You make lots of assumptions that I believe are not warranted. For instance, you imply that the Scripture verses you cite are “simple” to grasp. Ever pondered exactly what it means to “cometh to the Father”? Or the meaning of the threefold “way, truth and the Life”, including the subtle distinctions between the three concepts? Ever wondered whether there is more to “cometh to the Father except by me” than simply a statement that one is to believe the literal, historical account of the life of Jesus? And don’t even get me started on “Born Again” ... one of the most abused and misapprehended concepts in the modern Church.
In short, you import or transpose your own extra-Biblical intrepetive technique (one might call the technique “simplification”) onto Scripture. It is not inherent in Scripture itself.
I wasn’t remarking that the Gospel is simple to grasp (though it is). No, I was pointing out that it is spiritually discerned. Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God (Christ’s words not mine.)
Isn’t your saying that I make many assumptions itself an assumption? You assume that you KNOW the things you speak of [and that I am in error]. Could YOU possibly be the one that is in error?
You say, for example “Don’t get you started on the phrase “born again.” You say it is often misused/abused. Yet, how do you KNOW it is not YOU that is misuing/abusing it? Are you not assuming your own understanding, or, perhaps some preacher/priest/commentator that you enjoy (let’s assume s/he is human) waxed eloquent on the subject. Aren’t you assuming something about THEIR understanding of this scripture. What if you are sitting under the sounds of false teaching? Would you even know? Would pride prevent you from getting up and walking away?
Oh, and I particularly like the comment about the “simplification” technique you say I use to understand/present the scripture. Not too condescending, is it? When it says in Acts “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved,” what complicated, sophisticatd, intellectually massive doctrine do you think the Holy Spirit [through Paul] is delivering?
The Gospel of Jesus Christ IS simple to understand (even a child can do it!) Do you not know the scriptures?
Luke 18:17
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
No. The problem here isn’t simple or complicated. Naive or intellectual. The problem has to do with spiritual discernment. Rom. 8:9 Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
19For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
22For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29That no flesh should glory in his presence.
30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Ask, and it shall be given you. Seek and ye shall find. Knock, and the door shall be opened unto you. My it be your joy this season to seek Him with all your heart that you might find Him who is born King of the Jews (and King of Kings and Lord of Lords)