| I doubt that anyone will disagree with me when I | | | | the Testaments? |
| state that our society today in America is biblically | | | | Unfamiliar with the content of the Bible. More is |
| illiterate. Specifically, I would define "biblically | | | | known about content, undoubtedly, than in society |
| illiterate" as the following: | | | | at large, but ask yourself: How many Christians |
| * Unfamiliar with the structure of the Bible. Most | | | | can quote or locate verses that they need |
| people could not explain why the Bible is split | | | | without hesitation? Or paraphrase passages or |
| between Old and New Testaments. They cannot | | | | verses of Scripture - even well known ones such |
| name the books of the Bible. That the books are | | | | as the Beatitudes or I Corinthians 13? If asked |
| grouped into certain categories is unknown to | | | | what would define the Christian walk, could they |
| them. And, sadly, many people cannot even | | | | provide a clear answer? Are people comfortable |
| locate a verse of Scripture. | | | | defending their faith? Proving a point from |
| * Unfamiliar with the content of the Bible. Noah | | | | Scripture? Leading someone to Christ with nothing |
| and Moses and Jesus are favorite stories, but are | | | | more than a Bible in hand? |
| known only in the terms and generalities of | | | | Unfamiliar with the purpose of the Bible. The |
| childhood tales. The Psalms are at best pleasant | | | | Church does fairly well here, recognizing and |
| poetry. The sermons of Jesus draw a blank. The | | | | affirming that the purpose of the Bible is to tell |
| Pauline and General Epistles are much too difficult | | | | the story of man's sin and God's plan of salvation |
| to read and really aren't practical. The books of | | | | and how to live a holy life, but still - do we really |
| the Prophets are totally useless. | | | | live it? Do our lives show the world the |
| * Unfamiliar with the purpose of the Bible. The | | | | importance of the Sacred Writ? |
| Bible is certainly not science, and even its history | | | | Unfamiliar with the theology of the Bible. We do all |
| is suspect. At most it's a moral code, but even | | | | right with short words like sin and grace, but |
| then, the vast majority of people haven't read it | | | | longer terms such as sanctification and justification |
| to know what moral code it contains - they quote | | | | still get glazed looks from many Christians. |
| the Golden Rule and think that's all Jesus ever said. | | | | Certainly, the words seem to be detached from |
| * Unfamiliar with the theology of the Bible. Words | | | | everyday life. We are content to admit that |
| such as sin, salvation, sanctification, grace, | | | | doctrine is important, but we relegate it to |
| justification, and redemption are archaisms | | | | pastors and seminary students. |
| completely out-of-touch with modern-day | | | | Unfamiliar with the truth of the Bible. As |
| America. The concept that there are doctrines of | | | | Christians, we affirm that the Bible is the true and |
| God, man, Christ, and the Trinity is unheard of. | | | | absolute standard of living, the only plan of |
| * Unfamiliar with the truth of the Bible. In a world | | | | salvation, and the answer to every question |
| of moral relativism and moral decay, the | | | | voiced by humankind. But if we don't know what |
| statement that there is absolute truth, revealed | | | | it says, if we don't understand the doctrines, and |
| by the one True God, would be considered | | | | if we can't tell people about it - then can we really |
| ridiculous, narrow-minded, and old-fashioned. | | | | say that that is what we believe? |
| It is one thing, however, to state that our society | | | | In any battle, it is important to understand what |
| is biblically illiterate. That is almost to be expected; | | | | we are fighting against. Christian education in all its |
| after all, that is the "world" that we are in, but not | | | | forms - Sunday school, Bible studies, discipleship |
| of. | | | | relationships, sermons, books, radio, etc. - is |
| What would you say, though, if I were to assert | | | | struggling against biblical illiteracy: in the church as |
| that the Church in America is also biblically | | | | well as in the world. Let's take the time to study |
| illiterate? And by "the Church" I mean the true | | | | our opponent so we can advance God's kingdom |
| Church: the children of God, saved and redeemed | | | | and win this war! |
| by the blood; not everyone who happens to | | | | |
| inhabit a pew on a given Sunday morning. | | | | © 2008 Paula Marolewski |
| Look back on our definition of "biblically illiterate." | | | | You have my permission to reprint and distribute |
| Unfamiliar with the structure of the Bible. Can | | | | this article as long as it is distributed in its entirety, |
| most Christians talk knowledgeably about the | | | | including all links and copyright information. This |
| reason for the Old and New Testaments? Find | | | | article is not to be sold or included with anything |
| their way quickly around to locate a given text? | | | | that is sold. |
| Talk about the various types of books found in | | | | |