Yes, the Bible is meant for the common person, as God gave His Word so that anyone, regardless of education, can understand it.
According to Les Feldick, God's Word is written so that anybody can understand it, and He wants every believer to study and comprehend the Scriptures. The example of the Reformer's prayer for every plow boy in England to have a Bible shows that the Bible is not reserved for the educated elite but for all people in every status of society.
2 Timothy 2:15 — This verse encourages believers to study the Word, showing that it is meant for every believer, not just scholars.
The Bible teaches that believers are to study the Word of God. In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul writes, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." This instruction is given to Timothy, a young pastor, but the principle applies to all believers who desire to grow in their understanding of God's Word. The Bible is given to all, not just the intellectual or the clergy.
Les Feldick teaches that the Bible is not meant for the highly educated or intellectual alone, but for everyone in every status of society. He often references the Reformer (likely Tyndale) who wished that every plow boy in England could have a copy of the Scriptures, indicating that even the least educated could understand them. Les emphasizes that God wants every believer to study the Word and that it should be taught on a level that even a six-year-old can understand. He believes that the Dark Ages occurred because the church locked up the Word in monasteries, depriving the common man of access, and that the Reformers sought to change that. Les aims to bring the Bible down to a simple, understandable level so that ordinary people can grasp its truths, just as he does in his home-style Bible classes.
Les Feldick uses the example of the Reformer's prayer that every plow boy in England could have a copy of the Bible to illustrate that the Scriptures were meant for even the least educated members of society. Plow boys had little or no education, yet the Reformer wanted them to have and understand the Word. Les reiterates this point multiple times to emphasize that God's Word is accessible to everyone, regardless of their station in life.
Les explains that the Dark Ages were called so because the Word of God was locked up in monasteries, and the common man had no access to it. The church had become powerful and felt that only monks and the educated could discern the Word, but Les asserts that this is not what God intends. God wants every believer to become a student of the Bible.
Les emphasizes the need to teach the Bible so simply that even a six-year-old can understand it. He recounts explaining the gospel to a man in such simple language that the man said he had never heard it before. Les believes that the Word of God is simple and that it should not be presented with high-sounding, intellectual phrases that people cannot understand.
Les clearly teaches that the Bible is for everyone, not just the highly educated or the clergy. He says that the Word of God is written so that anybody can understand it, and that it is meant for people in every status of society. He uses the plow boy example to stress that even the least educated can comprehend the Scriptures.
Why Israel Rejected Their Messiah — Acts 7 & Joseph Explained
Hello and welcome to Through the Bible with Les Feldick. An Oklahoma rancher and farmer, Les Feldick has been teaching homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. Les Feldick's unique style of Bible teaching has made the books of the Bible come to life. When Les is teaching, it's so interesting that people say time just seems to fly by. And now, here is Les Feldick.
Reformer's Prayer for Plow Boys
Les tells the story of a Reformer who, while being burned at the stake, wanted every plow boy in England to have a copy of the Word, showing that the Bible is for even the least educated.
Ordinary Believers Reading the Bible
Les says God left us this book so that ordinary believers can read and study it, and he repeats the plow boy desire to show the Bible is for all.
Dark Ages and Common Man
Les explains that the Dark Ages occurred because the Word was locked in monasteries, and the Reformers wanted to change that so everyone could have access.
No One Too Uneducated
Les emphasizes that no one is too uneducated to have the Word of God, and that every believer is supposed to study and understand the Scriptures.
Simplicity of the Gospel
Les explains that the Word of God is simple and that he aims to teach so simply that even a six-year-old can understand, showing the Bible's accessibility.
No Theological Education Needed
Les states that one does not need a high level of education or theological training to comprehend the Scriptures, and that God wants everyone to become students.
Plow Boys Had No Education
Les reiterates that plow boys had little education, yet it was desired that they have the Scriptures, underscoring that the Bible is for everyone.
2 Timothy 2:15: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Paul's instruction to Timothy encourages all believers to study the Word, showing that God expects ordinary people to engage with Scripture.
No, according to Les Feldick, you don't have to be highly educated or have a great theological education to comprehend the Scriptures. God wants every believer to study and understand His Word, regardless of their educational background.
A Reformer, as he was being burned at the stake, said that he wanted every plow boy in England to have a copy of the Scriptures. This was because plow boys were among the least educated, and if they could understand the Bible, then anyone could.
Les Feldick explains that the Dark Ages occurred because the Word of God was locked up in monasteries, and the common man had no access to it. The church felt only monks and the educated could discern the Word, but that's not what God intended.
Watch the Teaching: Why Israel Rejected Their Messiah — Acts 7 & Joseph Explained