A local author is looking for readers willing to provide feedback regarding the first draft of his book which is being published this year by Pilgrim Platform, Marietta.
Phillip A. Ross of Marietta, who wrote the book, "Colossians-Solas Christos and the Singularity of God," said the book is a sermon series that is intended to make the issues, concerns and truths of Paul's letter to the Colossians come to life.
He would like anyone who is willing to read and respond to the first draft of his 216-page book to contact him as soon as possible.
The publication of this book began a few years ago when Douglas Vickers suggested that Ross publish his work with Wipf & Stock, one of the early academic oriented publish-on-demand companies. The book on Colossians was originally titled "Nothing But Christ-Another Look at Colossians" (Wipf & Stock, Eugene, Ore., 2001) and was on the first two chapters of Colossians. The present volume is a complete reworking of that manuscript and the completion of the study of Colossians.
Though some scholars doubt that Paul wrote this letter, the historic church has always believed it to come from Paul's hand. Since scholars tend to doubt everything, Christians need to be very careful with scholarship, Ross said.
"Too many people trust the scholars more than the Bible, and that's a serious mistake," he said. "It's not that scholarship is bad, only that most of it is godless, and consequently speculative."
Paul was combating error in Colossae when he wrote Colossians. The enemies of the gospel were working in the early churches, twisting God's Word, so Paul wrote to straighten them out, Ross said.
Ross has pastored churches in Berkeley, Calif., St. Louis, Mo., Evansville, Ind., Bellefonte, Pa., and Marietta. He has degrees from Pacific School of Religion and the University of Colorado, and has various certificates of continuing pastoral training. After his post-ordination conversion to biblical Christianity, he has labored for gospel renewal through radio, music, counseling and writing. Ross is also the organizing elder of the Mid-Ohio Valley Reformed Fellowship.
He and his wife, Stephanie, have three sons in college.
Churches to observe 'Christmas in July'
Tunnel and Warren Chapel United Methodist churches will be observing "Christmas in July" on Sunday, July 26.
Worship will begin at 9 a.m. at the Tunnel church and at 10:30 a.m. at Warren Chapel. The service will include Christmas carols and a Christmas message. Everyone is encouraged to wear something in keeping with the Christmas theme.
The two churches are also co-sponsoring the annual church picnic, "Camp Hervida Day," on Sunday, Aug. 16, at the 4-H camp on Ohio 339, north of Watertown. A potluck meal will be served at 12:30 p.m., followed by an afternoon of swimming, horseshoes, hiking and fun.
The churches also invite everyone to join them for a special combined worship service for "Biker Sunday" on Aug. 30 featuring worship led by the Crossover Motorcycle Ministry. The service will be held at 10 a.m. at Tunnel United Methodist Church, followed by a carry-in meal and fellowship with visiting bikers in the church fellowship hall.
For more information: Tunnel UMC at 374-5634 or Pastor Richard Thomas at (740) 516-5884.
Area man to appear in concert in August
Taj Rohr will be appearing in concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at First Christian Church, 1400 Washington Ave., Parkersburg.
There is no admission charge, but an offering will be taken to support Rohr's ministry.
For more information: (304) 485-5253.
Send church news to Janet Gossett in care of The Marietta Times, P.O. Box 635, Marietta, Ohio 45750. Information can also be e-mailed to jgossett@mariettatimes.-com, faxed to (740) 376-5475 or submitted through the Virtual Newsroom on the Times' Web site, www.MariettaTimes.-com.
