People often ask the question above, as they struggle with the conflicting doctrines and practices that are found among religious people. The question is valid, though present day attitudes toward such diverse thoughts and practices are not.
Many in positions of authority talk as if such diversity is to be expected, and even inevitable. They contend that it is not possible to have unity in doctrine and practice. Some may contend that truth itself is relative. Your truth may not be the same as mine. Others claim that men are not capable of understanding God’s revelation. And some say that God’s revelation is not sufficiently clear in all areas to be understood.
When the question of understanding came up as a result of Jesus’ teaching, He responded in an interesting way. In Mark 8 He told His disciples to “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod” (15). The disciples did not understand His words, thinking that He was talking about a lack of food among them. He rebuked their ignorance of His true meaning, as He had already shown them his ability to miraculously supply food to eat. He asked them, “Do you not yet perceive or understand? Is your heart still hardened? Having eyes, do you not see? And having hears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?” (17-19). Ultimately, he asked them, “How is it you do not understand?” (21).
Notice here that Jesus expected their understanding. Their experience was sufficient and His words were sufficiently clear. There was what He actually meant, and what they mistakenly thought. They were not welcome to their own views of His words, He required of them a recognition of His teaching and His warning.
Any time you hear someone reasoning that diversity in doctrine and practice as Christians is acceptable and reasonable, you need to remember Jesus’ attitude was different. In fact, the imperative of scripture is to understand truth, not merely settle for any novel “interpretation” that man may supply for himself.
Consider first that the “reasoning among themselves” (16) did not establish truth. Their human reasoning was at odds with Christ’s words. Human reasoning is most often guilty of this very thing. What we think must never be accepted over what has actually been revealed! Consider Paul’s words, “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5).
It is common for men to elevate their own wisdom above God’s word. They may consider the Bible to lack relevance, or simply think they know better. Pilate seemed to have such an attitude. When Jesus revealed His purpose in coming to earth was to “bear witness to the truth.” Pilate responded, “What is truth?” (John 18:37,38). The unwillingness to differentiate between Divine truth and the views of mere man has been the cause of much digression and sin.
Humans can also be extremely obstinate. When presented with truth, they simply refuse to acknowledge it. To do so would necessitate a change in their perception of the world. An interesting example of such a change is found in the disciples of the Lord. After Jesus had fed a multitude with a few loaves and fishes, on another occasion he walked to the boat where His disciples were, in the middle of the sea. The text of Mark 6 says they were troubled
when they saw Him, thinking He was a ghost. When He identified himself, and the wind ceased as He entered the boat, they marveled. Mark said it was because “they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened” (52). It is hard to accept something that differs so greatly from your own experiences and knowledge.
Finally, Matthew’s account of Jesus’ warning about the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees notes a specific reason for their lack of understanding. The disciples lacked understanding about the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees was because they had “little faith” (Matthew 16:8). The phrase, “O you of little faith” is one used a number of different times by the Lord in the gospels. All reference a failure to trust the authority and power of God. In Matthew 6:30 and Luke 12:28, it resulted in anxiety about provisions for necessities. In Matthew 8:26, they feared the winds and the waves of the sea, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” In Matthew 14:31, Jesus uttered the phrase as the boisterous waves caused Peter to begin to sink when “he had come down out of the boat” to walk “on the water to go to Jesus.”
We accept God by faith. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Our faith is rooted in rationality, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalms 19:1). However, there are many who struggle with acknowledging the Divine, and the preeminence and power that identify Him. The idea that He exists, and has revealed Himself to us is difficult for some to accept. The further idea that His revelation consists of directions and obligations He has given us to fulfill is likewise problematic. But it is true, and not only can we understand His will, it is incumbent upon us to believe it and obey it.
