Why is god so vain?

“Why is God so vain?”

  God isn’t vain. It is our perception of God and the attributes that WE assign to God that allows one to perceive of God as vain.

Man wrote the Bible and assigned all the attributes therein to God.

  “Why does everyone discount the possibility of “Creative Evolution”?”

  Isn’t it possible that there is a God but that It didn’t create “us” but instead created our soul-entity and left it up to our soul-entities to create, through (controlled) evolution, the environment and bodies that they needed to exist in within the physical dimension?

It is just possible that WE are not yet advanced enough to comprehend that there are partial truths with Darwinists, Creationists and Intelligent Design proponents?

   “Do you believe in the Bible?”

  No!

In contrast to believing in the Bible, I believe:

1. That God is that Creative/Causative Force that exists before the beginning of the universe/time and continues to exist outside of the universe and time.

2. That “Force” created/caused the spiritual/soul entities to come into being.

3. The spiritual/soul entities continued the “Creation” with the “Big Bang”. And, through evolution and possibly subtle manipulations, have caused the current state of affairs.

4. The spirits/souls choose to inhabit the various physical bodies that they have created in order to experience physical reality.

5. When bodies die the spirit/soul continues to exist and often times reincarnates into another body in order to continue its growth.

6. The purpose of it all is for the spirits/souls (entities) to gain knowledge and experience and to ultimately rejoin or evolve back into the Oneness of God.

  The Bible is a book of history and guidance for peoples of certain times. The Old Testament was meant for the societies and peoples of ancient times. The New Testament was meant to change much of the Old Testament law and to guide the society and people of two thousand years ago.

The Bible worked during the time periods it was meant to cover. Its guidance protected the people and gave value and purpose to their lives.

The problem is that the Bible was meant for past eras and was successful therein. It, however, did not keep up with the times and technologies during the advancement of mankind.

There may still be some lessons that can be learned from studying the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. But, the lessons must be tempered with the knowledge that exists in the current time period.

Man and his technology has evolved considerably since Biblical times. The Bible has not evolved accordingly. It is therefore the province of man to interpret the whole Bible and attempt to allow its relevant parts to fit into the lifestyles of the current era.

As long as they do not infringe on the rights of others, men are free to follow the teachings of the Bible for themselves. Your rights and beliefs end where mine begin.

  The Bible is a “crutch” which is necessary for some but not for all. It is a book written by men with the purpose of helping to guide other men through some of the pitfalls that life has to offer. It is also meant to give hope and purpose to those who may have no other way of finding same.

Just as with other fictional works, it is not meant to be taken literally but parabolically. Parts of its historical accounts may be factual while other parts are symbolic. And, yet other parts are simply devices wherein to protect the health and well-being of people of that era.

It takes many religions to give guidance to those who are in need of direction. Some use the Bible as their basis while others use other Books. They all serve a needed purpose. They all benefit the society of man.

Just because the Bible (or some other Book) is right for you does not mean or make it right for everyone else. The human race is a diverse species. It has many different cultures and Beliefs. Grant to each their right to choose that which fits them.

  From my chosen path I stray, Yet my God any’er turns away; For I have learned – and understand, That where God is – is where I am!

The bible says that there is a God, there is a heaven, and a hell. It gives instructions on how God wants us to live. It gives an invitation to anyone that chooses to follow the instructions.

As for me and my house, we choose to serve the Lord, according to his instructions.

We have no need to search farther.

Many of the attributes of God have been revealed to man over the ages.

Many things are yet to be understood.

Some things we may not understand until we stand in his presence.

We can wrestle with God and with his promises.

Or, we can submit to the light that we have been shown, and start receiving his promises.

We have everything to gain, and nothing to loose, except our stubborn will.

God desires obedience.

Reverence.

Holiness.

Perserverance.

Determination.

Faith.

Submission.

Under the umbrella of God, is protection, provision, direction, peace of mind, contentment, and hope.

His way is right, and true and just.

He has our best interest at heart.

He knows the end from the begining.

He has a plan for our lives.

We have to seek him to find his will for us individually.

We can fight him, or we can come humbly to him.

The first way, we wear ourselves out, and it is not productive.

The second way brings his promises.

I am not saying God is cruel, I am saying God is just. God created this universe He has the right to make the rules. Do you have children, do you let them just do as they please or do you exercise disapline when they get out of line. If you exercise disapline does that make you vain or cruel or does it make you loving enough to be stern when you need to be. We are all God’s creation, but not everyone is God’s child, there is a difference. God has given us the opprotunity to accept Him or reject Him, that’s your choice. This dosen’t make Him vain or cruel. Your problem jimahl is you think you have all the answers and you don’t. You choose not to believe, I personally don’t have a problem with that. You think everyone who believes in God is stupid, ignorant inferior and insecure. You can believe what you want. I don’t understand why you want to get into debates about someone you don’t believe in. I have never tried to convince you to believe what I believe, but you seem to always want to attack what I believe, maybe your the one who is insecure. You don’t have to respond to this, but I know you probably will because you like to be argumentive.

Being saved in a religious context means nothing to me. But the the question was posed to believers. Why does your god require us to believe in him in order to be saved? It is a very simple question.

The existence of earth is not proof of anything other than it exists. Please do not give me supposition. That is not proof. My house exists. Does that mean he created it? No some builders created it, and I can prove that. There is real concrete evidence.

There is no such think in religion. That is why it is called faith.

Now can someone who believe in god please tell me why he insists that we believe in him?

…which god? I’m guessing you mean Allah, Jehovah, or Yaweh, right?

Taoism (for example) is a philosophy / religion born in China. There is nothing but the way, the way is everything, etc. The Tao Te Ching is one of the oldest religious or quasi religious texts out there…and you don’t have to believe in it’s teachings to go to a special place in the afterlife.

in my opinion, the whole ‘must believe to attend the special place’ belief was concocted to force people to accept their overseers, masters, rulers, etc, as at the time when these beliefs were invented by people, most of the population of the planet was subsistance farmers…which meant little to no education, superstition, etc.

What better way to encourage the peasantry to stay in their place than to invent a system of moral & religious dogma that they must follow which stipulates they should stay in their place in life & accept their fate, and that if they are good, they’ll be rewarded, even though on Earth, they’re doomed to a life of drudgery while their rules live richly?

…but, that’s just my take ;)

Sorry in advance, but I think this question merits a long and indepth post.

This question is actually not a new question. It is the foundational principle of the Pelagian heresy of the 4th century. The Most notable answers to Pelagius came from St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo. He was one of the most prolific early Church Fathers, so I cannot present all his arguments here. However they can be found in his books, “Confessions of St. Augustine”, “City of God” and his Soliloquies.

The Protestant Reformation included a radical shift towards St. Augustine’s school of thought, even more so than had already been in the Church since the 4th century. Many of the Protestant reformers could be described as “Pelagius turned on his head.” This radical shift in the 16th century begat the opposite error of Pelagainism. Unfortunately for us, many “main-stream” Christians fall into errors of Reformation because of they follow the erroneous teachings of their “fathers.” Consequently, many modern people recognize the errors of the Reformation, without recognizing the errors that those errors, equally erroneous, were meant to correct. Thus, “Error, begets opposite error.”

I will try to answer a little bit of the question at hand, but I must ask for clarification. What exactly do you mean when you say “vain.” This word has had several meanings and conotations over the years, so I need to know your understanding in order to answer properly.

Also, someone said that it makes no senes to quote the New Testament when speaking with non-believers. I will say that because this question deals with the God that we assert inspired both Testaments, it makes no sense not to quote it. With these qualification, here goes…

When God revealed his name in the Scriptures, he called himself “I Am Who Am.” Later on, when Christ revealed himself to mankind, he is reported to have said, “I Am the Way, and the Truth…” Based on these statements, we confess that God is Truth itself, in its most basic Aristotelian or Thomistic definition (Verum est ens: Truth is being/existence/that which is).

We believe that Chirst came to earth as the perfect revelation of God the Father to humanity. Again, God revealed himself in his name, because the name “Jesus” (Yeshua) meant “God Saves” in the Hebrew language. He came to us for 4 reasons: to save us from our sins, to show us the Father’s love, to be our model of holiness, and to make us “partakers of the divine nature.” He took on human flesh “for us men and for our salvation.”

That is what prompted him to say “For God so loved the world that he gave he only Son so that whoever believes in him might not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever belives in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God [Jesus = God saves]. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come towards the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God” (John 3:16-21)

Now on its face, I can see how some people might say that that statement is over generalizing, broad, criptic, and can be interpretted in any number of ways. If that statement were all there is, I would agree with you. However, all Scripture must be read as a totality, and in context. Let us examine what that same author says else where.

“Jesus anwered [Pontius Pilate], “You say that I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice” (Jn. 18:37).

“If we say, ‘We are without sin,’ we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing. If we say, ‘We have not sinned,’ we make in a liar and his word is not in us. My children, I am writing this to you so that you may not commit sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one. He is expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world. The way we may be sure that we know him is to keep his commandments. Whoever says, ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. This is the way we may know that we are in union with him. Whoever abides in him ought to live just as he lived. (1 Jn 1:8-2:6)

In keeping with the notion that all scipture must be read as a totality, let us also consider the following several passages:

Matthew Chapter 25 (which I will not quote at legnth) descibes the judgment of nations, in which the Lord gathers all nations before him and judges all people according to their conduct. The criteria for salvation is feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, etc. Those who performed these works for any person he says “did it for me.”

In the Second Vatican Council Document “Lumen Gentium,” the Church applies this passage to all those who do not have knowledge of the of Jesus Christ “through no fault of their own.” If they would have accepted had they known, they will not be held culpable for something that is not their fault.

Or, as St. Paul puts it: “When the Gentiles who do not have the law by nature observe the prescriptions of the law, they are a law for themselves, ene though they do not have the law. They show that the demands of the law are written in their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even defend them on that day when, according to my gospel, God will judge peoples hidden works through Christ Jesus” (Romans 2:14-16)

Here is the major error that main-stream Christians often make in saying what a person has to do: they say that they have to “accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior,” which is correct to a point. However, too many take that statment to the extreme you have to know him in that name and under no other, and anything outside that is an automatic one-way ticket to hell.

They fail to recognize and make provisions for those who, through no fault of their own do not know Christ Jesus. Strictly speaking, they fail to recognize (or mis-interperet as John Calvin did in the 16th century) that the only way a person can know Christ is through the Holy Spirit. God does not reveal himself at all times to all peoples, but deals with the inner-most thoughts of man. Only God is qualified to judge the status of anyones immortal soul, whether they say they have been “saved” or not. Thus he said: “Judge not lest ye be judged.”

On the other side of the coin, those who oppose mainstream Christians assert that they judge people and actions, which they are not allowed to do, which is also true to a point. It is true that we are not allowed to judge people. It’s also true that we sometimes do judge people (which we are not allowed to do. Lord have mercy on us!)

However, we can assert what we have learned from Christ and his Church, that certain actions are wrong, and that (in the objective order) they are capable of condemning a person if left unrepented. This is not something that we made up, but something that has been present since the beginning (see Mt. 5-7; Lk 6:20-45; 16:19-31). Even if we judge certain actions to be evil or disordered, we are still not qualified to judge the state of another person’s soul who has committed that action. That particular judgement is left to God alone. However, there are specific guidlines in place for the discernment of the state of one’s own soul (I will not expand on that here but I explained in depth in the thread “do prostitutes go to hell”).

So after all that, is God vain and cruel? I am still waiting for a deeper explanation of the word “vain as intended in the question. As far as cruelty goes, I don’t think that he is. I myself was shocked at the coherence and lucidity of the Church’s teachings on moral theology.

Sorry again for taking up so much space.

* “I’m sure that your own parents desires your love and respect too, so why is it so hard to understand where God is coming from? God is our Father, He loves us and wants us to love Him too.”

But my parents are not self sufficient beings. Their desires stem from animal instincts.

The very word ‘want’ necessarily implies that something is missing - a hole of some kind. If God is self sufficient, then he can not want, need, or even desire. To say that god wants us to believe in him, is to say that god is not self sufficient. It’s incoherent to claim that god is self sufficient but also has wants/needs/or desires.

I dont think god made it so that if you make a little mistake that you should be in the same place as HITLER

Welll uhh how can ya be saved if you dont believe in God??? I mean you pray to who to get saved? God. God loves you no matter what. He is not vain..HE IS GOD!! Who cares about your Good morals? You were put on this earth to follow God. Jesus gave his life for you..you should give your life to him in return. What do you mean..”punish” you get saved and go to heaven. You,dont believe in him..you oviously go to hell. Anddd heres some proof..everything he created. millions of galaxies,this earth and everything on it..including other planets and our incredible moon and sun didnt just come here. Andd come on..humens comin from dumb apes?? creation is just common sense.

well im sorry …but uhh you’re not getting it hes not cruel or vain. if you dont understand after everything peoples told you..than you need get it through your skull.

So I guess justsearhing is saying yes, god is vain and cruel. He is so insecure that he demands people to adore and worship him, and so cruel that if you don’t he will banish you to hell for eternity.

That’s some “loving” god you have there!

* “if you dont understand after everything peoples told you..than you need get it through your skull.”

statements like that work both ways, and aren’t very productive.

I agree with thats funny,god is not vaingod went through ,more suffering than any of us could stand ,the only thing he asks of us is to love and serve him ,considering he died for us,it is a very simple task we should accomplish,just loving him and serving him ;) thats all he wants

womanofvirtue, I was under the impression your god is described as omnipotent. If so, then the bifurcation of heaven/hell is not his only option. Afterall, earth is neither heaven nor hell, and here we are.

Obviously I don’t believe, and I am living my life not believing, but still living a very good, moral life, do much charitable work, don’t steal, cheat or lie. When I die, I find out I am wrong, and there is a god. According to most christian teachings, if I did not believe in god and christ while alive, I cannot be let into heaven (or be saved).

Is that clearer?

Now, why does god require people to belive in him in order to be saved? Shouldn’t the quality of their character be all that matters? If not, then I submit god is not only vain, he is cruel.

lol jimahl I am trying to answer your question WHY DOES GOD REQUIRE US TO BELIEVE IN HIM TO BE SAVED but please clarify to me what you mean by “saved”. if you dont believe in Him, then what is it that you think you need to be saved from? If there is no God, then there is no hell coming to you and therefore you dont even need saving right? help me understand what you’re asking.

Hi, I just wanted to say I dont think God would want a bunch of people who don’t love Him, dont respect Him, who curse Him, and who dont even know Him to spend all eternity in heaven with Him. Would you want to spend even an hour with someone who talked about you like a dog and said who’s jimahl he’s a nobody. Come on, we gotta be fair here and think about this. God doesnt want to send anybody to hell, but thats the only other option. Heaven or hell. There’s no in between. Is it hard to understand that God wants people who love Him to come to His home with Him and be with Him forever?

First off, I don’t love or hate him. I don’t respsect of disrespect him. I just don’t believe he exists. So according to you, no matter how good a life I lead, or how many charitable acts I do, I won’t be saved because I didn’t believe in him when he I was alive. If he really wants us to believe in him, why doesn’t he give us some actual proof of his existence?

As I said, he is either vain, or incredibly cruel.

I think that religious dogma was indeed invented by men to put fear in people. “dogma” meaning rules to put it simply. God, vain?? no, the men who invented the god they want everyone to believe in are vain.

if god existed and his teachings enforced, everyone would still be going to hell, lol. With an exeption of 5% at most, most priests would go to hell too, sick basterds. see you there buddy, along with everyone else I know

Since he is an atheist and doesn’t believe in hell, I wouldn’t get too worked up over it.

I also think he was refering to pedophile priests.

Well, jimahl, if you dont hate or disrespect Him then I obviously was not talking about you then. You dont believe He exists so there’s no way you can believe that His home (heaven) exists right? So where is it that you think you should go?? What does being “saved” mean to you? And yes, you’re right, no matter what good you do, it doesnt matter. .that’s not what’s required of you. Believing and accepting is what you’re required to do. And He does give proof of His existence: the earth, for one. and also what He does in our lives.

Toadaly, when I said there’s only heaven or hell, I meant after it’s all said and done. Of course, now there’s heaven, hell, and earth. But earth will pass away, life on earth is in no way permanent. And heaven and hell is not HIS only option, but it’s OUR only option. We either choose to love Him or reject Him. It’s simple as that. You choose where you go, He’s given us all free will.

justseraching, it’s generally counter productive to quote the NT to nonChristians. In general, we do not consider that authoritative by any means. I consider my own assessment of morality MORE authoritative than the Bible, not less.

It amazes me how no one is answering the question…

WHY DOES GOD REQUIRE US TO BELIEVE IN HIM TO BE SAVED?

I know you believe he requires it, but does anyone know why?

So you think it is just to condemn a man to hell because he just couldn’t believe in something so fantastic as a diety that created and oversees the world. without even one iota of evidence of his existence. Even though this man was a much better man than some so-called religious types who do believe, and in end are saved. If you think that is just, please don’t report to jury duty the next time you are called.

god has never given me the opportunity to accept him. he has never revealed himself to me. If it is a choice, it is the same choice as me believing in santa. He also has never revealed himself to me. Why is that any different?

I don’t think people who believe are stupid or inferior. I think people who think that there is a god that would judge people on the basis of whether they believe rather than their character are incredibly ignorant. I know many believers, my wife and kids included, who don’t think that. Who don’t think I am going to hell because I dont believe. They know the type of person I am, and they believe that god knows it too, and won’t hold my skepticism against me in the end. What I find truly ignorant and disturbing is the way people like you think that the only way to salvation is your way.

I still say your god is either vain, incredibly cruel, or both.

Jesus said unless a man be born again he can’t see the kingdom of God. Jn. 3:3 So if you think your morals are good enough, think again. Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done He save us. Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast. Isiah 64:6 All our works of righteousness are as a filthy rag.

If we could save ourselves then why did Jesus have to die.

The idea that an all powerful self sufficient being would desire anything at all is an absurdity.

There are two different gods in the Bible. The god of the Old Testament is jingoistic national tyrant king of Israel, living in the sky with superpowers. The god of the New Testament is the loving father god. It’s impossible to reconcile these, so you end up with a god with split personalities.

Piker187 you must be drinking a lot. If you want to be in hell fine. You don’t get to damn anyone else to hell though. I hate to wake you up and make you smell the coffee. Tell us why priests are sick “basterds” as you spelled it? Getting saved is some religions’ way of making you believe you need to follow their church so that you don’t go to hell.
God gives us free will to everything. I don’t think He damns us to hell for not believing in Him.

O my goshhh can we make it ANY clearer…listen to the name..GOD. if you dont want to follow or care for him..then why should he reward you?

Thanks guys, I agree with all of you.

I was hoping to get a beleiver to take this one on. I don’t think they will because to admit that good moral non-believing people will still be saved, flies in the face of there desire to get everyone to believe, and means that it really doesn’t matter if one believes. If they admit that it is true that one must believe in order to get saved, it shows their god to be a self-serving meglomaniac.

jimahl asked “Now can someone who believe in god please tell me why he insists that we believe in him?”

Yes jimahl, I can. Please read below.

The Lord God is our Father, and as such He desires that we believe and do as He has asked, quite the same as your Dad or Mom. They too desire that you believe in them and for you to do as they say, especially when you were a child. Why? Because they love you so much.

God loves each one of us so much that He came from heaven to help us to know Him. He suffered separation from His Father, torture, and the death of the cross, for you and for me.

As a child your parents taught you things that would protect you, like for example; ‘don’t touch that stove it’s hot!’ or, ‘put your helmet on before you ride your bike’. Why did they desire to direct you in such a way? It’s because they love you and want to protect you…just like our Creator does.

toadly said: “ The idea that an all powerful self sufficient being would desire anything at all is an absurdity. “

I’m sure that your own parents desires your love and respect too, so why is it so hard to understand where God is coming from? God is our Father, He loves us and wants us to love Him too.

the dude: “ the whole ‘must believe to attend the special place’ belief was concocted to force people to accept their overseers, masters, rulers, etc”

In Christianity nobody was ‘forced’ to worship God, back then or now. Christians follow God because we believe earnestly that He is our Creator and we love Him, because He first loved us.

jimahl, we are all God’s children; every last being who has ever been born on earth belong to Him. Just like all your children belong to you.

If one of your kids grows away from you, not wanting to have anything to do with you, it would hurt, but you’d have to allow him/her to find their own way, just like God does. God will never force anyone to worship Him. He will ask His other children to go after and encourage the rebellious sibling to return to his Father’s care and protection, just as you may do with your own.

jimahl, God is not “vain”. He is pure love. God wants us all to be saved so they’ll be able to live thru out all eternity in heavenly bliss. He gave us all freedom of choice as to whom we will follow. Either Satan, the evil one who has caused sickness, murder, rape…or the purity of the righteous One, who bestows joy, peace, goodness… It is up to all of us whom we shall choose.

God wrote His laws in our hearts, so those who have never heard Jesus Christ’s name or the Bible, will if they choose to do what is right, what is good will be in heaven, but those who choose to do evil will be destroyed in hell fire. God is pure goodness and sin cannot exist in His light; it will be destroyed completely.

jimahl, God is not “afraid” of anything. He is the Creator. He made everything and everyone. There is no reason for Him to be afraid of anything. God protects His children from evil if they’ll just accept Him and follow Him.

Probation is closing, we are in the very last days right before His second coming. If you are going to choose God you’d better do it quickly or be lost.

jimahl said: “to admit that good moral non-believing people will still be saved, flies in the face of there desire to get everyone to believe, and means that it really doesn’t matter if one believes”

If a person makes no choice at all, by default hell is their destination. You have to make a conscious decision to love and follow God.

If just being a good person or believing in God would get you into heaven, then Satan and all the evil angels would be there too because Satan knows God is real. We must keep God’s laws as well.

People who have made a choice to not accept the salvation of God will not be in heaven, no matter who or what their station in life is. All who accept the gift of salvation, repent and give their hearts to God will be saved.

womanofvirtue said: “ I dont think God would want a bunch of people who don’t love Him, dont respect Him, who curse Him, and who dont even know Him to spend all eternity in heaven with Him. Would you want to spend even an hour with someone who talked about you like a dog and said who’s jimahl he’s a nobody. “

womanof, I really enjoyed reading your comment here. It is very true; a breath of fresh air. Thank you for your words.

toadly: “I was under the impression your god is described as omnipotent. If so, then the bifurcation of heaven/hell is not his only option. Afterall, earth is neither heaven nor hell, and here we are.”

Earth is a kind of school where we must study and follow the Teacher’s rules or we fail. The reason why earth is a school is because Satan chose not to follow God and was thrown out of heaven, invading our world, tempting Adam and Eve… Since evil entered the human race, we now much have to choose whom we shall serve.

bocavicki said: “I think that religious dogma was indeed invented by men to put fear in people. “

It was Satan who is constantly seeking to substitute false theories, fables, and other gospels because he knows that the truth, received in the love of it, sanctifies the soul of the receiver.

The vague and fanciful interpretations of Scripture, and the many conflicting theories concerning religious faith, that are found in the Christian world are the work of our great adversary to confuse minds so that they shall not discern the truth.

And the discord and division which exists among the churches of Christendom are in a great measure due to the prevailing custom of twisting the Scriptures to support a favorite theory. Instead of carefully studying God’s word with humility of heart to obtain a knowledge of His will, many seek only to discover something odd or original.

In order to sustain erroneous doctrines or unchristian practices, some will seize upon passages of Scripture separated from the context, perhaps quoting half of a single verse as proving their point, when the remaining portion would show the meaning to be quite the opposite.

With the cunning of the serpent they entrench themselves behind disconnected utterances construed to suit their carnal desires. Thus do many willfully pervert the word of God.

Whenever the study of Scriptures is entered upon without a prayerful, humble, teachable spirit, the plainest and simplest as well as the most difficult passages will be twisted from their true meaning…

The Word of God is plain to all who study it with a prayerful heart. Every truly honest soul will come to the light of truth. “Light is sown for the righteous. Psalm 97:11. And no church can advance in holiness unless its members are earnestly seeking for truth as for hid treasure.