I don't understand why Ralph is being opposed. He's completely right. It says that the 2nd type soil believes with joy, but falls away from the faith because of affliction and persecution. Their faith is tested and it fails. It isn't a deep enduring faith, because these aren't deep, committed people; they do things for the occasion. As long as believing is easy and it doesn't cost them anything, they are happy to believe for whatever worldly benefit they can derive from it. But when they stand to lose the good favor of men who oppose the gospel. they become offended with Christ, are again ensnared by the world and its ways, and abandon the faith.
And these are the ones sown on the rocky ground, who whenever they hear the word immediately receive it with joy. And they have no root in themselves, but are for the occasion only. Then when affliction or persecution comes because of the word, immediately they are ensnared. Mark 4:16-17
And the ones upon the rock are the ones whenever they hear, with joy they receive the word; and these have no root, which for a time believe, and in time of testing they leave. Luke 8:13
And what was sown on the rocky ground—this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. But he has no root in himself, but is only for the occasion, and when affliction or persecution happens because of the word, immediately he is ensnared. Matthew 13:20-21