Byron Bledsoe holds a copy of his new book, "Every Reason to Be a Christian."

Author offers arguments for Christianity

Despite a background in the science field, Alleghany native Byron Bledsoe felt the need to make a compelling case for Christianity, which he recently did through the publication of his book, "Every Reason to be a Christian."

Bledsoe is a son of the late Duke Bledsoe Sr. and a descendant of Jesse Bledsoe, the first sheriff of Alleghany County.

Bledsoe's father owned the local Ford dealership and passed away when young Byron was 10 years old. After the death of its patriarch, the family continued to live in Alleghany.

After graduating from Sparta High School in 1959, Bledsoe attended N.C. State University, received his degree in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee and later received his masters from Georgia Tech.

While at N.C. State, Bledsoe said he was a roommate to Robert Andrews, who also hails from Alleghany.

Bledsoe said he accepted Christ during a revival Sparta First Baptist Church.

"I don't remember the preacher's name, but he was wonderful," Bledsoe said. "One of the things that drew me to get saved at that time is he approached the subject very much like I did in this book. He taught why we should believe."

Bledsoe said he also was encouraged by his grandmother Eulala Johnson, whom he said was a strong Christian.

After the revival, Bledsoe said that he, his brother, his father and his grandfather were all baptised at the same time.

"It was one of the highlights of my life," he said of his baptism. "That church is very dear to me, even today."

Several members of the Bledsoe family still reside in this county, he said.

Bledsoe now resides in Georgia with his wife Betty, spending half of the year in Marietta and the other half of the year in Young Harris.

As for the book, Bledsoe said his background in engineering might make people wonder why he wrote a book on Christianity.

"I'm not really the kind of person you would expect to write this book," he said. He was inspired to write the book while participating in door-to-door visitations on behalf of several churches in Georgia.

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