That’s an interesting phrase isn’t it? A little outdated but still useful, indicating that what we’re trying to understand isn’t as complicated as others might suggest. In some ways it’s applicable to our study of the Bible. At our first effort to study the scriptures it may seem to be beyond our reach. Some of that feeling may be prompted by the version of the text we’re using; older versions present language that’s unfamiliar. And it is the case that some of the documents require more effort to understand them than others, but all the writings in the Bible are important for our study.

In order to prompt us in the effort, let me point out how important access to the text has been in the history of the faith. Prior to the development of the printing press in the Middle Ages scripture had to be preserved by copying it by hand, an arduous effort to be sure but one that was diligently applied in preserving the Old Testament by the Jewish community, then by the early Christians starting during the lifetime of the original apostles. This effort continued in the centuries that followed. Over time access to the text was limited to those who could read the text in the language in which it was preserved, namely Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. Prior to the invention of the printing press most people were unable to read at all. Then as more and more documents were made available it was still the case that only the educated could read the languages of scholarship. And in many places it was actually against the law to print the Bible in the everyday language used by common people. When I say against the law I mean that in certain times and places having a Bible written in everyday language could result in a death sentence. Nowadays it’s so easy to access the Bible in print or online that its value may not be appreciated. But just because it’s easy to get at we shouldn’t lose site of the fact that the Bible is the most important collection of documents in the history of humanity. We need to read it deliberately, thoroughly, and with gratitude for the tremendous gift that it is!

My question now is what place does the Bible have in your effort to understand yourself and the world around you? Our culture is filled with information of all types and coming through a variety of media. Communication is prolific, aggressive in its presentation, often demanding a response. It’s a mishmash of ideas presented in dialogue, in pictures, and in videos, and the purpose for this communication is an amalgam of efforts to sell product and ideas in order to persuade its recipients to accept what is being presented. What relevance can the Bible possibly provide in the midst of all this? After all it was written thousands of years ago. Nowadays we don’t have to look to a god for healing; mind and body are understood scientifically. Government is established by people not by the supernatural. Happiness is achieved through enterprise, by individuals in collaboration with one another. And we’re better off than people were centuries ago when they relied on superstitious resources like the Bible.

As Christians we may not consciously agree with this assessment, but this is the environment in which we’re being asked to study the scriptures. It goes against the grain. Slow down! Read rather than view! Think about what you’re reading; how do you make time for that? What can be gained from that when there are so many willing to tell us what the Bible says and what it means? Television, Facebook, Twitter, blogs like this!?

What we have to come to terms with is God has attached knowledge of His reality to the written word. That’s just the way it is and each of us must accept that. It makes sense in that the effort involved with serious study of the Bible requires determination. We need to want this! It isn’t going to be spoon-fed to us; it’s part of the process whereby we become mature believers dedicated to following God’s agenda. Our willingness to put out the effort helps qualify us to become better acquainted the Lord. And drawing close to Him is really what life is all about. This runs counter to whatever narrative is currently being promoted elsewhere. It may render us out of step, but so be it!

What’s more we are not alone in the effort. Studying the Bible is not like studying other material. God is invested in this and has provided the means whereby we can make progress in our understanding of Him. We have a helper. (See the Gospel of John chs.13-14) I’ve referred to this before but it deserves to be repeated: born-again believers receive the Holy Spirit when they repent of their sin and affirm the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. However, the presence of God’s Spirit in the believer is not simply a sign to validate true repentance and a restored relationship with the Lord; it’s a provision whereby we can make progress in our walk with God. It’s in collaboration with the Holy Spirit that we come to terms with ourselves and with those around us. But this renewal of heart and soul, this new approach to relating to others, is not simply the result of an inspiring Spirit prompting us to act differently. It is that; He does help us to find our way to a better life that brings peace to our souls and resolution in our relations with others. But He also helps us to understand ourselves in relation to God, to become increasingly familiar with the Lord’s ways, to recognize His agenda for His Church and the people who make up His gathering of souls. And one of the principle means for tutoring us in His ways is His involvement in our study of the scriptures. How does He do that?

It’s a combination of our efforts and His collaboration with us. There is a balance to be achieved in which we make use of the principles associated with the study of any written word, and combine them with our collaboration with God through prayer and communion with Him and other believers. Too often this balance is not achieved. Either too much emphasis is placed on direct revelation from the Lord that inspires our understanding, or the study of the text is reduced to an application of accepted principles associated with the evaluation of any document. The first tendency reflects a refusal to put out the required effort needed to increase our understanding of the text; the second tends toward maintaining control of the text without resorting to the supernatural dimension. What is necessary is that we continue to recognize the uniqueness of the text as the inspired work of Holy God while, at the same time, allowing for the fact that the Lord has utilized a common form of communication in His presentation of Himself and His ways.

This brings us back to the original consideration of this discussion. How difficult is the study of the Bible. Is it, or is it not rocket science? I suggested that it is not so complicated that it can only be studied by those who were formally trained to do it, confirming that it’s not rocket science as the phrase is meant to suggest. However there is a certain mystery associated with it because it amounts to a revelation of the ultimate reality: Holy God. Which means we’re not merely reading (and studying) a written communication of ideas; we’re engaging God’s presentation of Himself which He conveyed to us in a common form of communication.

What’s left to be said other than, “Go for it!”