February 24th, 2011

Chosen Confusion

Why do people say the Bible is hard to understand? I don’t want to sound stupid, but I don’t get it. If you have read or used any of the newer, modern language, translations of the Bible, then you should be able to understand it right? Maybe it’s a matter of us not wanting to understand the Bible. After all, complexity works for us. If you have been reading these postings, then you have noticed my new “thing” is about being simple, having things simple, and that Jesus did things in very simple ways. Be that as it may, we need complexity. Whether we admit it or not, if the Bible is hard for me to understand, then I have reasons for not believing it, integrating it, and following it. Let me give you an example.

When the Bible makes the simple command to love our neighbor, we claim, “I don’t understand, it’s not that simple!” Then we give all the reasons why we can’t love our neighbor. I’ve had my feelings hurt, I was abused as a child (not to minimize the hurt), and they’re mean. When the Bible says don’t gossip, we proclaim, “I’m just… concerned.” Then we claim we don’t understand. So, basically, the more complex I make it, the more reasons I have to get out from under it. If my life is complex, and the Bible is confusing, I can throw up my hands and walk away.

The reality is the Bible isn’t really as complex as we would like it to be. Don’t gossip means exactly that – don’t gossip. We all know what gossip is, we just rationalize (to convince myself with rational lies) our behavior by making up complicated excuses and then saying the Bible can’t apply. I believe the Bible says exactly what it means. No adultery means, no adultery. Don’t lie and steal means, don’t lie and don’t steal. Why do people say the Bible is hard to understand? Maybe it’s because they don’t want to obey it. What do you think?

Posted: 1 year ago