“Not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not
many noble, are called.”
(1 Corinthians 1:26)
Have you ever been talked down to by someone who has a doctorate in theology? And they basically tell you that you'll never understand the bible until you, (like they have) take multiple college level courses on exegesis, hermeneutics, bible theology, biblical history, Greek, Hebrew, and read scores of writings from the early church fathers, etc.
I have.
And the more I talk with some of these people, it becomes obvious that when it comes to the bible, more often than not, they miss the forest for the trees.
Think about it... Would an all-knowing, loving God, who intimately knows that we as a species are weak, not all that bright, and with limited understanding, give us a bible that no one would ever be able to understand except a small group of the most intellectually elite biblical scholars?
That would be cruel to say the least. But more importantly, the bible never teaches that.
Look at the rest of the passage from 1 Corinthians chapter 1:
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who
are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For
it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
Read that entire passage a couple of times and really let it sink in. Hear what it is saying.
God calls simple people to bring a simple message of hope to the world.
When we're brand new to the bible, we certainly need someone knowledgeable to teach us. But even though the prophetic books of the bible are at times difficult to understand, as they contain metaphor, symbolism, and some allegory, most of the bible is not that difficult to understand, if you will take the time to read all of it, several times, and just take it at face value. Even more important, before you study the bible, and while you're studying it, pray and ask God for wisdom and understanding of what you are reading.
God would not give mankind a book that is a mysterious riddle that cannot possibly be unlocked.
The bible is for believers, that we may more intimately know our Savior, and His will for us, and our eternal future with Him.
But the bible is also for unbelievers, that they may know what Jesus did on the cross to save them from their sins, and to call them to repent of their sins and turn to a loving God, lest they perish forever.
No one understands the entire bible 100% perfectly. I've been studying the bible for twenty five years, and the more I study it, the more I realize how much I don't know. But most people fail because they refuse to regularly read and study it at all.
The other group that can be frustrating to talk to are the strict bible contextualists.
While the individual scriptures may have an immediate, historical, cultural context, they also have an overarching spiritual context, purpose, and application that thousands of years cannot change or undo.
Rigid contextualists will argue that a particular verse can only be understood or applied relative to its immediate historical or cultural context. But again, the Word of God is timeless in its ultimate spiritual purpose and application.
When I read the Bible, no matter what topic I am studying, I want to know what was God's purpose for putting this in the bible. What is God's heart on this passage or topic? How does it apply to my relationship with Jesus? And how do I apply it to my life? How will this passage help me to know God better?
I once had a lengthy discussion with a religious intellectual who earned a doctorate in theology from a bible seminary. I was asking him to expound on what Romans 7:15-20 means. And he refused to offer his thoughts on the passage. He was the guy who told me I need to go take some courses on hermeneutics and exegesis and then read some books by his favorite early church fathers. And only then I could understand what this passage means. I challenged him, "You were an assistant pastor for years, teaching the bible. Why can't you expound on and apply this passage?" He again refused and said, "I would rather stand on the shoulders of giants who have gone before me, than say something about this passage and be wrong." His time at his bible college ruined him. What did his fancy doctorate degree profit him? He was so afraid to be wrong he was paralyzed by his own fear and advanced education.
Consider the simple fishermen Jesus called to be His disciples and Apostles. They had no formal advanced education. No degrees in theology. Why would Jesus use simple unlearned men in this capacity? 1 Corinthians 1:29 tells us:
"But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.”
God could have called only the super intellectuals, the brightest and most accomplished religious people of their day to be His apostles and disciples. But most of them were just the opposite. These simple men and women turned the entire world upside down with the Holy Spirit-led and Holy Spirit-empowered Gospel of Jesus Christ.
"That no flesh should glory in His presence."
Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is not so much about what you know... It's more about Who you know.
Tell the world about Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
