Progressive Baptist Church's Website
Many, especially those who are young in the christian life, are at times troubled by skepticism. There are things in the Bible which they can not explain or understand. Satan uses these things to shake their faith in the Scriptures and cause them to doubt. They ask, "How can I know the right way? If the Bible is indeed the revealed Word of God, how can I be freed from this doubt?"
God never asks us to believe without giving sufficient evidence upon which to base our faith. His existence, His character, and the truthfulness of His word are all established by abundant testimony that appeals to our reason. But, God has never removed the possibility of doubt. Our faith must rest upon evidence, not demonstration. Those who wish to doubt will have opportunity; while those who really desire to know the truth will find plenty of evidence on which to rest their faith.
It is impossible for us to fully comprehend the character or the works of the Infinite One. Even the most highly educated mind can't comprehend the Holy Being because He must ever remain clothed in mystery. We can understand as much of His purpose as it is for our good to know. Beyond this, we must trust the One that has all power in His hand and a heart full of love. The word of God, like His character, presents mysteries that can never be fully understood by finite beings.
The entrance of sin, the incarnation of Christ, regeneration, the resurrection, and many other subjects of the Bible are mysteries too deep for the human mind to explain or fully comprehend. But we have no reason to doubt God's word because we can't understand the mysteries of His providence. In the natural world we are surrounded by things we can't understand. The very humblest forms of life present problems that the wisest of philosophers are powerless to explain. Why then, should we be surprised to find unexplainable things in the spiritual world? The difficulty lies in the weakness and narrowness of the human mind. But in the Scriptures, God has given us sufficient evidence, so even the narrowest of minds should not doubt His word.
The Apostle Peter says, "There are things in Scripture that are hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable forced unto their own destruction." The difficulties of Scripture have been urged by skeptics as an argument against the Bible. Even with difficulties, the Scriptures constitute strong evidence of divine inspiration. If the greatness and majesty of God could be grasped by our minds, then the Bible would not bear the unmistakable credentials of divine authority.
The Bible unfolds truth with a simplicity that caters to the needs and longings of the human heart. It has astonished and charmed the most highly cultivated minds, yet it enables the humble and uncultured to discern the way of salvation. The Bible simply states truths so elevated, so far reaching, so infinitely beyond the power of human comprehension that we can accept them only because God has declared them. Thus, the plan of redemption is laid open to us so that every soul may see the steps to take in repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible unfolds truths, yet beneath these truths lie mysteries that overpower the mind. But the sincere believer will be inspired to seek the truth with reverence and faith. The more he searches the Bible, the deeper is his conviction that it is the word of the living God, then human reason bows before the majesty of divine revelation.
To acknowledge that we can not fully comprehend the great truths of the Bible is only to admit that man, with limited human knowledge, can not understand the purposes of omniscience. Because they can not understand all the mysteries, the skeptics and infidels reject God's word; and not all who profess to believe the Bible are free from danger on this point.
The Apostle says, "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart or unbelief, in departing from the living God." It is right to study closely the teaching of the Bible, and to search into the deep things of God as they are revealed in Scripture. While the secret things belong to the Lord, those things which are revealed belong to us. But it is satan's work to pervert the investigative powers of the mind. A certain pride is mingled with the consideration of Bible truth so that men feel impatient and defeated if they can't explain every portion of Scripture to their satisfaction. It's too humiliating to them to acknowledge that they do not understand the inspired words. They are unwilling to wait until God reveals the truth to them. They feel that their unaided human wisdom is sufficient to enable them to comprehend the Scripture, and failing to do this, they deny its authority.
It is true that many theories and doctrines are supposed to be derived from the Bible have no foundation in its teaching. These things have been a cause of doubt and perplexity to many minds. They are not due to God's words, but to man's perversion of God's word. If it were possible for created beings to fully understand God and His works, there would be no further discovery of truth, no growth in knowledge, and no further development of mind. God would no longer be supreme and man would cease to advance. God is the Infinite One. In Him are "all the treasure of wisdom and knowledge." And to all eternity men may be ever searching, ever learning, and yet never exhaust the treasures of God's wisdom, goodness, and power.
God intends that the truths of His word shall be ever unfolding to His people. The only way we can obtain an understanding of God's word is through the illumination of the Spirit by which the word was given. But, we must have the simplicity and faith of a little child, ready to learn, and beseech the aid of the Holy Spirit. A sense of power and wisdom of God, and of our inability to comprehend His greatness, should inspire us with humility, and we should open His word, as we enter His presence. When we come to the Bible, reason must acknowledge an authority superior to itself, and heart and intellect must bow to the great I AM.
There are many things apparently difficult which God will make plain and simple to those who seek an understanding of them. But without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will continually misinterpret the Scriptures. When the Word of God is opened without reverence and without prayer; when the thoughts and affections are not fixed on God, the mind is clouded with doubt, and skepticism strengthens. The enemy takes control of the thoughts and he suggests interpretations that are incorrect. Whenever men are not seeking to be in harmony with God, they are liable to misunderstand the meaning of the Scripture. Those who look to the Scriptures to find discrepancies have no spiritual insight. With distorted vision, they will see many causes for doubt and unbelief in things that are really plain and simple.
Disguise it as they may, the real cause of doubt and skepticism, in most cases, is the love of sin. The teachings and restrictions of God's word are not welcome to the proud, sin-loving heart because it's much easier to doubt the authority of God's word. In order to arrive at truth, we must have a sincere desire to know the truth, and willingness to obey it. All who come in this spirit to study the Bible will find abundant evidence that it is God's word and they may gain an understanding of its truth.
Instead of questioning that which you do not understand, give heed to the light that already shines upon you. Perform every duty that has been made plain to your understanding and later you will be enabled to understand and perform those which you are now in doubt.
