Biblical Illiteracy

We live in a modern world that is often full of paradoxes. We now live in the "Age of Information"; thanks to our new techologies, we can access all kinds of information at a moment's notice. On the other hand, despite having all this knowledge available, people tend to not remember many facts or details that are normally considered important to know. In the end, we have more information, but less knowledge.

This trend is especially true in terms of knowledge of the Bible. It would seem that Biblical knowledge today is at a record low. One could perhaps blame the education systems of our day, since even though the Bible is foundational for our entire civilization it is still not taught in the schools, but it would seem that overall people simply do not know their Bibles.

There are many consequences to this trend. As Paul asks in Romans 10:14, "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard?". How can people really believe in Jesus or to do His will if they do not know His message from the Bible?

The consequences for our society, however, are perhaps even more grave. God spoke the following to Israel through Hosea in Hosea 4:1-3:

"Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel; for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor goodness, nor knowledge of God in the land. There is nought but swearing and breaking faith, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery; they break out, and blood toucheth blood. Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field and the birds of the heavens; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away."

Have we not seen these very trends in our own society? If we turn on the television and watch the news, we are constantly bombarded by images of people not knowing God and doing all kinds of horrendous things to one another. If God had a dispute with Israel regarding these matters, we can be sure that God also will dispute with Americans when Americans does the same thing!

The problem of Biblical illiteracy, however, is easily solved: everyone can read the Bible! We are a people most blessed, and we rarely even think about it or consider it (cf. Ephesians 1:3). We live in a society where most people can read; many generations before us had far lower literacy rates. The printing press has allowed us to print the whole Bible in a compact and readable form; the Bible remains the best-selling book, and most everyone has a copy of it (and if you need one, feel free to contact us, and we will be happy to get you one!). The Internet even features the whole Bible for free. It is clear, therefore, that we have unprecedented access to God's Word, and all we need to do is to open it up and take advantage of it!

We, the church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio, strive to teach God's Word just as it has been written, and we feature many Bible classes and personal Bible studies so that more people may become Biblically literate. If you would like to learn more about the Bible, we encourage you to contact us at any time or to visit us during our assemblies. Let us all strive to know God's Word!

Ethan R. Longhenry
evangelist@norwalkchurch.org

How Well Do You Know the Bible?

Below are some basic questions about Biblical events. Test yourself-- do you know your Bible?

1. Who are the three main patriarchs?

2. Which country did Israel leave in the Exodus?

3. Which king of Israel slew Goliath?

4. Which prophet "prepared the way" for Jesus?

5. In which city was Jesus born?

6. On which day was Jesus raised from the dead?

7. Who was the "apostle to the Gentiles"?

Answers: 1. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 3:6); 2. Egypt (Exodus 12:51); 3. David (1 Samuel 17); 4. John the Baptist (Mark 1); 5. Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1); 6. The third day, or the first day of the week (Luke 24:1; cf. John 2:19-22); 7. Paul (or Saul; Romans 11:13)

The church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio

Thank you for reading the electronic version of our bulletin, Good News for Norwalk. If you live in Norwalk or happen to be traveling in the Norwalk area, we would certainly love to have you visit one of our assemblies!

Our location:

386 North Edgewood Drive (just off US 250 just north of Norwalk's city limits)
Norwalk, Ohio 44857

Our assemblies:

Sunday morning assembly: 10:30am
Sunday evening assembly: 6:00pm

Our Bible studies:

Sunday morning Bible study: 9:30am
Wednesday evening Bible study: 7:00pm

For More Information

If you have any questions or comments about anything you have read here, or desire more information, please contact our evangelist, Ethan Longhenry, at evangelist@norwalkchurch.org.

Please click here to return to the 2007 archive of Good News for Norwalk, or click here to return to the main page of Good News for Norwalk. Thanks!