The Light Still Shines

About the Book

Preface

The author got the idea for this book while attending a multi-media pageant in December 1999. The theme of the pageant was “The Light Still Shines.” In less than a week he had the idea for the outline of the book in his mind. He then set out to learn more about the great Light that still shines for the benefit of all mankind.

Introduction

The author explains the meanings of three words used in the Scriptures to refer to the Almighty: “God,” “LORD,” and “Lord.” Understanding the meaning of these words, as used in the Scriptures, helps the serious Bible student in his or her study.

Chapter 1

The Nature of Light What is the physical nature of light? Light is such a common everyday phenomenon, yet scientists are still studying and trying to learn more about its nature.

Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation. Newton described it as an emission of particles. Huygens developed the theory that light travels by a wave motion. Scientists generally believe that these two theories complement each other. Research and experiments continue to yield more information about the nature of light. Next the author considers the spiritual nature of light. It also is a common everyday phenomenon. Christians experience it daily, if they are obedient to the Lord. Spiritual Light radiates from the central source of God’s eternal Triune Being. The closer you are to this source the brighter the Light will appear to you and the more you’ll benefit from it.

Chapter 2

The First Light

We often refer to dawn or daybreak, the early morning, when light starts to appear in the eastern sky, as “first light.”

The author, who was raised on a farm in the foothills of Appalachia, shares some of his experiences watching the first light of a new day coming after the end of a long dark night. He always welcomed the light of a new day.

Next the author considers the first light as recorded in the Bible. He refers to one of the most profound statements ever made. This statement is Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

The author likes to consider this statement this way: “God in the beginning created the heaven and the earth.” Thus we see: power (God), time (the beginning), action (creation), and the result (heaven and the earth).

He believes we must always begin with God. We must not even try to find a point of reference that predates God. We cannot in this life ever hope to understand why God was there, but we can, and we must, by faith accept it as fact.

The author points out four important phrases that occur several times in chapter 1 of the book of Genesis.

The first phrase is, “and God said.” This phrase appears in eight places in Genesis chapter 1. What follows these words, in each of the verses where we find them, is an amazing demonstration of the power of God’s spoken Word.

The second phrase is, “let there be.” This phrase, or equivalent phrases, appears in eight verses in Genesis chapter 1. This is the great creative command.

The third phrase is, “and it was so.” This phrase, or equivalent phrases, appears in eight verses in Genesis chapter 1. There wasn’t one single failure of the spoken Word of God to accomplish what the Creator commanded. When humans attempt to accomplish something there is initially a rather low success rate. Not so with God.

The fourth phrase is, “it was good.” This phrase appears seven times in Genesis chapter 1. We see this phrase as an evaluation of God’s creation. Often the results of human efforts are not good, alt

About the Author

Elmer C. Brown, born in the Appalachian foothills of North Carolina, earned his B. S. degree in business management at Guilford College. Licensed as a certified public accountant in 1974, two associates and he formed a public accounting firm in 1975. Aside from the business writing done in his profession, he first began writing and publishing in 1996. An active church layperson all his adult life, he writes about things that have influenced his life for over fifty years. He co-authored his first book, a daily devotional guide entitled Walking By Faith, with his former pastor, now deceased. His second book, 100 Bible Studies You Need, and his third book, Sharing the Road, a narrative about three interesting bicycle tours the author made, were published in 1998. His fourth book, Ready To Live, a thought-provoking discussion of important principles of Christian living, was published in July 2000.