Can anyone deny that there are passages in the Bible that are very hard to understand and sometimes hard to accept? The question is of course, rhetorical. Certainly no one could make such a claim. Those who would deny that there are difficult scriptures either do not spend much time in the Word or they are simply dishonest. I am not sure which of the two is worse.

From simple questions about where Cain’s wife came from, to more complex issues such as the apparent misquote in Matthew 27:9-10; there are literally scores of passages where there seems to be confusion. In some instances it is seems almost impossible to reconcile what is being said with other portions of scripture.

In ministry, it would be relatively easy to avoid the difficulties and not bring attention to them at all. Who would know? And if the Bible was just a book written by men, Biblicists such as me might be inclined to do just that. But the Bible is not just a book. It is the transmitted thoughts and will of Almighty God. It is the Word (and words) of God. It is the final and only authority on truth and fact.

Many have attacked it. Many have tried to prove it false, and in so doing, have been converted by its awesome power and authority. Men will claim that it is full of contradictions, but are not able to point out a single example to support their argument.

Knowing there are those who would jump at the chance to find problems in scripture should not make believers apprehensive or shy in declaring it the plenary word of the Living God. Nor should we refrain from using those portions we feel might pose difficulties to explain. Too often Bible teachers will avoid passages in their sermons and lessons because they imagine there is conflict in what the scripture says.

Difficulty in understanding a passage does not discredit what is being said. Rather it reflects on the knowledge level of the one who sees it as difficult. The fact that we cannot immediately understand or explain the difficulty away does not mean it cannot be solved with proper research and prayer. Sometimes that research takes a long time, but this is the case with almost anything that one wants to learn. I may not understand what the mechanic is telling me about needed vehicle repairs, but I could learn mechanics myself and gain that understanding if I was willing to make the effort.

In my formative years as a Christian, I came across many difficult or hard to understand passages in my studies. Indeed, some of what I read seemed illogical, perhaps even impossible and they tested my faith. Yet I trusted the authority of scripture and accepted it as truth. Years later, with a more sound knowledge of scripture, those same passages posed absolutely no difficulty to me whatsoever. With experience and broader familiarity with scripture, the once difficult passages became very easy to understand.

The Apostle Paul spoke of the “milk” and “meat” of the word. Christians must start out with the milk or easier-to-digest things of God before they are ready to consume the meatier things. It is the superficial or inexperienced reader who adds calamity to a difficult verse. They read something they do not understand and panic. Too often young Christians get bogged down trying to understand something that they simply are not capable of grasping at their present knowledge level. Sometimes spiritual anxiety over such small issues completely consumes them and they run around like Chicken Little declaring that their faith is falling.

The seasoned, faithful reader of the Bible knows that understanding will come in time after appropriate effort is invested in researching the perceived difficulty. They have been down this road before. They have come up against seemingly unexplainable passages that subsequent studies explained. There is always an explanation. God’s Word is always correct and without conflict or contradiction.

I am not trying to diminish the fact that there are very difficult passages of scripture that are problematic to the student of scripture. II Peter 3:16 confirms this. We are told:

“As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which

are some things hard to be understood which they that are unlearned

and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures…”

God openly tells us through the Apostle Peter that some of the things written in the Bible are hard to be understood and we wrestle with them. Why are they hard? Is it because God purposely wanted to hide something from us? Is it because God wants to play a game of cat and mouse with his higher knowledge? No. God does not play games. He wants us to understand, but that understanding must come when we are ready for strong meat. Believers must go through a growing process. Verse 18 of this chapter confirms this:

“But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior

Jesus Christ.”

In keeping with all the other passages that tell us to “study”, “prepare” or “learn”, we are told to “grow in grace”. The only way to grow in grace is to read the manual (the bible) faithfully and consistently, building ourselves up in knowledge and understanding.

Increasing our knowledge in the Bible is like any other thing we learn – we must study and learn in order to grow and excel. That is precisely why it is important to not shy away from difficult passages. We need to learn what they mean. If we shy away from them, our confidence in the word will wane and our regimen for study will eventually wane as well.

There really are no difficult passages. There is just a lack of understanding of those passages. This can be remedied through faithful study. The wisest advice I ever received from a man of God I would like to pass on here. He said “Put your nose in the book and keep your eyes on Jesus.” The meaning is clear; study and trust the Lord to bring you to a place of understanding.

Gary Kurz
http://www.articlesbase.com/religion-articles/difficult-verses-in-the-bible-127424.html

Vacation bible school is a popular summertime activity for children from the ages of 3 to 10, or thereabouts. In many cases there is much more emphasis on “vacation” than “bible,” which is understandable for the age group, although like everything else there is a broad range of types and styles of these programs.

Some parents do consider the religious component of primary importance, especially for older children, and will choose a program that has more structured bible studies, at least stories with biblical characters and themes. For other parents, the most important thing is the socialization of their children, and the interpersonal skills they will develop in the vacation bible school setting. Children instinctively like being around other children, for the most part, and this allows most kids the opportunity for a great deal of fun, along with some education, too.

Denominational or not
For parents of all Christian denominations, from Catholic to Pentecostal, vacation bible school is good for themselves as well as for the children. It is, for many families, a happy combination of childcare, play time, class projects and Sunday school. Among the religiously oriented programs, parents can seek out one with bible instruction that is appropriate for their denomination. If their own church is large enough to offer such a vacation program, they will most likely place their children in that one to maintain the peer group associations and continuity.

Interestingly, some Hindu, Buddhist and even Muslin parents, if they cannot locate a vacation program in their own faith system, will place their children in a Christian vacation bible school. They are more concerned with their children getting socialized, learning to play together, having a positive environment and learning ethical behavior than they are with having yet another source besides themselves for their children’s spiritual instruction. These days, they can choose from a variety of programs that emphasize common positive themes, citizenship and education as opposed to a steady diet of religious lessons.

From the kids’ point of view
Children are complex little creatures, as all parents know. But no matter how unique they are (and they all are), they share certain traits, worldwide and in all cultures. The reasons all children should enjoy vacation bible school include the most basic one, of course, which is that they are social animals that love to play. With the great mix of activities, for both body and mind, the good vacation bible schools will help children channel their abundant energies into good things. They will learn that learning itself is enjoyable, and that working hard can be its own reward and a source of continuing enjoyment, too.

Some few children will have a hard time adjusting, and others will not want to let go of mommy’s hand at the door on the first day. The fact is, a parent who relents and lets a child decide on her own not to attend, is robbing the youngster of a tremendous opportunity for growing and maturing. Letting go of their parents and establishing their own “person” in the world is at once a frightening and exciting thing for children, and parents simply must allow them to go through it. In the vast majority of cases, the child who arrives crying and missing mom and dad will be up to her elbows in finger paint by mid-morning.

The truth is, many people remember their vacation bible school experiences with great joy, and consider them important landmarks on their life’s journey. The benefits of this time spent in learning, play and some kid-style morality tales can last a lifetime. In fact, some people do not realize until much later in life the tremendous impact things like vacation bible school had on their thinking, their ethics and their lives. If you’re a parent with young children, there are few better ways to support their general growth, positive play activities, education and (low-key) moral instruction than with a couple of weeks of vacation bible school.

Danny Belks
http://www.articlesbase.com/christianity-articles/reasons-all-children-should-enjoy-vacation-bible-school-738894.html

As South Africans turn their hearts towards Christ, communities are being changed, and major societal problems are diminishing in Gods hands.

Color blind
Racial tensions, for example, have been extreme in this country that was formerly run by an all white government. Though the black population now has equal rights under the post apartheid leadership, they are frequently treated as outcasts by the white minority. As black citizens move into communities, white residents generally move out.

However, one pastor has challenged his all white congregation to be different. He has begun several bible studies where citizens of both races come together for the study of Gods Word. As a result, his church is growing, and tensions are diminishing. Other trained leaders are also following his example in beginning bi racial studies.

Combating AIDS with purity
As is the case with most of the continent, AIDS has also been wreaking havoc throughout South Africa. According to Operation World, it is the primary cause of death in South Africa, with more than a thousand victims buried daily. This devastating trend is due, in large part, to lifestyles of promiscuity.

Yet through Bible studies, South Africans are learning that God intended something much different. One bible study graduate says, My life is now completely changed. I started knowing how special I am before God. I even know that my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.

One by one, South Africans are dedicating themselves to purity, in thought and in deed. And as their behavior changes, their risk of contracting this deadly disease decreases dramatically.

Fire in the Church
It was by Gods grace that the bible League was able to begin ministry in South Africa during the late 90s. And since then, trained Christians have been working faithfully to place Scriptures, in seven different languages, into the hands of many South Africans whose hearts have been prepared by the Holy Spirit. What is more, since each Bible recipient has graduated from a Bible study, he or she has at least a basic understanding of the salvation message it holds.

One pastor reports, My people have started to read their Bibles and share the Gospel with their friends and neighbors. And I never stop receiving new members for classes and baptism. We are a church on fire!

On our knees
We thank God for the tremendous work that He is doing throughout South Africa. And we know as we continue to place His Word throughout this country, the healing is sure to continue.

John Savage
http://www.articlesbase.com/religion-articles/bible-studies-improve-south-african-communities-86405.html