Allen Webster

Topic(s): Bible Study

Links to this entire series:

• Was Joan of Arc Noah's Wife?: Part 1
• Was Joan of Arc Noah's Wife?: Part 2

Illiteracy is common among the most literate generation ever to stir the dust of God’s revolving footstool. It’s not that we can’t read; it is that we don’t read.

• The history of the Bible is misunderstood. Four out of ten adults (38%) believe that the entire Bible was written several decades after Jesus’ death and resurrection. While this is true of some of the New Testament, the entire Old Testament was written hundreds of years prior to the birth of Christ (1994).

• Almost two out of three adults (62%) know that the Book of Isaiah is in the Old Testament, but one out of ten (11%) believe it is in the New Testament, and one out of four (27%) don’t know (1994).

• 12% of adults believe that Noah’s wife was Joan of Arc. (The Bible does not provide her name.) (1997)

• One out of six (16%) believe that the Book of Thomas is in the New Testament. Another third are not sure whether or not there is such a book in the New Testament (1994).

• Half of all adults (49%) believe that the Bible teaches that money is the root of all evil. One-third (37%) disagree with this contention. It actually teaches, of course, that it is the love of money that is the root of all evil (1 Tim. 6:10) (1994).

• A majority of adults (56%) are convinced the Bible proclaims that the single, most important task in life is taking care of one’s family (cf. Mt. 22:37-39) (1997).

• Three-quarters of Americans (75%) believe that the Bible teaches that God helps those who help themselves (2000).[1]

What is the reason for such embarrassing, laughable ignorance? Is the Bible that hard to understand? Was it impossible for God to give a book that the minds He created could grasp?

It is possible to understand the Bible. Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8:32). Christians possess the mind of God (1 Cor. 2:12-13) and Christ (1 Cor. 2:16) in written form. God expects all men to understand His Word alike (1 Cor. 1:10). Two cannot understand the Word differently. If they differ, at least one misunderstands.

God wants us to desire (Mt. 5:6; 1 Pet. 2:2), dig into (Jn. 5:39), divide (2 Tim. 2:15), discern and learn (Jn. 6:44-45) His Word. By so doing, freedom is gained (Jn. 8:32); faith is attained (Rm. 10:17); access to the Father is sustained (Jn. 6:44-45); man is perfected (2 Tim. 3:17); and the world neglected (2 Pet. 1:3; Jas. 4:4; 1 Jn. 2:15-17).

WHY DO PEOPLE FAIL TO UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE

BECAUSE THEY SIMPLY DO NOT STUDY IT.

Jesus would say to this generation what He said to His: “Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures…..” (Mt. 22:29). He would still admonish, “Search the scriptures…” (Jn. 5:39). Although most Americans own a Bible, use of the Bible varies significantly.

• Fifty-seven percent of adults do not read the Bible at all during a typical week.

• Only twelve percent said they read the Bible everyday and among these the average time was only seven minutes a day.

• In a poll taken by the Gallup Organization in October, 2000, 59% of Americans reported that they read the Bible at least occasionally, which is down from 73% in the 1980s. The percentage of Americans who read the Bible at least once a week is 37%—down from 40% in 1990.[2]

• Bible reading during a typical week drops as age drops: 50% of Elders (Builders and Seniors), 46% of Boomers, and 33% of Busters read the Bible in a typical week (2002).

• Among Bible readers, the average amount of time spent reading the Bible during an entire week is 52 minutes (1997).

Is it any wonder that thirty-one percent said, “The Bible is too difficult to understand?” It is impossible to have a saving and strengthening Scripture knowledge without regularly studying “the Book.” We do not expect to learn math, English, science, history, or literature without “cracking a book.” The Bible is no different! The Bereans are our example: “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11; cf. 2 Tim. 2:15).

Even many religious people do not study the Bible very diligently. Seventy-three percent of Catholics; 45% of Protestants (2002); and 40% of those who claim to be “born again” did not read the Bible in the past week (2001). Some have religious leaders who tell them they cannot understand it without explanation “from the priest.” Others simply accept traditions handed down from their parents and ancestors. It is safe to say that most religious people could not pick up a Bible and point to verses for what they believe and practice as their religion. Peter instructed us to “be ready always to give an answer” (1 Pet. 3:15). Paul said we should do all “in the name of Jesus” (Col 3:17), which means “by the authority of Jesus.” Jesus gives authority through His written Word. Some Christians spend more time with Swindoll or Lucado than they do Peter and Paul. The “Bible” needs to be put back as the centerpiece of our religious curriculum!

BECAUSE THEY DO NOT WANT TO UNDERSTAND IT.

Jesus said, “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved” (Jn. 3:19). The Bible condemns sins; therefore, it makes sinners uncomfortable. The deeds of darkness do not enjoy the limits of light. The Bible speaks of those who are “willfully ignorant” (2 Pet. 3:5). They fail to realize that ignorance does not excuse (Rm. 1:20; 2 Thes. 1:7-9).

The five key verbs for a Christian’s relationship to the Bible: Read, study, mediate, apply, teach.

Go to Part 2.