THE BIBLE IS SCARY... AND I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT ANYMORE!

Recently we were blessed with an intense three week study on the book of Revelation. Three wise gentlemen who have studied the words of Christ as revealed to John for the largest component of their lives taught, shared and answered questions. 

After listening to three excellent explanations about the book, it's complexity and exciting stories, the listeners were confronted with a couple of clear thoughts. 

[1] Christ is the LORD and He is in charge, right to the very end of the age. 
[2] The book of revelation has a depth that is not easily plumbed on a glance or a mere scan. It is instead a book that must be unpacked with thoughtful and careful study and discussion. 
[3] The words of the book without thoughtful and careful discussion can be TOTALLY FRIGHTENING! 

It is with this last thought that I reflect on today. Here is the question... 

If a subject material is frightening to the listener because they do not yet have the understanding with which to decipher the truth through the complexity, should there be an obligation on the teacher not to teach in the hope that they would not offend or frighten the listener? 

Is the reaction of the listener the responsibility of the teacher, or spoken plainly, if the material is scary should the material not be spoken of at all?

This problem surfaced this week as a person who attended Sunday night's discussion on the last three chapters of revelation was so scared that they were going to be judged by God that they left the evening service feeling disconnected from the faith family and from the faith that they thought they knew. 

The faith that they thought they knew was a faith that God had promised to save their family if they only lived lives hard and pure enough to be accepted but God. A faith of works, hoping that the Lord would accept their efforts and therefore there family would in turn also be accepted. 

Now we know that the hell fire and brimstone messages of the previous century probably are not as readily accepted by the do not offend at any cost crowd of the North America today, but the message Sunday night was miles from the hell fire messages of yesteryear. It was many things but what I believe scared this sister was the message on the BEMA seat judgment or the judgment of the saints. 

That is the teaching that the saints of God upon welcome to heaven will be judged according to the opportunities achieved and lost.  

You know how it goes...a robe of white... a crown of gold... a harp... a home... a mansion fair.  

So what do you think? Should the crowds sensitivities determine the content of the messages from the pulpit or should if determine only the delivery. 

I would love to hear from you...
...is there a place for the bible to be scary?