Across the American church, pastors and lay people alike seem to assume that Scripture is just too complicated for someone without a seminary degree.
Or at the very least, a devotional or curriculum written by someone with the degree.
Sure, you can read it - but you're just going to be lost and confused.
Still, even though we don't really seem to believe it in practice, there is a term to describe the Bible's availability to all, degree or not: "Perspicuity".
The "Doctrine of the Perspicuity of the Scriptures" is the belief that, although there are some things in the Bible that are tough to comprehend or interpret properly even with deep study, the basic messages of the Bible are clear to all, especially anything directly pertaining to salvation.
The doctrine of perspicuity is foundational for my dissertation. I'm a believer. You can gain meaningful, life-changing direction from the pages of Scripture.
In fact, the whole project will be pretty useless if it turns out that the ordinary guy or gal in the average church CAN'T understand the Bible without expert guidance and commentary.
I anticipate facing this hurdle: convincing people that they don't have to lean on the "experts" to hear God speak to them through Scripture.
(In fact, turning to the experts as your default position is counter-productive to your spiritual health.)
No comments:
Post a Comment