Bible Road Map - Or the Road Less Traveled
Has using the bible as a guide, ethics, common decency and plain old fashioned horse sense all become relics in America. Let’s just say, it is not looking good.
In the last few years we have witnessed a woman who drowned her children just to keep her rich boyfriend. An ice skating competitor who had the legs of her top rival broken so she could win. We have seen a mother hire a hit man to eliminate her daughter’s competition in baton twirling championships. Another man destroyed his pregnant wife to be able to play the field, and live the life of a playboy.
Perhaps the most unbelievable of all was a woman who killed a pregnant woman then cut her open and stole her unborn baby. I take exception with those who take exception with me for saying, that we have a nation of potential criminals and crackpots in our own children.
We have created this dangerous potential by giving our children anything and everything they want or call for. When they enter the real world, the work a day world where they must fend for themselves suddenly the silver platter is withdrawn and the reality is too much to handle for some. We have forgotten the days of our austerity when as pioneers, plainsmen, and immigrants we were thankful to have our most basic needs met. We have elevated our wants and desires to the level of the sacred.
We imitate and borrow from the language of the greedy with our preoccupation with the prosperity gospel of today’s preachers. You will be just as likely to find today’s churches teaching us how to invest our money as how to get saved. Being born again is mocked and set aside in favor of instruction in the stock market, retirement funds and get rich schemes. Add to this, that modern psychology, sociology and other behavioral and environmental scientists have repeatedly warned us that poverty leads to crime and social upheaval of every kind. You can only imagine what America would look like if virtually every extra and almost all essentials were at a premium, if they could be found at all. It does not paint a very good picture.
The ancient city of Sodom was rebuked by the prophet Ezekiel. Everyone knows the sins of ancient Sodom but in Ezekiel’s rebuke, the root cause for Sodom’s sin is revealed. In Ezekiel’s rebuke there is a warning for us to recognize the same cause festering in our land today. Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. Eze.16:49
Ezekiel’s rebuke comes to my mind every time I hear some one refuse to give a few dollars to a children’s organization because they think the child won’t get all the money. But no one seems to even notice, much less demand a tax refund when a four hundred million dollar Jupiter probes go haywire and becomes useless. Movies are made that cost hundreds of millions of dollars to produce, whose messages and images would he better left in a garbage can. Tax money is spent on everything from the study of the flow of ketchup to the nocturnal habits of lesbians. Concupiscence and waste are rampant in every level of society and government, while personal responsibility and prudent stewardship has become an ethical relic of sorts. Where does it end?
I have no doubt that the chastisements of America will be the sudden and complete removal of nearly all essential goods and personal wealth. Something on the order of the dust bowl and the stock market crash combined, but multiplied many times over will soon befall this country. How this will come about is not certain but that is not my concern at this moment. I would prefer to see millions of Americans coming to their senses and turning back to God in humility and thereby avoiding this great portent, but I am sure that this is not what they are going to do.
A few years ago I was singing and playing guitar in some folk music venues. I produced three albums of Irish, folk, bluegrass and gospel songs before I published a compilation of my original songs. Among them is one I named An American Lament, I tried to present it as a Christian song but in the most subdued fashion. I wanted a message without the mush. I think I was able to accomplish that and that is why I present it here to appendage this section.
Many tall mountains, many long valleys
Many the white plains, that stretch out so far
All deep flowing rivers, rise cresting to meet me
Two shimmering oceans, with soft sandy shore
Darkly thick are the woodlands, the tall trees are bending
From beyond the soft west wind, drives the waves to the shore
Free flies the eagle, free rolling in blue skies
On high still the master, of all he surveys
Her people have proud eyes, all resting so carefree
They've left their strong towers, passing on to and fro
All beauty before them, great mountains and rivers
Yet groping like blind men, who can't find the door
Bard, prophet and poet, sing haply their bright songs
But the heart that is searching, can see somethings wrong
To pierce through the dark cloud, the heart always wonders
But to grow into greatness, the hearts made to cry
But this land is not my land, this home its not my home
For I've never yet been there, not now or before
Rev Bresciani is the author of two popular Christian books, one on the second coming of Christ. He has hundreds of articles published both online and in print.
Visit the website at www.americanprophet.org
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
An Online Bible Resource and Daily Devotional for the Christian Community
An Online Bible Resource and Daily Devotional for the Christian Community
We offer this online bible resource for the edification of the whole person in Christ. We are to know God and not just know about God. This is a profound and counterintuitive quest that requires the miraculous power of God at work in us to achieve the end in mind.
This website is an online bible dialogue of spiritual things, for those who want to experience God intimately and intelligently, based on the message from Scripture that is - above all things - God’s personal objective communication to us from outside of time and space.
It is our particular interest to invite those who are seeking a deeper experience from God, who is the personification of Truth itself, to take a spiritual journey with us through a thought provoking dialogue about the concepts in Scripture that are hard to both teach and to grasp.
We rely on this key thought from the New Covenant promise: That God Himself is our Teacher by virtue of His inner presence through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Wow...there’s a few concepts from the Bible that we can start chewing on right away!
Perhaps we can grow together into a faith-based community of believers who cannot get enough of the Truth and who desire to be transformed by God’s love! We’ll see. But first we need to begin by reading and thinking together. What has God spoken and how can we know it? How can we take these objective truths and experience God Himself in accordance with the terms He has laid out for us?
We join together in our progressive quest of lifelong learning, as an online bible community of faith, searching out the mind of Christ in developing the inner life.
We are the Body of Christ... meeting online... Spirit led... Bible based... spiritually alive in Christ... raised from the dead... forever!
We offer this online bible resource for the edification of the whole person in Christ. We are to know God and not just know about God. This is a profound and counterintuitive quest that requires the miraculous power of God at work in us to achieve the end in mind.
This website is an online bible dialogue of spiritual things, for those who want to experience God intimately and intelligently, based on the message from Scripture that is - above all things - God’s personal objective communication to us from outside of time and space.
It is our particular interest to invite those who are seeking a deeper experience from God, who is the personification of Truth itself, to take a spiritual journey with us through a thought provoking dialogue about the concepts in Scripture that are hard to both teach and to grasp.
We rely on this key thought from the New Covenant promise: That God Himself is our Teacher by virtue of His inner presence through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Wow...there’s a few concepts from the Bible that we can start chewing on right away!
Perhaps we can grow together into a faith-based community of believers who cannot get enough of the Truth and who desire to be transformed by God’s love! We’ll see. But first we need to begin by reading and thinking together. What has God spoken and how can we know it? How can we take these objective truths and experience God Himself in accordance with the terms He has laid out for us?
We join together in our progressive quest of lifelong learning, as an online bible community of faith, searching out the mind of Christ in developing the inner life.
We are the Body of Christ... meeting online... Spirit led... Bible based... spiritually alive in Christ... raised from the dead... forever!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Pass It On – A Rule For Good Bible Interpretation
Pass It On – A Rule For Good Bible InterpretationWith dozens of bible translations available today and a myriad of voices preaching and teaching from theses bibles how do we know which is trustworthy? It is simpler than you think.
During the dark ages the scriptures were chained to pedestals in the major cathedrals of the world. The common people could not read the bible and even the clergy were limited to reading it only where it stood. Those days have been eliminated by the courageous efforts of clergy and reformers like Luther, Calvin, Tyndale and a host of others who in some cases gave their lives in the effort. We now enjoy the fruit of their labors throughout most of the free world. Not only are all the versions of the bible available here in America but one publisher has begun offering the bible bound and covered in your choice of designer colors!
Yet for all of this profusion of bibles one of the flimsiest excuses for not reading or trusting the bible is still being used everywhere throughout the land. Who has not heard someone say, “The bible is open to interpretation and that’s why it can’t be trusted”?
If honestly examined, this excuse will be found to be just another one of those “common wisdom of the day” utterances that has no more truth in it than water in the desert. It is grown out of ignorance, watered by indifference and harvested in laziness. It is used glibly but has dire consequences; in fact it could cost a person their entire future.
The first rule of interpretation says that no one has the right to interpret the scripture in a merely personal or private way. …Knowing this first that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. I Peter 1:20 If the bible is not open to private interpretation then it must only be open to public interpretation. That is the key. The universal bible believing church the world over has an interpretation that qualifies this fact, the minor doctrinal differences and the trend toward liberalism notwithstanding. Whether Pentecostal, Evangelical, Baptist, Methodist or any other major historical denomination the bible is interpreted the same. Jesus death and resurrection is the key to salvation and his teachings are the key to our best behavior. When people stray very far from this kind of interpretation of the bible they are bordering on heresy, cultism or something worse.
Another great rule of sound biblical interpretation is to let the bible interpret itself. Let the whole bible reflect on any part of it in particular. You will rarely ever go wrong by applying this rule. This of course implies that you would have to study the whole bible. That alone would just about eliminate any problem with bible interpretation you will ever encounter.
An old preacher from Vermont once told me of a basic rule of interpretation he had learned while attending Bible College. I have never forgotten it and I’ve never failed to use it. He said, “If the scripture makes plain sense, seek no other sense”. Being complicated is not a prerequisite to being a bible student so don’t bury your self in hidden meanings and obscurities, just get on with what is known and apparent.
Finally take a lesson from the smallest child. Ask them what Jesus meant when he said we should love each other, or that we should forgive others. They know what these things mean even when those who hide behind the idea that the bible is riddled with too many interpretations don’t. Some passages are simple but that does not mean they aren’t profound. Other passages are more complex but can be clearly understood by the simplest approach, much like that of a child. The child like approach to scriptural interpretation is the shortest route to understanding; in fact it is also the shortest route to salvation itself. Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. Mark 10:15
We must cease to view the bible as some deep manual of religion only to be known by the initiated or specially trained. Someone once said that the bible and more so, the New Testament is a letter from God the Father to his children. Who would think a letter from your father was meant to create confusion. It would speak of his love, his intentions, his ongoing plans and his final return home. It would give instructions and details on what to do until he returns. No one would throw a letter from their father in a corner and say I don’t understand any of that so I’ll just do what I want to until he returns home and take it up with him then.
The words of the bible never create confusion. In fact it is the dismissing of these words that creates confusion. If we hide behind the worn out clich about “it is all open to interpretation” we will find ourselves with no where to hide in the final day. Jesus said the very opposite about his words, He said they would illuminate our lives and bring peace to us, not confusion. In fact they would produce life itself within us…the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. John 6:33
Monday, December 28, 2009
Miracles: What The Bible Has To Say About Them
Miracles: What The Bible Has To Say About Them
It was a miracle! How many times have you heard someone say that? Probably hundreds of times. But they don't really mean that it was a miracle – what they really mean is that the event they witnessed was amazing, improbable, or inexplicable.
But are there real miracles? Have there been times that the natural laws of the universe, such as gravity, or even death, have been stopped, changed, or reversed? To find the answer to this question, we must turn to the Bible.
Fact #1: Jesus performed many miracles
In the four gospels, we find many instances were Jesus performed miracles, such as “Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see.” (Matthew 12:22) Perhaps one of the most famous of Jesus' miracles was the raising of Lazarus from the dead, which we read about in John 11: “Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days...Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44The dead man came out.”
Fact #2: Jesus performed these miracles to prove that he was God
In the book of Acts, Peter says that “Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.”
Fact #3: Jesus gave authority to his disciples to perform miracles
In Matthew 10:1, we're told that Jesus “called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil[a] spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.”
Fact #4: God has given authority to his servants at various times to perform miracles
The Bible has many stories of miracles performed by God's servants – Moses, Elijah, Elisha, and others. The question is – does God still empower his followers to work miracles in his name? That is a tough question. The answer is beyond the scope of this article, but I hope that you will think and study the Bible to find the answer!
It was a miracle! How many times have you heard someone say that? Probably hundreds of times. But they don't really mean that it was a miracle – what they really mean is that the event they witnessed was amazing, improbable, or inexplicable.
But are there real miracles? Have there been times that the natural laws of the universe, such as gravity, or even death, have been stopped, changed, or reversed? To find the answer to this question, we must turn to the Bible.
Fact #1: Jesus performed many miracles
In the four gospels, we find many instances were Jesus performed miracles, such as “Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see.” (Matthew 12:22) Perhaps one of the most famous of Jesus' miracles was the raising of Lazarus from the dead, which we read about in John 11: “Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days...Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44The dead man came out.”
Fact #2: Jesus performed these miracles to prove that he was God
In the book of Acts, Peter says that “Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.”
Fact #3: Jesus gave authority to his disciples to perform miracles
In Matthew 10:1, we're told that Jesus “called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil[a] spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.”
Fact #4: God has given authority to his servants at various times to perform miracles
The Bible has many stories of miracles performed by God's servants – Moses, Elijah, Elisha, and others. The question is – does God still empower his followers to work miracles in his name? That is a tough question. The answer is beyond the scope of this article, but I hope that you will think and study the Bible to find the answer!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Everyone Needs Some Bible Software
Everyone Needs Some Bible SoftwareIf you are serious about studying the Bible and about learning more about Scripture, then there is no doubt in my mind that you need to invest into some Bible software. Why? Because Bible software is the newest and best way to learn all there is to know about a variety of things surrounding the Bible.
Just like any other work of literature, the Bible is hard to understand just by reading it if you do not have the appropriate knowledge of the background and the culture in which it was written. You will never get the fullness out of the Bible if you just read it devotionally and never dig in for the deeper meanings. Bible software is the perfect thing to supplement personal Bible reading in order to get the most out of study.
If you're looking for great Bible software, then it is important to first have an idea of your goals and purposes for getting the software. There is a wide variety of software available, so be sure that you know your goals and that you find Bible software that will accomplish what you want out of your study. For example, wanting to understand the book of Psalms is a little different than wanting to become fluent in Ancient Greek.
Another important way to learn about Bible software is to borrow software from family, friends, pastors or teachers that might have Bible software that interests you. It is always a good idea to try software programs before you buy them. So gather as many kinds as you can and spend a little time getting familiar. You might simply find that one Bible software program suits you and your needs the best.
Look for Bible software in a variety of locations. Check out a local Christian bookstore or any bookstore in your area to get some ideas of your options and of the price ranges. Or look online and see what is available that way. It is possible to get great deals on Bible software, you just need to know where to look. So take your time, do some research, and then look for package deals or ways to make buying Bible software more reasonable. There is no doubt that purchasing Bible software is valuable, but you still need to be wise with your purchases.
I have been using and enjoying Bible software for the past few years and I strongly suggest it to anyone that is serious about learning more about Scripture.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Unlocking the Bible Codes
Unlocking the Bible Codes
Did you read the DaVinci Code or maybe see the movie? Did it get you interested in history and secret codes? You do not have to travel to Europe to see the true secrets from history; technology now lets us unlock the oldest secret code in the world, the bible code. For centuries there have been rumors about the secret codes of the bible. Now with the power of your home computer you can unlock the bible codes and see the truth for your self. Whether you are a true believer or a doubtful skeptic, evidence can be found with your own research on the secret codes of the bible.
Bible codes, sometimes referred to as Torah codes, have been part of the Jewish tradition and mystery for over 2000 years. In Hebrew (the language of the original bible) the bible codes are called Gematria which is a translation from ancient Greek which when translated in to English is numerology. Around the time that the Old Testament was written the Greeks were the world leaders in math, so it would be natural that they would influence the composers of the original bible codes. It is information like this that can be found in the software responsible for unlocking the bible codes.
The bible codes can also be seen in other forms of the bible not just the original Hebrew. The King James Version has hidden bible codes and mysteries just waiting to be unlocked. The Greek version of the bible was the first ever translation of the bible and it too has many secrets waiting for you.
Using your home computer you can unlock the bible codes and explore history on your own. There are plenty of wonderful programs and DVDs which reveal the secrets of the bibles codes, and let you explore the magical Holy Land from home. One program called Holy Land Journey takes you on an interactive tour of the Holy Land and matches up bible stories with pictures. There are several bible decoders which are made to work in your native language and help you to start unlocking the secrets of the bible in a simple way so that you can understand.
Start your research now on the Bible codes.
Did you read the DaVinci Code or maybe see the movie? Did it get you interested in history and secret codes? You do not have to travel to Europe to see the true secrets from history; technology now lets us unlock the oldest secret code in the world, the bible code. For centuries there have been rumors about the secret codes of the bible. Now with the power of your home computer you can unlock the bible codes and see the truth for your self. Whether you are a true believer or a doubtful skeptic, evidence can be found with your own research on the secret codes of the bible.
Bible codes, sometimes referred to as Torah codes, have been part of the Jewish tradition and mystery for over 2000 years. In Hebrew (the language of the original bible) the bible codes are called Gematria which is a translation from ancient Greek which when translated in to English is numerology. Around the time that the Old Testament was written the Greeks were the world leaders in math, so it would be natural that they would influence the composers of the original bible codes. It is information like this that can be found in the software responsible for unlocking the bible codes.
The bible codes can also be seen in other forms of the bible not just the original Hebrew. The King James Version has hidden bible codes and mysteries just waiting to be unlocked. The Greek version of the bible was the first ever translation of the bible and it too has many secrets waiting for you.
Using your home computer you can unlock the bible codes and explore history on your own. There are plenty of wonderful programs and DVDs which reveal the secrets of the bibles codes, and let you explore the magical Holy Land from home. One program called Holy Land Journey takes you on an interactive tour of the Holy Land and matches up bible stories with pictures. There are several bible decoders which are made to work in your native language and help you to start unlocking the secrets of the bible in a simple way so that you can understand.
Start your research now on the Bible codes.
Friday, December 25, 2009
The Bible - The Source Of All Copywriting Secrets
The Bible - The Source Of All Copywriting Secrets
I've been a student of the Bible for practically all my life. There is a lot of reason why this book remains the number one best-seller year after year. I think that it is the source of ALL wisdom, yes, including successful copywriting!
What do I mean by this?
Simply put, every copywriting strategy can be found FIRST in the Bible. This may appear to be a strong statement but I challenge the reader to prove otherwise. As I did the research for my latest ebook "77 Ways to Skyrocket Your Website's Conversion", I kept saying to myself "but that's in the Bible … that's in the Bible."
I would like to take a look at FIVE copywriting principles and show you that they are as old as the Scriptures. This article is not meant to 'convert' you so read with an open mind ... ready? Let's go!
1. Stress benefits not features.
It's the Garden of Eden. The serpent approaches the woman Eve to get her to take of the forbidden fruit. Does he rave about the color, taste and texture of the fruit? No, he sells Eve on benefits. "Your eyes will be opened, you will be like God ..." (Genesis 3:4). Now that's a benefit, not a feature at all. And did Eve fall for it? She surely did.
That may seem like a 'negative' example - a plain deception. But look at what the book of Revelation promises the "overcomer". Eternal life, health, recognition, wealth and mansions without mortgages.
2. Use lots of testimonials.
If you have just a cursory knowledge of the Bible you know that the gospels of Matthew, Mark Luke and John make up the first four books of the New Testament. They all cover the same ground and share many common stories. So why would we need four different people saying practically the same thing?
You see they all wanted to tell THEIR story about the Rabbi Jesus Christ. So the writers (all satisfied customers) relate the life-changing encounter they each had - the more testimonies the better.
The entire Bible relates stories of peoples encounter with the supernatural and how it affected their lives. In fact, Jesus related to the disciples after His miraculous resurrection that all the Old Testament was really about Him.
3. "Create a damaging admission and address flaws openly"
That's the title to chapter 3 of the master copywriter Dan Kennedy's book "The Ultimate Sales Letter". He goes on to explain that if you openly admit the drawbacks of your offer then your credibility goes up instantly with the customer. For example, your price may be higher than your competitors so you may say: "If you are looking to save a few bucks then you can find many other companies who will be willing to give you some 'quick fixes'. But we provide a very thorough and expert service, hence the higher price"
You are admitting that you are expensive but showing why - the customer gets a superior service.
In the gospels we see many potential disciples who wanted to follow Jesus and he told them openly that it was a sacrificial walk. He told them in no uncertain terms that it involved a "cross", leaving father and mother behind, even possible death - but you will gain eternal life in the process. Talk about a "damaging admission.
4. Place a limit on your offer to motivate procrastinators.
This is a very important element of the "call to action" section of any sales letter. Humans are naturally procrastinators. We always put off what should be done now for a 'later' that never arrives. That is why the copywriter must show that supplies are limited or the special offer is for a 'limited time only'.
In many 'call to action' sections of the Bible we see the same warning to procrastinators. "Today if you hear my voice do not harden your heart .." (Hebrews 3:7). In the story of the great flood procrastinators were found outside the ark. Jesus told the story of the covetous farmer who built bigger barns to store his grains not knowing that death would come knocking on his door that very night.
Jesus never sent one of his listeners to go away and think about it. Today ... now, was the only time that anyone had. His message was "ACT NOW!"
5. Research your potential customers to know their problems and needs.
Dan Kennedy refers to this as "getting into the customer". Getting into the head and experiences of the customer -walk in his moccasins.
The whole Christmas story is about Jesus getting into the skin - literally - of the customer. The writer of Hebrews says that Jesus is touched by our feelings and infirmities. He became like one of us so that He may understand "the customer" better. That is why he could speak to the needs of the human heart with such authority because he knows what is in man.
I've just briefly looked at 5 copywriting principles but this applies across the board. Whether you accept the Bible as just another book or as inspired writings, there is no denying that the principles are there.
I would love to hear from the reader if he or she would like to challenge me on finding a useful copywriting principle that's not in the Bible.
What do I mean by this?
Simply put, every copywriting strategy can be found FIRST in the Bible. This may appear to be a strong statement but I challenge the reader to prove otherwise. As I did the research for my latest ebook "77 Ways to Skyrocket Your Website's Conversion", I kept saying to myself "but that's in the Bible … that's in the Bible."
I would like to take a look at FIVE copywriting principles and show you that they are as old as the Scriptures. This article is not meant to 'convert' you so read with an open mind ... ready? Let's go!
1. Stress benefits not features.
It's the Garden of Eden. The serpent approaches the woman Eve to get her to take of the forbidden fruit. Does he rave about the color, taste and texture of the fruit? No, he sells Eve on benefits. "Your eyes will be opened, you will be like God ..." (Genesis 3:4). Now that's a benefit, not a feature at all. And did Eve fall for it? She surely did.
That may seem like a 'negative' example - a plain deception. But look at what the book of Revelation promises the "overcomer". Eternal life, health, recognition, wealth and mansions without mortgages.
2. Use lots of testimonials.
If you have just a cursory knowledge of the Bible you know that the gospels of Matthew, Mark Luke and John make up the first four books of the New Testament. They all cover the same ground and share many common stories. So why would we need four different people saying practically the same thing?
You see they all wanted to tell THEIR story about the Rabbi Jesus Christ. So the writers (all satisfied customers) relate the life-changing encounter they each had - the more testimonies the better.
The entire Bible relates stories of peoples encounter with the supernatural and how it affected their lives. In fact, Jesus related to the disciples after His miraculous resurrection that all the Old Testament was really about Him.
3. "Create a damaging admission and address flaws openly"
That's the title to chapter 3 of the master copywriter Dan Kennedy's book "The Ultimate Sales Letter". He goes on to explain that if you openly admit the drawbacks of your offer then your credibility goes up instantly with the customer. For example, your price may be higher than your competitors so you may say: "If you are looking to save a few bucks then you can find many other companies who will be willing to give you some 'quick fixes'. But we provide a very thorough and expert service, hence the higher price"
You are admitting that you are expensive but showing why - the customer gets a superior service.
In the gospels we see many potential disciples who wanted to follow Jesus and he told them openly that it was a sacrificial walk. He told them in no uncertain terms that it involved a "cross", leaving father and mother behind, even possible death - but you will gain eternal life in the process. Talk about a "damaging admission.
4. Place a limit on your offer to motivate procrastinators.
This is a very important element of the "call to action" section of any sales letter. Humans are naturally procrastinators. We always put off what should be done now for a 'later' that never arrives. That is why the copywriter must show that supplies are limited or the special offer is for a 'limited time only'.
In many 'call to action' sections of the Bible we see the same warning to procrastinators. "Today if you hear my voice do not harden your heart .." (Hebrews 3:7). In the story of the great flood procrastinators were found outside the ark. Jesus told the story of the covetous farmer who built bigger barns to store his grains not knowing that death would come knocking on his door that very night.
Jesus never sent one of his listeners to go away and think about it. Today ... now, was the only time that anyone had. His message was "ACT NOW!"
5. Research your potential customers to know their problems and needs.
Dan Kennedy refers to this as "getting into the customer". Getting into the head and experiences of the customer -walk in his moccasins.
The whole Christmas story is about Jesus getting into the skin - literally - of the customer. The writer of Hebrews says that Jesus is touched by our feelings and infirmities. He became like one of us so that He may understand "the customer" better. That is why he could speak to the needs of the human heart with such authority because he knows what is in man.
I've just briefly looked at 5 copywriting principles but this applies across the board. Whether you accept the Bible as just another book or as inspired writings, there is no denying that the principles are there.
I would love to hear from the reader if he or she would like to challenge me on finding a useful copywriting principle that's not in the Bible.
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