John Knox, in his first of several meetings with Mary, Queen of Scots, had this question put to him by her: “You [Protestants] interpret the Scriptures in one way, they [Roman Catholics] in another. Whom shall I believe? Who shall be the judge?”
Knox answered for all Bible lovers, and for us today:
You shall believe God, who speaks plainly in His Word. Further than the Word teaches you shall not believe the one or the other. The Word of God is plain in itself. If there is any obscurity anywhere, the Holy Spirit, who is never contrary to Himself, explains it more clearly in other places. No one can remain in doubt, save those who remain obstinately ignorant.
The Scriptures are clear enough that the ordinary Christian, without the aid of an ecclesiastical (or scholarly) magisterium, can understand their main thrust. This is not to say that there are not difficult texts in Scripture or difficult doctrines. But the greater part and the main message is simple and clear, and the difficult texts are explained more clearly elsewhere in Scripture. John says:
And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but, as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. (1 John 2:27)
From: The Banner of Truth magazine, Issue 542 (November, 2008), p. 26.
