Can We Understand the Bible?

Many individuals are of the conviction that the Bible cannot be properly understood.  Perhaps they are discouraged by the wide range of contradictory doctrines that fly under the banner of so-called ‘Christianity.’ Perhaps their ‘religious leader’ has told them that understanding Scripture is a privilege reserved primarily for those who have been ‘ordained’ as ‘clergy.’  Or maybe it is the case that they believe that since the Bible is a book supposedly written by God that it is written in some sort of cryptic, mystical language. 

It is true that some portions of God’s word are more difficult to understand than others.   The apostle Peter said that Paul, in his letters spoke “of these things, in which are some things hard to understand” (2 Peter 3:16). 

However, on the whole, and especially in regard to what someone needs to understand and know to be saved, we can understand the Bible.  The Bible says, “belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17 ASV).  Belief (i.e. faith) is essential to salvation: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).  Therefore, biblical belief presupposes a ‘hearing’ or understanding of God’s word.  Paul wrote under the assumption that his readers could understand exactly what he was trying to communicate: “When you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Eph. 3:4).  “Mystery” in that verse does not mean something that is impossible to be understood with certainty.  Rather, it refers a thing that was previously unknown but now is known.  Paul prayed for the recipients of his letter, “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” (Eph. 1:17-18).  Furthermore, Paul exhorted, “do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17).  Notice from these verses how Paul emphasized that we can understand what God’s will is.

From this small selection of passages, one who claims the Bible is God’s book would be hard-pressed to hold the position that the biblical writers viewed their message as something that cannot be understood.  On the contrary, the Bible teaches that one facet of saving faith is the understanding and assurance of the things recorded therein.  

The assertion that the Bible cannot be understood on the basis of its divine authorship fails to understand the character of Scripture.  In considering this idea of whether or not God can make Himself understood through His words, consider soberly this excerpt from an article entitled “Can We Understand the Bible Alike” by Wayne Jackson, writer at The Christian Courier: 

“We operate daily upon the presumption that we, frail mortals though we are, can make ourselves understood to our peers. A department store places an advertisement in the newspaper about an upcoming sale. Hundreds of people flock to the same establishment on the correct day at the right time expecting specific items at a certain price to be available for purchase. How is it that they understand the ad alike?  If we can sensibly operate our lives on a routine basis, recognizing that we are able to communicate with one another in an intelligible fashion, why can’t we acknowledge that God, who is infinitely wiser and abler than man, can clearly make his will known to humanity.  If one suggests that Jehovah could not clearly make himself known to man, he reflects upon the power of the Lord. If one argues that God purposely did not reveal himself to mankind in a lucid fashion, he reflects upon the benevolence of his maker. If one contends that man has no responsibility to understand and obey the precepts of the Scriptures, it is he who evidences great ignorance of his obligation to Heaven.

J.I Packer rightly stated, “The fundamental mode whereby our rational Creator guides his rational creatures is by rational understanding and application of his written Word.”

The Bible is written on a reading level within the reach of most.  Depending on which translation you use, the reading level ranges from grade three to grade twelve.  While I do not recommend every translation, I do suggest that most everybody is capable of reading and understanding what the Bible has to say.  Perhaps it is a lack of interest, initiative or diligence that is to blame for more people not knowing and understanding the Bible: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).