God
gave the Bible so that all may understand it, not only the
learned
The prophecies and doctrines in the Bible are clear; anyone can understand them without having to have studied theology, Greek, Hebrew, hermeneutics, etc., nor having to graduate from a seminary. God does not give His revelations so that only a few experts can understand them. He gives them so that fishermen and all his children may have access to the truth, if indeed they desire to know the truth.
The Lord Jesus said once that God had revealed these things to the little and not to the learned and expert. Hence, we don't necessarily need to be learned or experts to understand.
“At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.” (Mt 11:25)
“In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes; even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.” (Lk 10:21)
"To
clearly understand a biblical truth takes a child; to complicate it, obscure
it, and twist it, takes a theologian".
Let's be alert so that we may remain honest when we discuss our beliefs. Let's avoid setting dogmas. In most cases those believers that discuss a subject limit themselves to setting dogmas about their opinions and beliefs. In other words they assert their opinions so that they may be believed without a friendly discussion of the subject. It is the attitude of “believe what I say, because I know more than you”, or because “I have an inspiration that comes from beyond”. This is a common attitude in everyone, but is a more prevalent inclination when we are dealing with religious beliefs, because many of the believers think that they have received, by “direct connection” from the regions beyond, the revelation that what they are thinking is the truth.
These brethren do not realize that if, in effect, the Holy Spirit had placed in their hearts or minds that thought or doctrine that they now have, He would have also given them words and wisdom to be able to support that belief, as our Lord Jesus Christ promises in Luke 21:15.
“For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.” (Lk 21:15)
In other words, when our beliefs were truly inspired by the Holy Spirit, we also receive the gift of effective defense of what we believe and with solid arguments. We must not engage in a mutual swapping of Scripture portions, but rather demonstrate that our friend's biblical quotes are erroneously applied; and at the same time, that our quotes make sense.
If we cannot support it, or if we avoid friendly discussion with our brethren, it is because inside ourselves we know that the idea is only our own, it is not a case of heavenly inspiration. But we like to engage in that harmful fantasy. We should never avoid discussing our faith and hope, since the apostle Peter challenges us to act in this way.
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (I P 3:15)
"Discussions
are like light, they only bother those that prefer
darkness"