2nd Book

Chapter 6: God makes it work [∞]

You will get an understanding of scripture because God wants you to know him.

You have previously read the Bible and studied in order to understand what the human author said. Now you will learn to read the Bible to discern what God said.

We have a clue to get started.

Jesus said the scriptures speak of him. God's intended meaning is to speak of Christ.

▸ ± Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

▸ ± Lu 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

▸ ± Lu 24:44-47 And he said unto them, These [are] the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and [in] the prophets, and [in] the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

God opened their understanding

Protestants use the un-simple word 'perspicuity' to say that the Bible is simple to understand. I once heard a preacher say that the Bible was so easy to understand that a moron like him could understand it. If I remember correctly, I heard him preach for an hour on how he still did not understand why we should not boil a calf in it's mother's milk.

Though many are not so bold to declare their ignorance, some shield it by telling of four or five opinions on a text to show they have done their homework, but fail to establish which is true thereby implying that truth doesn't matter. This is a hostile approach to God's word.

Why should we care about the opinions of men when we are able to know what God intended? If the Bible were simple and plain to understand, Jesus would not have needed to "open ... their understanding".

Prior to the cross, God had to hide the cross in riddle so that they would not understand and believe. If they could believe and be saved by teaching alone, the cross would not be required. Without the cross we would not have the full revelation of God; he is Holy and Love.

God will open your understanding as he enables you through his wisdom to unpack his prophetic riddles concerning Christ. The key to his purpose and teaching is the cross.