Anyone who has begun to read the Bible seriously will realize that some parts can be understood very easily, while other parts seem puzzling. Very early in the history of the church Peter reminded his readers that some parts of Paul’s epistles were difficult to understand: “just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction” (2 Peter3:15-16).
Even in Peter’s statement just quoted, the context is an appeal to the teachings of Paul’s letter, which Peter’s readers had read and understood. Peter assigns some moral blame to those who twist these passages. Peter does not say that these are things impossible to understand, but only difficult to understand.
The Bible’s clarity and the responsibility of believers generally to read it and understand it are often emphasized. Moses tells the people of Israel:
These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)
All the people of Israel were expected to be able to understand the words of Scripture well enough to be able to “teach them diligently”. This teaching would not be merely memorization of some Scriptures devoid of any understanding, for the people of Israel were to discuss the words of Scripture during their activities.
In a day when it is common for people to tell us how hard it is to interpret Scriptures rightly, we never hear it being said in the Gospels Jesus saying anything like this: “I see how your problem came about – the Scriptures are not very clear on that subject.” It also needs to be noted that the letters of the New Testament are written not to the church leaders, but to the entire congregations.
The New Testament writers frequently state that the ability to understand Scripture rightly is more a moral and spiritual than intellectual ability: The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them.
Although the New Testament authors affirm that the Bible in itself is written clearly, they also affirm that it will not be understood rightly by those who are unwilling to receive its teachings. Scripture is able to be understood by unbelievers who will read it sincerely seeking salvation, and by believers who will read it while seeking God’s help to understand it. This is because the Holy Spirit is at work overcoming the effects of sin, which otherwise make the truth appear to be foolish.
So then, is there a role then for Bible scholars? There are roles for these people in at least four areas:
- They can teach Scriptures clearly; communicating it’s content to others and be fulfilling the office of “teacher”, which is mentioned in the New Testament.
- They can explore new areas of understanding the teachings of Scripture. This exploration will seldom (if ever) involve denial of the main teachings the church has held throughout the centuries, but will often involve the application of Scripture to new areas of life, and the answering of difficult questions, that have been raised by both believers and non-believers.
- They can defend the teachings of the Bible against attacks by other scholars of those with specialized training. The role of teaching God’s Word also at times involves correcting false teachings. One must be able not only “give instruction in sound doctrine” but also “to confute those who contradict it.”
- They can supplement the study of Scripture for the benefit of the church; Bible scholars often have training that will enable them to relate the teachings of Scripture to the rich history of the church.
Let this be your prayer this week:
Father, in the name of Jesus, I commit myself to walk in the Word. Your Word living in me produces Your life in this world. I recognize that You Word is integrity itself; steadfast, sure and eternal, and I trust my life to it.
You have sent Your Word into my heart. I will let it dwell in me. I will meditate in it day and night so that I may diligently act on it. Your Word is my counsel, my shield and my powerful weapon in battle. The Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. It makes my way plain before me.
The Holy Spirit leads and guides me into the truth. He gives me understanding, discernment and comprehension so that I am preserved from the traps of the evil one. I choose to agree with the Word of God, and I choose to disagree with any thoughts, conditions or circumstances contrary to Your Word. I boldly and confidently say that my heart is fixed and established of the solid foundation – the living Word of God! Amen.