I came to faith while reading the Bible. After reading Matt 7:13-14 and pondering it, I was challenged to follow Jesus. I realized I’d been traveling through a wide gate and on a road that led to destruction.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
Sitting in the 24-foot trailer I rented while living in the Mammoth Mountain area of California, I chose the narrow gate and hard road that leads to life. I took this as a personal challenge that few go this way and find life. Since then, reading and studying the Scriptures have been an important foundation for my faith and my personal journey of faith.
Understanding why I believe what I believe
I am neither a fundamentalist nor fond of the saying, “The Bible says it, I believe it, that settles it.” I want to understand why I believe what I believe. Anything less tends towards biblical ignorance and spiritual dullness.
As with most things in life, I approach the truth of God’s Word with questions. This helps me process what I read so I can understand it. Early in life, this was my learning process and matched what I learned about Inductive Bible Study (IBS). I continue to be a proponent and teacher of IBS as a means of practical exegesis. When I don’t understand something in God’s written Word, I don’t just accept it or reject it. I set it aside till the Lord gives me the insight to understand it.
Questions were an important element of my spiritual search for truth as I wandered through the maze of the psychedelic sixties. After asking many questions about the Christian faith and theology, I was sent packing out of a church in Southern California because I dared to challenge a so-called Bible expert.
I sought the truth, but my challenging questions were seen as a disruption. This Bible expert would only answer my questions with a Bible quote, but without explanation. Using such knee-jerk reaction tactics doesn’t defend the faith, it erects a wall of ignorance. I found out later that this supposed Bible expert was asked to move on because he was a false teacher.
Knowledge isn’t understanding
Biblical information is abundant in America, but so is biblical ignorance. You might wonder, how can this happen when so many Bible study resources are available online, in print, via podcasts and video, and through various conferences? It’s simple. We’ve mistaken Bible knowledge or knowledge about the Bible for biblical understanding.
Force-feeding people with Bible knowledge doesn’t produce biblically sound, well-grounded believers. Believers become spiritually healthy when they understand what they are taught.
Believers need to learn how to discern the truth of God’s Word for themselves so they can grow into spiritual maturity. Otherwise, they are dependent on whatever they are told by those who teach them. They become like baby birds fed on what is partially eaten and regurgitated into their mouths by their teachers.
You can disagree with me about this, but you’d be mistaken. Not because I say so, but research points this out. Researchers George Gallup and Jim Castelli state the problem succinctly: “Americans revere the Bible–but, by and large, they don’t read it. And because they don’t read it, they have become a nation of biblical illiterates.” (see links at bottom)
Integrity—walking the talk
This is further confirmed by a continuing decrease in the church’s influence for good within our nation. A significant characteristic of the Jesus Movement in the late sixties and throughout the seventies was its moral and ethical counter-influence on American culture.
Counter-cultural influence doesn’t take place because of more knowledge or public protests, it requires something much deeper—integrity of character.
Integrity isn’t learned in a classroom or by hearing a message. It’s gained through life experience and the influence of others who have integrity. This is the impact of relational, intentional discipleship.
We need to “walk the talk” so those we teach and disciple can “walk the walk.” Our life needs to match what we teach and preach in the same way we see Jesus’ early disciples did.
When we teach and preach, we need to do it well. Delivering a deluge of biblical knowledge is not sufficient. Taking a truth from God’s Word and making a direct application won’t do either.
Genuine exposition explains why a biblical truth needs to be applied in daily life. We need to challenge people with biblical truth so they understand why and how they need to put it into practice in their lives.
Links to research—
- Kinnaman, David / Barna Group. “Two-Thirds of Christians Face Doubt.”https://www.barna.com/, Barna Group, 25 July 2017, barna.com/research/two-thirds-christians-face-doubt. Accessed 12 May 2025.
- Domain, and R. Albert Mohler Jr. “The Scandal of Biblical Illiteracy: It’s Our Problem – AlbertMohler.com.”com, 28 May 2020, albertmohler.com/2016/01/20/the-scandal-of-biblical-illiteracy-its-our-problem-4.
- Eckman, Jim. “The Scourge of Biblical Illiteracy.”https://issuesinperspective.com/, 6 Feb. 2016, com/2016/02/the-scourge-of-biblical-illiteracy. Accessed 12 May 2025.
Trip planted a church in the US and established two ministries overseas, along with many other ministry experiences. His ministry now focuses on discipleship and leadership development, while serving as a mentor to pastors and leaders with Poimen Ministries. Along with writing devotionals and simple Bible studies, he’s written books, Bible study guides, and training materials. Trip’s material can also be found at
@tkbeyond (on X)
@tripkimball (on https://substack.com/)
