THE CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO UNDERSTAND BIBLICAL MYSTERIES
Whether we accept it or not, God has filled the Bible with mysteries by many names. In fact, there are so many mysterious, impossible to understand scriptures,there would not be much left of the Bible if they were all removed.

AUTHORS’ NOTE: See Literal or Symbolic Interpretation Part 2 for discussion of issues related to interpreting Biblical mysteries.

The result of the inability to understand Biblical mysteries is that the doctrines religious leaders (i.e. false prophets)  frame and promote are flawed because they have only part of the picture of God and his ways. Doctrines and teachings are flawed because religious leaders have erroneously simplified Biblical truths from a few select scriptures that they can explain in natural terms. They persuasively attract gullible followers who don’t know any better than to interpret the Bible literally and are impressed with the smooth speech of anyone who can convince them that they understand God’s written word. They present a small view of a very big God. And it all happens because they read the Bible for literal understanding only, without digging for God’s symbolic intent that reveals the depths of his character. In their search for simplicity they have effectively eliminated  the mystery of God and reduced him to something people can understand with little or no effort.

This is lazy, irresponsible scholarship that places leaders in danger of correction by God. Because of their unwillingness to search out the mysteries of God and their eagerness to establish a movement and make a name for themselves, they have led people astray. God has warned leaders about doing this in James 3 and Matthew 23:1-15. Of course this type of teaching is readily accepted by rank and file denominational adherents because they are lazy scholars also and all too willing to accept the teaching of someone who preaches/teaches with conviction and uses select scriptures to support his/her teaching.

How much better off these teachers and students would have been if they had been zealous to understand God’s mysteries and willing to make the effort to search out the truth.