In the preface to Elijah: The Prophet of Confrontation, Butler writes "Though 'a man subject to like passions as we are' (James 5:17), Elijah excelled in dedication far beyond all of us; and his whirlwind trip to glory was a fitting crown for a life wholly given to serving God. You cannot read Elijah honestly and come away without being inspired to new heights of holy living and service." Butler examines Elijah in the following chapters:
John G. Butler, originally from Iowa, has been a Baptist minister for over fifty years and a pastor for over thirty-five years with pastorates in Clinton, Iowa; Williamsburg, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; and Chicago, Illinois. Having attended Tennessee Temple University and graduated from Cedarville University, he also authored the 27-volume Bible Biography Series, a 10-volume Study of the Savior series about Jesus Christ, and the 4-volume Butler's Daily Bible Reading set, a unique daily devotional focusing on expository Bible study. He is also a veteran of the United States Navy.
“Your usefulness to God is not dependent on your station in life or on the honors of man, but it is very dependent on your willingness to walk humbly before God at all times.” (Page 58)
“First, the worship of Baal. Baal was a heathenistic, pagan god who was supposed to control rain and fertility.” (Page 19)
“First, the calling of Elijah. Elijah’s Divine calling as a servant of God was that of a prophet. Being a prophet said plenty about the evil condition of the land. Arthur W. Pink said, ‘God only sent forth … His prophets in a time of marked declension and departure of the people from Himself.’ Mackintosh adds, ‘The exercise of prophetic ministry in Israel, of old, was always a proof of the nation’s decline.’ As with most prophets, Elijah’s ministry was not so much predicting but indicting. His main task was to denounce sin and to point Israel to the right path.” (Pages 29–30)
“Corruption from religion came when the worship of Baal replaced and cruelly suppressed the worship of Jehovah” (Page 19)
“The Apostle Paul said, ‘Be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is’ (Ephesians 5:17). How very important is that exhortation, and how very important to seek and to know the will of God for our lives. Some are not so sure we can always perceive the will of God, our Divine duty. But such doubt is only the voice of disobedience speaking, for you can indeed perceive your Divine duty. And our text will help us in this matter of knowing the will of God. From it we will learn three important truths about perceiving our Divine duty. First, we perceive it in Scripture—our duty is revealed to us in the Word of God. Second, we perceive it in season—our duty is always revealed on time. Third, we perceive it in segments—our duty is revealed to us step by step.” (Page 62)