Illiterate Christians

Posted on Monday 4 June 2007 at 10:04 AM in Bible - Post Comment

I heard this term again over the weekend so I thought I would repost my thoughts on this from last year.

Colossians 3:16 
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

I heard the term "illiterate Christians" on the radio the other day and it really hit home with me.  They were using the term in reference to American Christians being pretty illiterate in their knowledge of the Bible.  They were saying with our vast selection of Christian books, Christian TV networks, Christian music and Christian merchandise that we aren't spending enough time really reading and studying the Bible itself.  For example, buying books on Christian living instead of going to straight to the Bible to study what it says.  Instead of referencing God Himself, we reference what "Pastor So-And-So" says in his best selling book or "Dr. So-And-So" says on his radio show.  Because the many Christians aren't well enough rooted in the Bible that they simply put all their trust in what their pastors, or in what popular book authors are teaching and cannot (or aren't willing to) discern good or poor teaching. Would Jesus send His $100 seed money to the pastor on TV?   Would Jesus buy any of the books on the Christian best seller list? I heard someone else say that if we are Biblically illiterate Christians, we are then in fact going out into the world only half dressed (referring to the armor of God). I personally need to try to spend more time reading and studying the Bible and less time at the Christian book stores looking for books to read on how to be a better wife/mom/witness/Christian.

2 Corinthians 11:3-4
But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-21
Rejoice always,  pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good.

Untitled Comment

Posted by JoyceFamily on Monday 4 June 2007 at 10:10 AM - Link

Excellent, excellent point....and well said too. I couldn't agree more.

Amen!

Posted by Jonash2004 on Monday 4 June 2007 at 2:10 PM - Link

We've tried to point out the difference between "Bible Study" and "Book Study". Needless to say, we aren't super popular!

Not that books can't help, occasionally. But we do need to be careful not to latch on to a particular author, or set of authors, and think "Ah, *this* is what the Bible says!"

The Bible is so valued in some countries overseas, where they study tiny chunks of the Bible, sometimes commiting many passages to memory, before passing it on!

We are blessed in America....

Ashley