Why is the Bible not understood?  Why do the majority of Americans not know the Scriptures?  When by this time America ought to be the teacher of the Bible to the entire world, they have become ignorant of any words within it.  Why is this so?

It is simply so because those who have read the Bible have closed their mouth.  Those who have understood the mysteries of the Bible have kept silent.  They raise children and do not teach them.  They had ignored the plight of the strangers around them.  And by their silence, they have not taught themselves.  For where they were silent, sin was not!

But many will say, “I have read the Bible I have spoken of the Bible but they will not listen”.  If this is true then let me provide an opportunity for consideration.  Do you understand the following text?

24 After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”

25 “Yes, he does,” he replied.

When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?”

26 “From others,” Peter answered.

“Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. 27 “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.” (Matthew 17)

Can you explain what Jesus intended when he said, “Then the sons are exempt.”  This passage should not have mystery attached.  It should be easily understood, not only by the teachers in the church, but by the body of believers also.

There are several layers of understanding in this tiny passage.  And this is just one passage of thousands that are misunderstood, or not considered at all.  Why is this?  Why has America thrown the gospel away?  Is it because Christians have not understood the intricate beauty within the Scriptures?

I propose that they have not understood the intricate beauties of the Scriptures because they have fully understood the intricate beauty of enticements from the world. 

In the 50’s and 60’s, the church watched in horror as their children cast off the Scriptures.  But as they watched, their children did not perish or suffer.  The children gained ground and prospered! So the parents began to cast off the Scriptures themselves.  En masse they yearned after the things of this world.  And the beautiful intricacies of the Holy Word were left behind.

Make excuses for them, many scholars will.  “You have no empathy for those people.  America had suffered under two world wars and the Korean Conflict.  Death had taken their sons and they no longer had the stomach to watch them go. They were tired and wanted relief.  The advent of innovation not only promised, but delivered.  The enticement was not their fault”.

Things are as they are.  I do not write this post to debate my empathy for those who have sinned.  I have written this post to ask the question, “Why has America not understood the Bible and the beautiful intricacies there in?”

But take note of the attack such questions raise.  An earnest seeking for the answer is never the response.  It is always the way of a perverse people to accuse he who asks.  It is always the way of a perverse people to find excuse.  America is perverse and unholy!  I only asked why.