{"id":39674,"date":"2019-08-26T17:23:11","date_gmt":"2019-08-26T15:23:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kernbeisser.ch\/the-desire-for-a-simple-message\/"},"modified":"2024-11-18T20:11:40","modified_gmt":"2024-11-18T18:11:40","slug":"the-desire-for-a-simple-message","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kernbeisser.ch\/en\/the-desire-for-a-simple-message\/","title":{"rendered":"The desire for a “simple” message"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_column_text text_lead=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”100991″]Someone said to me the other day: “The way you’re telling it, it can’t be true. It’s getting far too difficult. The gospel isn’t that difficult, is it?”.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

What is difficult?<\/h3>\n

I encounter such a statement again and again: “What you say here is too difficult”. The background for such a reaction is always the confrontation with a Christian tradition. “Difficult” comes when a tradition (whatever it may be) is questioned. “Unbearably difficult” it becomes when I point out that this or that view is genuinely nowhere in the Bible.<\/p>\n

Want an example? There are many dogmas and teachings that are not mentioned anywhere in the Bible. For example, a Trinity, original sin, absolute free will, an immortal soul, or the doctrine of hell. Surprisingly, it is often these concepts that people choose as the basis of their faith – and so it is encouraged in communities. Anyone who doubts just one of these topics is immediately suspected of being a heretic – even if neither Moses nor Jesus nor any of the apostles ever spoke of them. Anyone who does not believe these dogmas cannot hope for a position in a church or free church. The idea of what is “biblical” and what is not is completely divorced from a biblical rationale in many circles. This is neither a heretical statement nor an accusation, but a sober observation.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, there are expressions that are very much in the Bible but are vehemently rejected, such as the “reconciliation of the universe” (Col 1:20), a salvation by faith alone (Eph 2:8-10), and other issues.<\/p>\n

What is difficult now?[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Rethinking is difficult<\/h3>\n

In particular, the doctrine of hell is deeply ingrained in many people. Unfortunately, this leads again and again to fear, to rejection of the God of the Bible, to stressful uncertainty about salvation and these things more. A serious conversation about heaven and hell inevitably leads to the examination of this doctrine. If you then show from the basic text and the context that there is nothing to it, then that can cause fear. What is “difficult” is not the statements themselves. It is difficult to come to terms with one’s own image of God, with one’s internalized beliefs.<\/p>\n

Rethinking is demanding.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

It’s all very simple<\/h3>\n

The truth is that the Bible or the Gospel are not difficult. It is quite simple:<\/p>\n