When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law. [Matthew 7:28-29 (NLT)]
The gospel is so simple that small children can understand it, and it is so profound that studies by the wisest theologians will never exhaust its riches. [Charles Hodge]
As much as I enjoy reading the works of authors like C.S. Lewis, A.W. Tozer, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and N.T. Wright, I admit to not always understanding exactly what they’re saying. Nevertheless, thinking me an expert, a friend sent me an article written by a well-known Christian theologian and asked for my thoughts. Unfortunately, I had none because I couldn’t make sense of it. When I reluctantly admitted my bewilderment, my friend admitted the same. Although we both tried to understand the author, neither of us could discern his point. He appeared to have used a great many fancy words to say very little. While another scholar might make sense of his words, we two reasonably intelligent believers couldn’t. Unfortunately, some pastors, theologians, Christian writers, and fellow believers unnecessarily complicate faith and our relationship with God.
When I couldn’t comprehend a sermon or a Christian writer’s words, I used to think I wasn’t smart enough or my faith wasn’t deep enough. But, just because we’re not as theologically learned, philosophical, or contemplative as others, doesn’t mean we’re mentally deficient or have less faith. Being a follower of Christ doesn’t require some secret knowledge and there’s nothing wrong with us if we don’t always understand what a pastor says or a theologian writes. The Holy Spirit will help us understand all that we need to understand.
God didn’t make all of us deep thinkers; He didn’t have to! His message isn’t intended for a select few religious scholars and intellectuals. When Jesus gave His “Sermon on the Mount,” He wasn’t speaking to the religious elite; He was speaking to a crowd of ordinary people like you and me. His message was simple, straightforward, heartfelt, and God-breathed.
While we never will be able to fully understand God’s plan of salvation through Jesus, there is nothing mysterious, hidden, or cryptic about it. After years of listening to sermons in church, it was a simple pamphlet with stick figures from Campus Crusade that finally explained the gospel message for me! Before Holy Communion at our liturgical church, we proclaim the “mystery of our faith” by saying: “Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.” It’s really that simple!
During Saturday evening worship last week, the soloist sang “Yes, my Jesus Loves Me,” a beautiful song based on the well-known children’s hymn. Before starting her sermon, our pastor thanked the singer. She then told the congregation that if we took nothing more away from the service than the knowledge that Jesus loves us, we will have taken away all that we needed to know! Now, there’s a preacher who knows how to put her message in words we all can understand!
We should never disparage our faith or apologize because we’re not scholars or academically trained. Moreover, let us never allow our amateur status keep us from sharing the gospel message. Jesus spent His time with common people, not theologians and academics. Peter, the rock on which the Christian church is built, was a fisherman, as were most of the disciples. The Apostle Paul, as a Pharisee, was the only theologian in the group! What mattered was that they loved Jesus and spread His message far and wide. If all anyone knows after speaking with us is that Jesus loves them, they’ve taken away a powerful message, indeed!
As well might a gnat seek to drink in the ocean, as a finite creature to comprehend the Eternal God. A God whom we could understand would be no God. If we could grasp Him, He could not be infinite. If we could understand Him, He could not be divine. [Charles Spurgeon]
Devotions of the Heart 