One of the great cons in the anti-Christ movement is the 'secret teaching'. This is when there are people who stand up in the name of the Lord and claim that there is 'more than meets the eye' in what our faith teaches us. I remember numerological analyses of the Bible that revealed 'new' and 'profound' information. That was apparently debunked when others did numerological analyses of "Moby Dick" and found similar 'new' and 'profound' information. I say apparently, but I am relying on a memory and do not have the time or interest to chase down that rabbit hole.
HOWEVER, the use of the 'secret teaching' can be drawn from Jesus. Mark 4: 33-34, part of Sunday's preaching basis, is clear, 33With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; 34he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.
"Them" is the general populace who have come to listen. He needed to explain the parables to the disciples. If you have ever seen "Jesus Christ Superstar", the need for Jesus to explain things to his disciples assumes that they are, collectively, rather dim as lights for Christ. I do not accept that. The key bit is Jesus explained 'in private'.
When we read the parables today, about the harvest and the mustard seed growing into the greatest of shrubs, I think we can get at the meaning Jesus intended. What Jesus was doing has planet changing implications. For us, that is our faith-dream come true.
But consider where Jesus was teaching and preaching. It was an occupied nation that has already seen rebellion and insurrection against its overlords, the Romans. Within a generation, it is going to be the spot of one of the worst internal rebellions ever in Imperial history. And Jesus is talking about something that will take over the world. Something that the Romans are very sensitive to as imperial, conquering overlords.
It is secret knowledge to protect those who are hearing it. It is secret knowledge that becomes rather obvious to people 'in the know', as the disciples become and, as I hope, we are.
Where 'secret knowledge' becomes dangerous is when it adds to the voice of Scripture. What Jesus 'really meant' is to be revealed when a certain level of trust or inculcation or support is achieved. "I know something you don't know" is a dangerous invitation to a religious experience.
The truth of Scripture is plain spoken. The love of Jesus is obvious, even in the 'secrets' of the parables. That is the measure by which we should interpret the words of anyone, even this pastor, who claim to speak in Jesus' name. Is it a parable or is it a delusion?
Peace,
Pastor Peter
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