Clear, Plain and Obvious
 

            While contemplating the meaning of certain passages of scripture, I am often comically amazed with the ease of interpretation some speakers and writers so glibly recite. They almost absentmindedly rattle off, “It is clear the scripture says thus and so”, or “This passage plainly means this”, or “It is simply saying”, whatever seems obvious to them.

            If it is so clear, plain and obvious, why insult the listener by telling him what he can clearly, plainly and obviously see himself?

            I rather think scripture is not so simple. If it were, a casual reading or two should suffice. Viewing the marvelous creations of God, are we not awed by His intricate complexity and do we not expect His word to be likewise? The heart’s grasp of the Word operates best within a childlike humility, gradually changing us into the image of Christ. The moment we say, “I know”, we sometimes close the door to whole concepts of truth, never before realized.

Let the strength and truth of the bible expositor’s teaching rise or sink without the qualifying words clear, plain and obvious. I rather imagine though, most will continue to pound the credibility pulpit of how simple it is, when their proud heart thinks it understands.

Humility consistently examines what we believe or think we believe, constantly adjusting our wielding of truth. As long as we see through a glass darkly, why not continue to search but be willing to be quietly amazed, even though such revelation may disturb the comfortable legalistic plateau of clear, plain and obvious?