During the past few years, we've witnessed the appearance of self-help books on almost every subject. I began to notice them after personal computers became popular. "Dummy" manuals relating to computers were published to help the average user understand the complexities of the manual that came with the particular program or computer. I must confess that even some of the "dummy" manuals were too complicated for me. I found myself wondering if anyone had written a manual to help dummies understand the dummy manuals!!!
I should not have been surprised at one of my recent bookstore discoveries--a book entitled "The Bible for Dummies." Do we really need such a book? Is the Bible too difficult for the average person to understand, or do people use, as a concocted excuse for not obeying, their inability to understand the Bible's commands?
Can the Average Person Understand the Bible?
Those who write self-help books assume that some people are either unable to understand the published manual, or at the very least, unable to follow its instructions. These authors feel the need to simplify for them what has already been written. I must admit that, on occasion, I have found them to be helpful. However, the Bible is not so complicated that a person needs a mortal author to make its Divine author's teachings simpler.
Concerning the truths that had been revealed to him, Paul wrote the Ephesians, "..when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ." (Ephesians 3:4) Studies of the structure of the Bible's sentences have shown that it is written at about a fifth-grade level. Mark Twain commented that while many people are concerned about the parts of the Bible they can't understand, he was more concerned about the parts he could.
Let's examine this matter more closely. If the Bible is not understandable, whose fault is it? This calls into question God Himself. Did He lack the ability to reveal it in an understandable way; or did He not want us to understand the Bible and therefore, deliberately reveal it so we couldn't. Neither of these options is consistent with what we know about God. The creation around us--the heavens and the earth--declare His power (Psalm 19:1-6; Romans 1:18-20). His past dealings with mankind show Him to be a benevolent, loving, and patient God who wants us to obey and be saved (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9).
Any problem man has understanding the Bible is not God's fault. The problem rests on each accountable being's doorstep. Many people have no desire to learn about God because they are intent on living the way they have chosen (Romans 1:21). Saying, "I can't understand the Bible" is just a convenient excuse. Someday, each of us will account to God for how we lived before Him. As we live, each deed is being recorded (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Must We Do Everything Quickly?
We live in a day and time when we expect everything to be accomplished in a hurry. We pop something into the toaster for breakfast, speed down the road to and from work, eat lunch in fast-food restaurants, use the drive-up window at the bank and dry cleaners, and wait impatiently for the microwave to heat our dinner.
It's easy to forget that some worthwhile things take time and effort. The Psalmist used the word "meditate" nine times (Psalm 1:2; 63:6; 77:12; 119:15,23,48,78,148; 143:5). Another six times (Psalm 5:1; 19:14; 49:3; 104:34; 119:97,99), he used the word "meditation." Where did he find the time to do so much "meditating"? The answer is, he took the time to meditate. Back then, as now, the days were only 24 hours long. Too many people convince themselves they don't have time to study their Bibles.
A reading of the above-listed verses will show us why the Psalmist did so much meditating. He wanted to know God's Law, and how it applied to his life. He found comfort in God's promise to watch over him, even as his enemies spoke evil of him and attempted to harm him. The Bible is our guide in all areas of life, and one day, it will be the standard by which we will be judged (Matthew 7:21-23; John 12:48). It is the means by which we can grow spiritually (Acts 20:32). The things written are written for our instruction (Romans 15:4). We are encouraged by the stories of those who suffered for doing right and were rewarded by God.
To learn these lessons, we must invest some of our time. There is no shortcut to Bible knowledge. Do not be fooled into thinking that a little now-and-then effort can accomplish the same thing as serious long-term study. All of the time and energy invested in Bible study will some day be rewarded. We need God's word to guide us (Proverbs 14:23). Heaven will be worth all the time and effort we expend in order to please God.
Conclusion
There is certainly nothing wrong with using a reference book that has a lot of information packed into a few pages. As I began to look at this book, it became apparent that some of the information in it was both accurate and helpful. As with any other Bible-study aid, we must remember that its writers were men who may not always teach the truth, even though that may be their goal.
The book includes a discussion of the Apocrypha, a collection of books found only in the Catholic versions of the Bible. The Apocrypha were not considered inspired. They were excluded from most other versions of the Bible, including the ancient Septuagint version of the Old Testament--a Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament. Jesus was familiar with this version and often quoted from it. He certainly would have known whether these books should be included in the sacred text.
Do not neglect studying the Bible. It is powerful (Romans 1:16).
Brother Curry has made some insightful points concerning the need for personal Bible study. We often criticize people in other religions for their lack of Bible understanding and say they "know only what the preacher says." Sadly, the Lord's church has the same problem. Some of our members' understanding reaches only as far as their favorite preacher's knowledge. Mark well, there is no shortcut to learning God's word. Roll up your proverbial sleeves and put your nose in the book! Preachers are mortal, fallible men. They can stimulate our thinking and help us gain insight into the Scriptures. Still, each of us, by examining the Bible for himself, secures his own faith and understanding.
Truly, the Bible is the greatest book ever written and the book all men most need to read and consider. It is the only book of divine origin. Isn't it worth investing our time and effort to mine the exceeding riches within its pages? I pray that God will help us to understand that the Bible is a priceless treasure! (KMG)