Meet the Author

John A. Mapp Jr. is a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, where he majored in physics. He received a master’s degree in business administration from the College of William and Mary. He worked as a senior systems analyst for a large defense contractor in central Florida. Now retired, he and his wife, Kathy, live in upstate South Carolina. They have two adult children and a young grandson.

When John was a young adult, his rigorous scientific education left him with a good scientific understanding of the world, but with little support for the Christian faith of his youth. An Old Testament survey course taught by a theologically liberal professor had left him with more questions than answers. He began seeking evidence that he knew would lead either to the strengthening of his faith or its complete abandonment. In due course, he stumbled upon some century-old teachings that convinced him that the Bible is true, and that the claims of Christianity regarding Jesus are valid. He quickly became convinced of the need for a fresh, contemporary presentation of this neglected material, and began work on what was to become Decoding Bible Messages.