Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 2
Conrad Grebel’s line, “I believe the word of God without a complicated interpretation. And out of this I speak,” assumes a certain kind of confidence in Scripture’s clarity; where do you feel the strongest internal pushback against “taking it at face value,” and what does that resistance reveal about what you believe God is like?
Another way to ask: Where do you most resist taking the Bible “at face value”? What might that resistance show about what you think God is like?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Based on the speaker’s teaching, the strongest pushback often shows up where Jesus’ commands collide with normal life—especially in areas like enemies, violence, money, lawsuits, marriage, and oaths—because we instinctively label them “complicated.” That resistance may reveal we doubt either God’s clarity or God’s wisdom to command something that costly.
- Grebel’s posture is straightforward: “I believe the word of God without a complicated interpretation.”
- Dean jokes an Anabaptist study Bible note on “Love your enemies” would simply repeat: “love your enemies.”
- Dean says Scripture is “very simple… not necessarily easy,” linking simplicity to coming to Jesus “as a child.”
- He describes a common shield: calling obedience “complicated” can keep us “from taking the truth of it very seriously… ‘it’s too complicated. We’ll not worry about it.’”
- He lists difficult, concrete Sermon on the Mount issues (marriage permanence, lawsuits, economics, warfare, oaths) as areas where Jesus speaks plainly.