Ron Grimes

I encountered Eastern Orthodox Christianity at the age of sixty, after a long and intricate spiritual journey. Raised in the Baptist tradition, I explored various Protestant denominations, delved into Zen Buddhism, and spent a period in atheism before returning to Christianity. Confronted by the diversity of Christian interpretations, I undertook an in-depth study of biblical languages and the Jewish context of Scripture in search of clarity and renewed understanding. Over the years, I immersed myself in biblical studies, completing five years in Hebrew, one year in Aramaic, and three years in Greek, along with courses on the Jewish context, the geography of Israel, and advanced modern Hebrew. This educational path ultimately led me to the Eastern Orthodox Church, where I discovered the ancient tradition I had been seeking—faith rooted in an unbroken lineage of bishops tracing back to the apostles. While I have studied extensively at the Israel Institute of Biblical Studies, I hold no formal theological degrees and am not affiliated with the clergy. As a simple parishioner, I am as surprised as anyone by the insights I share in this book. Whether these ideas are the fruits of study or a gift of grace, I leave it for the reader to decide. For over forty years, I have worked as a software engineer, valuing ideas and innovation over titles or credentials. In this spirit, I hope this book stands on its own merits, inviting readers to view the allegories of creation, the Fall, and perhaps the entire Bible through a new and enlightening lens.