Russell Haffner
Have you ever wondered if it is truly possible to understand the Bible? The answer is, Yes! Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). God has given you an intelligent mind which is able to understand the Scriptures. He even expects all men to understand His word the same way (1 Corinthians 1:10). The apostle Paul assured the Christians in Ephesus that they could "understand" his knowledge in the gospel by reading the inspired words he had written (Ephesians 3:3-4).
The preacher Allen Webster once wrote,
God wants us to desire (Matthew 5:6; 1 Peter 2:2), dig into (John 5:39), divide (2 Timothy 2:15), discern and learn His Word (John 6:44-45). By so doing, freedom is gained (John 8:32), faith is attained (Romans 10:17), access to the Father is sustained (John 6:44-45), man is perfected (2 Timothy 3:17) and the world neglected (2 Peter 1:3; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17).
We should study the Bible because it gives:
- Light in a darkening world (Psalm 119:130)
- Understanding in a wondering world (Psalm 119:130)
- Knowledge in a confusing world (Proverbs 2:6)
- Approval in a rejecting world (2 Timothy 2:15)
- Stability in a floundering world (James 1:3-6)
God is all-powerful, and therefore He is able to inspire a book we can understand. He wants us to know His word because He is loving and gracious. The Bible makes it clear that we can know and understand the Scriptures (John 7:17; 2 Corinthians 1:13-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:1).
Therefore, we can study God's inspired word to learn what He would have us to know and do. But we must be willing to read and study the Scriptures diligently with an open and honest heart. There are some who never read the Bible for themselves. They just accept what others tell them the Bible teaches. Others read the Bible with preconceived ideas, so they are not reading with an open mind. Since they already have their minds made up they often take passages out of their context to support what they already believe. We must always read our Bibles with an open and honest heart seeking to learn for ourselves what God's word is teaching. When we do this it is possible to understand the Bible. To God be the glory!
While the WVBS Online Bible School is not accredited by any government agency, we are authorized under Texas State Law to grant degrees within the fields of theology, religion, ministry, biblical studies, etc. Thus, our courses and curriculum supply the required education needed for a degree in Biblical Studies.
The level of work required by the WVBS Online Bible School is equal to and even superior to many accredited religious universities and colleges. Any graduate of the school will be fully qualified to teach the Bible.
We have not sought secular accreditation or approval to do what God commands us to do in teaching and training souls to obey and serve Christ. We have no quarrel with schools that choose to be accredited by the government and outside agencies. However, our aim is to be a work for, and on behalf of God; thus, we are only in need of His approval. Therefore, we seek to be accredited by His word, which should please any who are involved in biblical education.