The Tragedy of Biblical Illiteracy, Part 2
Read Part 1.
National Study of Youth & Religion
The bad news does not end with LifeWay’s latest survey. Considered the most comprehensive study on the religious views of teenagers ever conducted, a four year effort led by Christian Smith called the National Study of Youth and Religion in 2005 determined that the majority of American teens believe in God and worship in conventional congregations, but their religious knowledge is remarkably shallow, and they have a tough time expressing the difference that faith makes in their lives.
Though the phone survey depicted broad affinity with religion, the face-to-face interviews found that many teens’ religious knowledge was “meager, nebulous and often fallacious” and engagement with the substance of their traditions remarkably shallow. Most seemed hard put to express coherently their beliefs and what difference they make.
Many were so detached from the traditions of their faith, says the report, that they’re virtually following a different creed in which an undemanding God exists mostly to solve problems and make people feel good. Truth in any absolute, theological sense, takes a back seat.
“God is something like a combination Divine Butler and Cosmic Therapist” who’s on call as needed.1
Discussion
The Tragedy of Biblical Illiteracy, Part 1
From Think on These Things, Feb. 2017; used with permission.
Both statistical research and anecdotal observation come to the same conclusion—America, a nation once steeped in Scripture if not always living in obedience to God, has joined the ranks of the biblically illiterate from around the globe. Both theologians and sociologists speak of our “post-Christian” culture, which, while still being fueled to some extent by the capital of Christianity, is now all but coasting on empty.
Albert Mohler, in a short article entitled “The Scandal of Biblical Illiteracy: It’s Our Problem,” quotes pollsters George Gallup and Jim Castelli as saying, “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.”1 As a result, Mohler documents that fewer than half of all adults can name the four Gospels, identify more than 3 disciples or name even five of the Ten Commandments. Eighty-two percent of Americans believe that “God helps those who help themselves” is in the Bible.
Discussion
Are there any national campus ministries you consider the best (or least worst)?
The college years are the best time in life to grow as disciples. Your mind is at its prime, most people are single and do not have the responsibilities of marriage, and life has not yet snuffed out the idealism associated with youth.
Many churches have outreach ministries to college students. I am thinking of Kossuth Street Baptist in Lafayette, IN (and their ministry to Purdue students).
Discussion
Are Altar Calls Biblical?
Body
“The success rate of genuine conversions at crusades hovers between 5% to 15%. Some may argue, ‘But seeds are planted.’ Yes, seeds are planted, but are they seeds of salvation or seeds of false assurance?”
Discussion