Bible Questions and Answers by Cecil R. May, Jr.

 

Bible Questions and Answers

by Cecil R. May, Jr.

I have been a reader of The Magnolia Messenger for several years. I have enjoyed the paper while it was edited by the late Al Franks, and I continue to enjoy it under the editorship of Dennis Doughty. I was blessed to know both of these men. Through the pages of The Magnolia Messenger, I came to know and respect Cecil May, Jr. I cut out and saved some of his columns of “Bible Questions Answered” until I could save them in PDF format. Now, these have been collected in a single volume published by Faulkner University. Since that time, I have been blessed to attend Faulkner’s Bible Lectureship and meet brother May and hear him lecture. He and his wife were a delight to meet, and I am confident if you had the same opportunity your experience would be similar.

Some preachers have been using a Q&A format for some of their services. Some lectureships have Q & A formats as well. I have seen some men do this extemporaneously with questions from the floor, such as Alan Highers. Having been on an Q&A program, I can attest that the stress level for prepared questions before an audience is daunting enough. I also appreciate Robert Veil, Jr.’s column in The West Virginia Christian on Bible questions too. Columns and books like these can be a great reference for querists and answerers. Brother May does not shy away from questions that the answers may make some uncomfortable in their seats. For example, here is a statement he makes about proms: “I have known of too many high school girls and boys from good families, active in church, youth groups, seemingly dedicated to the Lord, who unexpectedly became unwed mothers or fathers after attending their high school proms” (320).

As with any answer to a Bible question, the knowledge of the one providing the answer is important. May served as the Dean of the V. P. Black College of Biblical Studies at Faulkner University earlier as President of Magnolia Bible College. He holds a B.A., M.A., and M. Div. from Harding University, and was awarded the L.L.D. from Freed-Hardeman University. He has spent many years in the classroom both as student and teacher, so Bible questions and Bible answers is an arena in which he is well qualified to operate. Some questions deal with controversial subjects, so the answers may seem controversial to some readers. I am confident brother May would encourage you to “Fact Check” his remarks in accordance with the Scriptures. The book is organized by questions around a given subject, e.g., salvation, role of women, church leadership, bible passages, etc. The book also provides a helpful Scripture Index, so the material is more accessible. Brother May provides answer to over 160 Bible questions. Brother May has been writing this column since 1980, and he continues to do so. Perhaps there will be a follow-up volume, but until then I recommend getting on the mailing list of The Magnolia Messenger and adding this book to the church library.

Originally printed in the West Virginia Christian, Vol. 30, No. 7, July 2023, p. 8. Reprinted by permission.