THE IRRATIONAL

 

“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.”
— Romans 1:18

Actor Jesse L. Martin plays behavioral scientist Alec Mercer in the TV show The Irrational.
In one classroom scene, Mercer tells his students they’ll hear a short audio clip four times. He projects the phrase “THAT IS EMBARRASSING” on the screen, and—unsurprisingly—nearly every student believes the sound matches the words.

Then, Mercer changes the displayed text while keeping the exact same audio. Suddenly, most students reinterpret what they’re hearing. His point: our brains don’t perceive reality objectively. We interpret information through bias and expectation. The data doesn’t change—our perception does.

You can watch the short clip >HERE<.

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The Same Problem with Scripture Reading

That same principle applies when people read the Bible.

Modern readers live in vastly different times, cultures, and languages from those of the biblical authors. There are linguistic, historical, and cultural gaps that make understanding Scripture a careful, Spirit-dependent task.

Even the best translations involve interpretive choices—because every translator must decide how to render words, idioms, and figures of speech. A purely literal, “word-for-word” version like Young’s Literal Translation can ignore idioms, metaphors, and contextual meaning.

Every language, ancient or modern, contains expressions that defy literal equivalence. For example:

• “Quitting cold turkey”

• “Ballpark figure”

• “Cat got your tongue?”

• “It’s all about to go down.”

• “Plead the fifth”

Imagine how nonsensical those sound outside their cultural context. The same principle applies when interpreting Scripture.

If it’s hard to communicate clearly with your own teenager, how much harder is it to interpret the writings of ancient prophets and apostles in different languages, cultures, and centuries?

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Reader-Response: The Modern Error

Many assume the challenge is too great and therefore make little effort to study Scripture carefully. This is known as the “reader-response” approach—the idea that the meaning of the Bible depends on what it means to me.

This mindset dominates much of modern Christianity. You hear it in phrases like:

“Well, to me, this verse means…”

Reader-response interpretation rips verses from context and bends them toward personal desires.

Take Jeremiah 29:11:

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you…”

Many twist this to mean that God promises wealth, health, and happiness. Prosperity preachers thrive on such distortions. But faithful interpretation asks:

• How does Jeremiah 29:11 fit within its chapter and book?

• What was Jeremiah’s message and mission?

• Who was he writing to—and why?

• What was happening in Israel at the time?

• How does Jeremiah connect to the larger redemptive story?

Those questions move us from emotional projection to God-centered interpretation.

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The Real Reason People Suppress Truth

As Professor Mercer observed, people rarely see reality; they see what they want to see. Scripture agrees:

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” — Proverbs 14:12

Evolutionary theory provides a tragic modern example. Despite the lack of any verified instance of life arising from non-life, the glaring gaps in the fossil record, irreducible complexity in biological systems, and the universe’s precise fine-tuning, many brilliant minds still reject God.

Why?
Because, as Romans 1 declares, mankind suppresses the truth in unrighteousness. The issue is not evidence but rebellion.

The irrational reason is moral, not intellectual: in our fallen state, we crave affirmation and equilibrium, not conviction and transformation.

But God, knowing our hearts lead us to death, sent His Son—the Lamb of God—to rescue us from our delusions.

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.” — John 3:19

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The Only Rational Way to Read Scripture

The only right way to approach the Bible is to seek the Divine Author’s intended meaning.

Scripture is not a mirror for our opinions—it’s the revelation of God’s will, character, and redemptive plan.
God does not call us based on intellect or academic skill, but solely by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9).

That’s why Jesus chose twelve ordinary men. Understanding Scripture is not about mastering Greek syntax or philosophical systems; it’s about humble submission to the Spirit of Truth who inspired it (2 Peter 1:20–21).

If we read God’s Word merely to:

• Win arguments,

• Find self-affirming promises, or

• Claim blessings and prosperity,

Then we are not hearing God at all.

But if we open Scripture in reverence, gratitude, and obedience—as an act of worship—our study becomes a means by which God conforms us to the image of Christ.

As Oswald Chambers wrote:

“When we choose deliberately to obey Him, then He will tax the remotest star and the last grain of sand to assist us.”

That is the most rational decision any human can make.

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Blessings and love,
Kevin M. Kelley
Pastor
BigIslandChristianChurch.com

📘 For a fantastic resource on Bible study and interpretation, see How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth.
🎥 For more on the scientific flaws of Evolutionary Theory, watch Genesis: Paradise Lost.