that are being made. OUR Bible is using the public domain WEB version, based on 1901 American Standard Version. Some changes have been made to the text for the purpose of a more Jewish understanding to certain verses. The resources provided are more important than the translation itself. Our desire is to produce a resource that is consistent, and cross-references subjects two ways.
\par }{\IOT Audience
\par }{\IP The intended audience for OUR Bible includes but is not limited to: Gentile Christians; Messianic Gentiles, Messianic Jews; Rabbinic Jews. This is intended to build common discussion ground. Also included are people with interest to investigate matters of Biblical knowledge regardless of background.
\par }{\IP Its design is intended to be accessable to regular people and stimulate self-directed studies and research, utilizing the facts and context provided. This is not a canned study book that tells you the answer, answers should lead to more questions seeking more depth of knowledge on a topic. Use of the OUR Bible could be considered like an alternative to attending a seminary.
\par }{\IB \par }{\IP Any serious student of Old Covenant or New Covenant will find the OUR Bible an invaluable tool to unlock the many-faceted wonders of the Bible. May God bless you as you make use of this work!
\par }{\IB \par }{\IP Pastor Jed Cauffman, 1st Presbyterian Church, September 2016
\par }{\IB \par }{\IE \par }
