The Foray

BBC News Headline: "Knowledge of Bible 'in decline'"

To quote the famed American philosopher, Gomer Pyle: "Surprise! Surprise!"

Although this particular article details the decline of Bible knowledge among people in the United Kingdom, does anyone honestly think the situation is all that different on this side of the pond? The National Biblical Literacy Survey found the following:

• Fewer than 1 in 20 were able to name all of the Ten Commandments
• 62% did not know the parable of the Prodigal Son
• 60% could not name anything about the story of the Good Samaritan
• One respondent said David and Goliath was the name of a ship
• Another thought Daniel was the "Lion King" (Um... wasn't that Mufasa?)

And how did younger interviewees describe the Bible?

• "old-fashioned"
• "irrelevant"
• "for Dot Cotton" (a popular senior citizen, soap opera character in Great Britain known for going to church).

Nine observations:

1. Behold the power of media! (Right, Dot?)
2. Referencing media (as I did Sunday via examples of our "uncertain times") is a legitimate pulpit action. Younger listeners (especially!) soak in media today. It's therefore a valuable "point of connection."
3. The apostle Paul knew the value of "media" references in his day to gain a hearing with his listeners (e.g., Acts 17:22-23; Titus 1:12).
4. Young people need to hear an accurate, modern version of the Bible that clearly communicates God word, lest they stumble over unnecessarily obscure and difficult English.
5. No wonder Islam is spreading throughout England; without vibrant Christianity, Mohammad has a wide-open door.
6. Where are the Christian parents of these kids?
7. Where are the churches?
8. What are local churches doing to address this growing Bible illiteracy? Anything?
9. Sitting around "cursing the darkness" will avail churches in Britain (and America!) NOTHING. For generations now, that's what we've been doing, and look where it's gotten us!

You may wish to add your own observations.

Greg

Thank You, Veterans!

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
                       -- Lawrence Binyon, For the Fallen

Thank you, veterans, for helping keep this the greatest nation on earth.

Greg

An Election Day Alternative

Instead of obsessing over the election returns as they come in this evening, I propose an alternative: That we turn to Scripture and prayer, rather than to television and Brian Williams.

Or Katie Couric. Or Charles Gibson. Or Brit Hume. Or Wolf Blitzer. Or ... or ... or ...

When the election results are finally in and America learns which "change" it has chosen, do you know what will NOT change?

Our nation's desperate need of God and of brokenness before him!

That's why I propose an election day alternative.

May God have mercy on us!

Greg

Focus and Politics

If you've listened to me for very long, you've likely heard me talk about the importance of "keeping the proper focus." In fact, my very first sermon series at MVBC was titled, "Forward-Focused with Christ in View."

Simply put, the right focus is vital.

And definitely when it comes to Christians and politics ... yea, especially when it comes to Christians and politics.

Over the years, I've seen and heard believers completely LOSE their focus in this area. I remember overhearing a verbal fight between two deacons in a church I was serving (in another state). One deacon was an ardent Republican, the other an ardent Democrat. They were doing some landscaping along the side of the church building when their disagreement erupted. At one point their voices grew so loud that I honestly thought I was going to have to go break them up, lest the entire community be drawn to investigate!

I'm not sure they realized that they had landscaped around the building all the way to my study window and that I was sitting inside and listening to them duke it out.

"Well, they must've been a couple of young hot heads who didn't know any better." Well ... not exactly. They were actually two of our church's most senior deacons. I guess it's not just young Christians who struggle with self-controlled political debate.

Okay. Why even bring this up?

Simply to plead with you to do your personal best this election year to keep your focus where it properly belongs as a Christian. I promise that I'll try too. Remember that Christ is our King and that his revealed will not only trumps any and all political loyalties, but also directs us as to how we're to converse with one another and others.

As you listen to the candidates in the run-up to November, fight hard -- and, if need be, pray hard -- not to lose sight of your identity and calling as a follower of Jesus Christ.

In a recent debate, one of this year's presidential candidates (who shall remain nameless to protect the guilty) spoke of his intention to "heal America and repair the world," prompting one commentator wryly to say, "One wonders what he will do for an encore and whether he will rest on the seventh day."

Precisely!

As the political scene heats up in 2008 (and it's just starting), give all you've got as a Christian to keeping your focus where it rightly belongs: "... looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith" (Heb 12:2).

This will keep you from ever fighting like two old tomcats outside your pastor's study window -- and having him write about it years later on the worldwide web.

Greg