In the Beginning was Information

way its understanding is also a spiritual process requiring the collaborationof the Holy Spirit.Personal attitude: The Lord opens the Scriptures for those whoseek (Matthew 7:7, Luke 24:25) and who obey (2 Corinthians10:5). Access is denied to those who regard themselves as wise;those who are haughty and hard of heart exclude themselves (Exodus4:21, Isaiah 6:9-10. Ezekiel 2:4, Matthew 13:15, John 7:17).Biblical concepts: The overall conception of the Bible is that it iseasy to understand (2 Corinthians 1:13). Jesus used many parables 18to illustrate difficult spiritual relationships.When one reads philosophical treatises, legal expositions, or politicaldeclarations, one too often gains the impression that morethings are obscured than are explained. But the Bible is composedin such a way that a child can understand the fundamental assertionsand be blessed through the word. The only condition is thatthe heart must be open, then the following is applicable: “Blessedare your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear”(Matthew 13:16).There are also difficult passages in the Bible; when God said, “Mythoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. Asthe heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher thanyour ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9),then this also applies to his Word. Many passages cannot be understoodnow, but their meaning will be revealed when, for example,the prophetically designated time has arrived.18 Parables: It should be mentioned that the parables also have an exactly oppositefunction. There are people for whom the parables become a judgment:“This people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears”(Matthew 13:15). The effect the parables have depends on one’s attitude: “Theknowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but toothers I speak in parables” (Luke 8:10). “For everyone who has will be givenmore, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what hehas will be taken from him” (Matthew 25:29).144