It has been my observation that most people saying they are Christian are not familiar with the Bible, can't understand Jesus' parables even though He explains them. It often takes a Sunday School hour to explain just one mostly by making life applications. It isn't the fault of the Holy Spirit. It is a a listening weakness.
I have a book by Jerry Lucas and Del Washburn titled "Theomatics", first edition 1977, given to me by my stepfather. He remained an unbeliever, high school and college football coach, until in his 70's. He made fun of my wife who always kept her favorite Bible with her. "That book is going to drive you mad." he liked to say. I had been a new Christian since 1976, making me a traitor of fellow men, to men like him. He taught mathematics, science, and foreign language courses all his career, mastering all levels up through 4 year college. That book got his attention, as he heard of it and decided to mathematically prove Lucas, an All American basketball champion, had gone through the hoop. God reached him to His glory. He put a double-sided sign on his pickup truck, reaching from hood to tailgate, with a message of the Lord returning soon, believe on Him now. He advanced through the Bible quickly, began teaching it as he learned it. He gave me a copy of that book, ordered to study it. Soon after that my mother was gloriously saved in her 70's, and many went to the cross of Christ by his preaching and teaching. Whenever visiting them he would talk Bible and test me to make sure I was studying that Lucas book.
Theomatics is Lucas' own new word describing a blend of gematria and isopsephia. It isn't "Bible Code". The main issue is the true fact that numbers are assigned to Greek and Hebrew letters, and the individual letters of those ancient words demonstrate number values that verify definitions of those words. That helps link a particular word and whole verse to a specific context, like when a verse contains "lamp" and "light", a clear distinction is proved the two are fitted together by correct translation, one not necessarily the same as the other.
Hewbrews and Greeks counted using their "alphabet' characters. Using a Greek-English interlinear NT, he gives hundreds of verses, showing an amazing consistency of his claims. All of God's creation is numerically perfect, a fact that gets the attention of unbelieving astronomers as they learn more about what they detect. All fields of science are showing God's touch by the numbers. Laws of nature are sustained by reliable mathematics.
In a time when, like I have, many of us have multiple versions of the Bible, it's easier to sort them out when there is a very different rendering of a verse. I've thrown a few away so that nobody else reads some of the things I've seen. I no longer bother testing versions, settling on a few favorites. But for minds like the coach, this sort of thing has been a blessing to see them born again at last.
By far it's best to simply take God's word literally, believing without having to see some science prove it enough to begin believing. Some just can't do it best, like Thomas. John 20:25-29 (KJV)
[SUP]25 [/SUP] The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
[SUP]26 [/SUP] And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
[SUP]27 [/SUP] Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
[SUP]28 [/SUP] And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
[SUP]29 [/SUP] Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
