The Bible was written so that even a child could understand. Why is it Adults have so much trouble with it?

Question

Mat 18:1 ¶ At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?


Mat 18:2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,


Mat 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.


Mat 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.


Mat 18:5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.


Mat 18:6 ¶ But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and [that] he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Answer 1

children accept it with child like faith- we try to rationalize as adults- also I think as we get older we are set in our ways, it is harder to hear and to see its truth- the Holy Spirit reveals the truth of God's word to our hearts if we let Him.

Answer 2

The children's Bible is written with simpler words and sentences, and the regular Bible is written in a kind of old fashioned style which is odd compared to modern English, and can be difficult at times to understand what it's trying to get through. If you're talking about the meaning of the Bible.. adults struggle with that because they have a stronger ability to think critically than children do, and it's hard to follow if you think about what it's saying realistically. Children get it because they don't think critically as adults do, and most of them are introduced to the Bible and taught all this stuff at such a young age, that it sticks with them throughout their life or until they stop and question their beliefs later on. Basically, children will believe most things you tell them, while adults will ask questions.

Answer 3

There are so many interpretations of the bible that neither a child or adult can understand that which they won't open their mind too! People mold and shape messages from the bible to fit into what they want or how they want to live. Example: It states in the bible that an ox should never be yoked with a sow....what is this to mean? Many say that it is that a man should never lay with another man or woman should lay with another woman, but others would differ in saying that it means a christian should never lay or marry a non christian. Never in the bible does it state that a man should not lay with another man or vice versa.....we as a society have taken the holy word and molded it to mean those things. A child can only understand that which it is taught.....unless they are able at a young age to decipher ancient scribe we are all left to learn from word of mouth. I wish that society was more open minded but that would be asking a lot from people who most of the time don't like to stray from their comfort zone.

Answer 4

You classify the Bible incorrectly my friend. Yes children can understand watered down Bible stories but the Bible is far more complex than that. Adults have trouble with it because they undertake reading an actual bible and not a paraphrased children's Bible. They also read to understand more than the core doctrinal comments but they also read it to see deeper meanings and how scripture interprets scripture. Reading the Bible is no easy task, if you think it is then you are either not seriously studying it or you are a theological genius such has never been seen.

Answer 5

I respectfully disagree - I did my advance degree work in the Old Testament, and the Bible is a extraordinarily complex document, from the hands of many different authors, written for several different goals and aimed at very different audiences over a time span of more than a thousand years.

Part of the problem in understanding it is starting with the concept that "The Bible" is a single document, with a single purpose, aimed at a single audience. Some of the books are prayers and songs, some are parables and allegory, some are historical or quasi-historical. If you treat a parable as history, you will find yourself in difficulty.

If you read and accept the Bible as a child - you have missed the whole point of this extraordinary work.

Answer 6

Where is it written that the Bible was written so that a child could understand? The Bible doesn't even say that. On the contrary, the Bible is one of the most complex writings ever written. Most children can't even comprehend the language, let alone understand it. Most churches don't even teach the Bible to children. They teach Bible stories and random verses that are easy to understand. You don't see Christian children reading and attempting to interpret the book of Isaiah or Revelations, books that even seasoned pastors struggled with. You are making a really bad argument here. The fact is that if the Bible was so easy to understand, we wouldn't need Sunday school or pastors at our churches.

Answer 7

I see....So you read ancient Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew? How about Latin? Not alot of adults can make head nor hair of that, so It's understandable that people have a lot of problems with the modern day "translations" we have today.

Aside from that, there are so many contradictions in the Bible it's difficult to know what to take literal and what to take as allegory. Is slavery good or bad? Polygamy? Murder? There are bible verses to support any postion on any of the above topics. Nothing is clear, absolutely, thus many people seek the Divine in other ways than the Bible.

Answer 8

I have yet to meet a child that even reads the Bible. Come to think of it, there are very few adults who read it.... That "The Bible was written so even a child could understand" is a catch phrase... sales jargon... just another way for a person to try to get another to see it their way. I could say the same thing about any other writings... it doesn't mean the writing is understandable... You actually have to read it first. No... what they mean is that the way they have presented it to their children, they have found their child understands... what they say. That doesn't mean that kid read the Bible and understands everything in it. lol

Answer 9

Because there are thousands of years in between then and now. Also, adults read too far into things, if the Bible is truly meant for a child, then it is not extremely complex and adults are making big deals out of nothing.

Answer 10

As adults we have let too much sin in to rule our lives. (I'm not saying this about all adults though) That is why the bible tells us to come to Christ as little children. They have no ambition or desire twist and turn the word of God to fit their needs. I know as a young christian I tried the best I could to justify some of my behaviors by twisting the word of God then I found a mentor to help me get on the right path and let God change me.

Answer 11

The bible was hardly written for children. All they understand are the interesting stories and that 'God loves me' Kids take things at face value. Theres a lot more meaning and hidden meaning in there than a kid could ever grasp, which is why most people, myself included, realise it's a fantasy and fairy tale as we get older.