There is a vivid memory I have from almost 50 years ago, when I was in third grade, of my parents returning home from Cambridge, Massachusetts, where my father, the primary author of this book, had successfully defended his dissertation. Coming from the garage into the basement and shaking with exhaustion and undoubtedly also tremendous relief, he held his head in his arms and poured out pent-up emotions. Since to children our parents seem all powerful, this was somewhat frightening and certainly unexpected, even with the reassurance of Mom standing right beside him, as she always has. So, with innocent confusion, I asked, “What exactly is a PhD?” I remember the question only because I very clearly remember his answer, one that has echoed in my mind at various times throughout my life. He said, “It's just something that lets you know how little you really know”.

Well, from that day forward, my father has never stopped his scholarly work in pursuit of more knowledge and in a quest for more insightful understanding of the Bible. He brings to his writing – and this book – an accumulation of knowledge that is to be cherished, not just for its quantity, but also for its quality. Though too humble to openly share his accomplishments, he offers a perspective about “what the Bible says” based not only on years of dedicated study and scholarship, but also on an education that is rare today.