JABBERWOCKY! (FAITH VS. UNDERSTANDING)- BY PASTOR GREG ELKAN

_Twas brillig, and the slithy toves_

_Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;_

_All mimsy were the borogoves,_

_And the mome raths outgrabe._ 

– “Jabberwocky” (Lewis Carroll)

The opening lines of today’s post are gotten from “Jabberwocky”, a poem found in the classic children’s book _“Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There”_ by Lewis Carrroll (a sequel to the more famous “Alice in Wonderland”).

It’s been some years since I read the book, but I was reminded of Mr. Carroll’s “Jabberwocky” poem because of recent observations I had of the way some Christians and (sadly) preachers interpret the Bible. the Bible is God’s word to us, and is the only inspired book on which any person may safely rely to receive instruction for salvation and spiritual  growth (2Ti 3:15-16).

Nevertheless, divine as its origins may be, the Bible is not a ‘spirit’ book. The words in it are not esoteric, they are _human_ words expressed in _human_ language.

We don’t need faith to understand the Bible; we only need faith to _believe_ it. For example, the contents of John 3:16 is understandable to every human being who reads it carefully; Whether they believe it or not is where faith  comes in. 

This distinction is important; because it will firstly make every Believer know that they can understand the Bible themselves. Secondly, and probably more importantly, it will save the Believer from being misled by strange Bible interpretation methods that false preachers use to promote heretical and dangerous teachings.

Not many will be able to understand Lewis Carroll’s _“Jabberwocky,”_ but everyone can understand the Bible. 

To paraphrase the words of a certain Bible teacher, _“The Bible, as simple as it is, is very complex; and as complex as it is, is very simple!”_

[to be continued]

PASTOR GREG ELKAN.

More Blessings await you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus’ Name.