While I was teaching at Faulkner University years ago, I had a young man get into a discussion with me about the teaching of the Bible, specifically as it related to the teachings of John Calvin. I don’t remember now exactly what we were discussing, which point of Calvinism we were discussing, but his final response was something to the effect: “You read it one way and I read it a different way.”
That, of course, is the theological foundation for the existence of various religious groups that all claim to be Christian and all claim to be segments of the church of Christ. The reasoning is, “We all have our different interpretations. And that’s okay. Just go to the church that suits your fancy.”
In Mark 12:37, the text reads that: “And the large crowd enjoyed listening to Him.” When Rachel and I first married and I was preaching, from time to time, Rachel would say, “You are preaching over our heads.” By that she meant I was using words and concepts that the average Christian, even the mature Christian might not understand. I might still do that from time to time, but the fact is that if you don’t understand what I’m preaching, if I’m using words or concepts that you are not familiar with as a serious Bible student, it might be that I’m not preaching like Jesus preached.
Man made in God’s image is a rational being. He has the ability to think, reason and reach conclusions. Man’s greatest gift, his ability to weigh evidence, is constantly appealed to by God in the Bible. Why? If God knows we cannot understand, why does He constantly present the evidence? Notice, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ (Rom. 10:17). Faith is predicated on understanding the Bible! There is no other way faith can come! Paul plainly states: “By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ” (Eph. 3:4). That is exactly what a revelation is – the unveiling of a mystery – understanding what was not before known! Even sectarians understand this! Notice, “do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17).
If we understand the Bible at all, we understand it alike. Let’s rededicate ourselves to studying God’s message so we can share it with others.
Paul Holland