THE BIBLE - ENCHANTING IN ITS SIMPLICITY

THE BIBLE

Sola Scriptura

ENCHANTING IN ITS SIMPLICITY

Stes de Necker

Many Christians became accustomed to the idea that we must leave the interpretation of the Bible to the so-called ‘experts’. As if Christians can only read and understand the Bible correctly if it is explained and interpreted by the so called ‘Pharisees’, or those one’s who are qualified enough to do so.

Therefore many believers tend to latch on to the devotions of what the so-called experts say about the Bible, rather than the Bible itself. 

 

Sermons are expressed to meditations of some witty preachers on certain Christian issues. Ministers will often refer to some Bible verse without getting to the interpretation and application thereof.  It is almost medieval: You can only understand the Bible if one of the learned group of ‘Pharisees’ is doing it for you.    

  

The text of Scripture is overshadowed by external measures while some ministers preach their own understanding of the message context of a Bible portion louder than the text or the essence of the message itself!

For the modernist is what passes the test of his intellect or reason, decisive. For the post-modernist there is room for differences on core issues of the Bible and eventually the Bible must fit into their opinions patiently. 

     

Much is said about the Bible or what the Bible would have said, while the Bible itself is never given the opportunity to speak for itself!     

At least two clear consequences stem from this:

Firstly, there is rambling among theologians and ministers about what the Bible actually teaches about certain issues: the resurrection of Jesus Christ; the devil; homosexuality; sex outside marriage.

Some may have the view of no sex outside of marriage as recognized by the state, so they add almost reluctantly the word "preferably" to this sin.  Nobody wants to be too absolute in order not to exclude or alienate people who may think differently. 

 

Secondly, there occurs a philosophy away from Scriptural truths and a relativism of the Biblical meaning of issues or ethical issues.

It’s almost if the Biblical text or religious constants do not operate within the context of life itself.  As if the Biblical truth is no more the road map for life itself, but merely some guidelines for everyday life.  

 

With only the biblical text itself, people have no hope for salvation. It is now the Bible ‘plus’.

Anyone who takes the text seriously and use that as the starting point run the risk of being earmarked a fundamentalist.   

Naturally Biblical interpretation needs to be associated with sound principles. But as Christians we should understand that the Bible is clear and understandable and gives sufficient guidelines and prescript for our salvation in all facets of life.  

Scripture alone is sufficient - sola scriptura. 

It is in fact one of the starting points of the reform of the Christian church.

Even today in 2015, Scripture does not leaves us with a vacuum or a embarrassment. It leaves us to follow the path of a Christian; to live a life with God. 

The closer you are to the Word, the clearer and simpler the meaning will become for your life.