Can I Get to the Bottom of It?

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From the book of Deuteronomy we read,

“For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart that you may do it.” (Deuteronomy 30:11-14)

The writer asks, “Can an average person without a Ph.D. in science or theology acquire a correct understanding of what the Bible means just by reading an accurate translation on their own?”

He goes on to ask, “Did God communicate clearly what He wants to say to people at any time and in any culture?” He notes after his questions, “The answers matter.” (Questions posed by Randy J. Guliuzza, P.E., M.D., in his article titled, “The Need For Biblical Clarity)

As I read the article from the monthly publication Acts & Facts, which is published by the Institute For Creation Research (a publication which you can receive by just writing to them at ICR, P.O. Box 59029, Dallas, Tx. 75229), I was motivated to share this Scripture from Deuteronomy.

Whether it is a matter of being intimidated, which can happen to any of us if challenged by certain individuals with some sort of scholastic label attached to the end of their name, or whether we want someone else to do the work for us when it comes to understanding the Bible, or whether we just lack the commitment to read and study and pray . . . it behooves us to grasp that God has communicated to His people, and in such a way for them to be able to understand His Word.

Rightly dividing (II Timothy 2:15) the Word of God is our instruction and it appears from what God has said that if we do this, yes, we too, can have “a correct understanding of what the Bible means.”

Jesus said, to those who were His disciples,

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:12-13)

No degrees, no titles after their names, but to those who believe on Him and are born again of the Spirit of truth, this same Spirit will indwell such a believer and will,

“. . . guide (them) into all truth”

Philip was not dependent on the scholarly teacher when he spoke with the Ethiopian eunuch. The Bereans were not tied to the elite thinkers when they checked their Scriptures to verify what the apostle Paul had said to them. The New Testament was written, in its original form, in koine Greek, the language of the common people.

The author noted in the forefront of this devotion has stated well: “Theological and scientific elites insert themselves as an essential interpretive filter between the Bible and its readers. The truth underlying biblical clarity sets the Christian free from this bondage since it places readers directly under the authority of the Bible, not the elite.”

Oh so very well stated and so important that you and I grasp this. The clarity of Scripture is a very important doctrine to know and understand. Evolutionists and theistic Evolutionists and the like are quick to claim that only they can make the Scriptures clear and understood. This same frame of mind existed in the days of Wycliffe and Hus and Luther and Calvin and Tyndale and led to a heretical church that dominated the masses with false teaching.

William Tyndale’s labor to see that the Word of God was translated into the language of the people speaks to us today, as he championed the essential doctrine of biblical clarity;

“I defy the Pope, and all his laws; and if God spares my life, I will cause the boy that drives the plow in England to know more of the Scriptures than you!”

Dr. Guliuzza notes, “It seems that God delights in being very plain in what He says so that everyone can clearly get His message.”

No doubt that we can benefit from the works of learned men, men who have arduously labored to help in conveying the Word rightly divided. Word studies and historical information help us very much in our study of God’s Word. But, Dr. Guliuzza warns,

“Christians should not allow additional sources to distort the plain meaning of the words in their context.”

There is much more to say on this matter, but in summation, in regards to our attempt to read and study the Scriptures, we ask ourselves, “Can I get to the bottom of it?” And the answer is, “Yes you can!”