Why are so many Christians biblically illiterate?

[secondtimearound]

Hey Lost_sheep.

The article went on to talk about how the little bit they do read is what they get on Sunday, which I inferred as an admonishment of a lot of churches not teaching the Bible either and focusing on only a few parts.

Couldn't agree more.

Not to brag, but I'm only a few steps closer to Jesus than an atheist...

Probably not. He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

There is no 'sorta', 'kinda', 'somewhat'. You're either in or you are out.

...and I'm nearly 25% through my first reading of the Bible. Granted, I'm not going to be a chapter-and-verse quoting guy this first go around, but if someone like me can read the entire Bible, there won't be any excuse for Christians who've been in the faith for years or decades to NOT have read it...at least once.

Great! That's awesome.

One thing to keep in mind. The bible is NOT just another book...

[SUP]12 [/SUP]For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrew 4:12

 

[John146]

I agree to an extent. But I also believe all you need is the word of God. The Bible will define itself. The Bible has it's own built-in dictionary. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Remember what you were taught in school.
Who is speaking, who are they talking to, what are they talking about, why are they talking, time--past, present, past.
It is very important to understand what key words ment when they were first writen by God's men.
Languages change with time. The meaning of words change. A word or term used 2000 years ago may have had a different meaning today.
Get a Strong's Hebrew-Greek dictionary. Look up words you are not sure of. If you have difficulity with a verse, look up everyword. It takes time and effort. Study with an open mind. Be willing to allow the Word to change you mind.
Keep a notebook. Things you learn/understand for furure reference.
Start with the Gospel of John.
Pray.
Don't get discourged. It may be a slow process when you begin.
Never be ashamed to ask for help.
Remember, we were all there in the begining.

 

[Willie-T]

There are many techniques for studying the Bible, and this is only one place that recommends this particular method, so look around..... but "Inductive" reasoning is hard to beat.

Inductive Bible Study | Bible Study Method |Bible Study Tools - Precept.org

 

[NayborBear]

Why? Because many have had the f@!$%!!@#@~! Pre-trib rapture crammed down their throats to the point where: "I don't have to read/study/know the Bible......Cuz, I'm gonna be OUTTA HERE!!"

......And?...You ever tried to tell someone something when they already know it all? Er werser BELIEVE they know it all?

 

[Willie-T]

You can tell a person who is convinced they "know" the Bible inside and out.... but you can't tell them much.

 

[Joidevivre]

I noticed that all the postings were from men. It seems that most of the Christian women I know have more of a tendency to gather to study the bible either in the morning or evening. Not so their husbands, who come home from work completely tired and what effort they have is put into their family life. Esp. if they have little ones. Wives need attention too.

From what I have seen, most of the women I know really are the spiritual leaders in their homes even though their husbands attend church with them on Sunday.

But we've already talked about what they are not getting Sunday morning.

I'm impressed with so many men on this site who really take studying seriously. And they work full time too? Good for you.

 

[Lost_sheep]

You can tell a person who is convinced they "know" the Bible.... but you can't tell them much.

You've described a LOT of people on these very forums.

Not saying it's "good" or "bad", but it certainly is entertaining for me to watch. Plus, shaking my head in disdain helps stretch my neck muscles out when they get sore.

 

[Willie-T]

I noticed that all the postings were from men. It seems that most of the Christian women I know have more of a tendency to gather to study the bible either in the morning or evening. Not so their husbands, who come home from work completely tired and what effort they have is put into their family life. Esp. if they have little ones. Wives need attention too.

From what I have seen, most of the women I know really are the spiritual leaders in their homes even though their husbands attend church with them on Sunday.

But we've already talked about what they are not getting Sunday morning.

I'm impressed with so many men on this site who really take studying seriously. And they work full time too? Good for you.

I'm cheating.... I'm retired. LOL

 

[John146]

I like what posthuman said earlier. We can agree and disagree on a lot of different stuff, but at the end of the day, we need to encourage each other to stay in the word. This world needs light, and we need to be protected from darkness.

I noticed that all the postings were from men. It seems that most of the Christian women I know have more of a tendency to gather to study the bible either in the morning or evening. Not so their husbands, who come home from work completely tired and what effort they have is put into their family life. Esp. if they have little ones. Wives need attention too.

From what I have seen, most of the women I know really are the spiritual leaders in their homes even though their husbands attend church with them on Sunday.

But we've already talked about what they are not getting Sunday morning.

I'm impressed with so many men on this site who really take studying seriously. And they work full time too? Good for you.

 

[secondtimearound]

i don't understand why so many who claim to have put their entire life into God's trust aren't more interested in reading this book, that contains the written record of His dealing with mankind, and His very own words to us. it really bewilders me.

i can only speak for myself - and for a long time i didn't pick it up much, even though i "believed." and when i did, i just flipped to a random section and read a few pages, and then pondered on them for some time. i can't explain why it wasn't more important to me. i guess i felt like i got "enough" of it by going to church a couple hours a week. in hindsight of course...

...i still don't read it - or study it - as much as i ought.

Hello posthuman. We it seems we can understand. Its just a matter of catching the person at the right moment in time, in their walk! There may have been people looking at you back then and thinking the same thing?

Been there, done that. Doesn't matter how sketchy our past habits are, just pick up and go on.

Sitting down and doing word studies is hard work. Don't let anybody kid you about that. If they're not, you're doing it wrong!

I've got the Bible on audio and on video. Not up to a pile of homework? Pop in the tape/media. With video, you can still read along.

"Faith comes by hearing."

 

[Chuckt]

You can tell a person who is convinced they "know" the Bible inside and out.... but you can't tell them much.

Some of us spend a lot of time studying. We aren't here to be dishonest. We're actually trying to know the truth better and there just aren't people who can match the amount of Bible studying we have done to tell us we are wrong.

My first Bible studies were pretty bad but I've become better over a decade and I've written hundreds of Bible studies and Biblical articles in the last 15 years. I've done tons of evangelism before that.

There are plenty of questions I can't answer and the more I study, the more I learn that I don't know but there are few people who will stand with me when I do evangelism. There are Christians that fall away when they do evangelism with me because the heathens will short circuit their brains.

 

[Willie-T]

Here is a link to images of "The Inductive Bible Study" bookmarks. I copied the ones I thought were best, enlarged them with my computer, then printed two sets out, cut them and glued them back to back, and laminated them. One for me, and one for my wife.

https://www.google.com/search?q=ind...4_PKAhXIox4KHSdXDN0Q_AUIBygB&biw=1105&bih=543

I won't tell you which set I picked. You choose for yourself.

 

[John146]

I have found by going out and witnessing on the streets, I really need to know the Bible. People want to know. People want to challenge. I think everyone should go witnessing on the streets. It really motivates to know study the word. Who really cares how much we know, if we're not actively trying to lead people to Jesus Christ.

 

[Gr8grace]

Because they have not found their right teacher who is operating in his gift of teaching.

Many just want to have their own private interpretation led by " their" Spirit.

Or they just settle for a "pastor" that is close to home, comfortable and doesn't even have the gift of teacher or If he has the gift,he is not operating in it.

A pastor teacher operating in his gift gives the sheep the Word, tools,history,original languages and any means available to PROVE him wrong.

 

[Willie-T]

Some of us spend a lot of time studying. We aren't here to be dishonest. We're actually trying to know the truth better and there just aren't people who can match the amount of Bible studying we have done to tell us we are wrong.

My first Bible studies were pretty bad but I've become better over a decade and I've written hundreds of Bible studies and Biblical articles in the last 15 years. I've done tons of evangelism before that.

There are plenty of questions I can't answer and the more I study, the more I learn that I don't know but there are few people who will stand with me when I do evangelism. There are Christians that fall away when they do evangelism with me because the heathens will short circuit their brains.

See what I mean? LOL

 

[posthuman]

Been there, done that. Doesn't matter how sketchy our past habits are, just pick up and go on.

amen, the past isn't something we can change, and complaining wastes the present.
problems aren't solved by assigning blame; they're solved by implementing solutions.

 

[crossnote]

Many are bible illiterate because they approach the bible as if it was an assortment of stories rather than seeing the central theme and all else like spokes on a wheel pointing to that central hub.

 

[Willie-T]

Many are bible illiterate because they approach the bible as if it was an assortment of stories rather than seeing the central theme and all else like spokes on a wheel pointing to that central hub.

This is a triple-barreled fact!

 

[NayborBear]

I'm cheating.... I'm retired. LOL

I resemble that remark, Willie-T.

And, I can tell ya a little more also.
It was very hard for me to continue working my job, driving a semi-dump truck to construction sites, in Illinois, where, you can see the list of former governors, hanging on the Post Office bulletin board. Working out of the quarries, for men who defiled the earth. I'll tell ya.......THAT'S, seeing, and dealing WITH the enemy right up close and personal, it is.

The last 25, 26, years after I was convicted was a real challenge for me. (baptized @ 13, but left the church, around 16 er 17). I wanted to up n quit me job, but, financial security (such as it is), kept me from allowing God to "continue growing" in me. I'd keep praying for release from the enormous oppression I was enduring, and He kept answering me: "What don't kills ye (and, I ain't gonna let's 'em do that), makes ye stronger!"

To make a long story short?........I'm still here!....

 

[Willie-T]

I resemble that remark, Willie-T.

And, I can tell ya a little more also.
It was very hard for me to continue working my job, driving a semi-dump truck to construction sites, in Illinois, where, you can see the list of former governors, hanging on the Post Office bulletin board. Working out of the quarries, for men who defiled the earth. I'll tell ya.......THAT'S, seeing, and dealing WITH the enemy right up close and personal, it is.

The last 25, 26, years after I was convicted was a real challenge for me. (baptized @ 13, but left the church, around 16 er 17). I wanted to up n quit me job, but, financial security (such as it is), kept me from allowing God to "continue growing" in me. I'd keep praying for release from the enormous oppression I was enduring, and He kept answering me: "What don't kills ye (and, I ain't gonna let's 'em do that), makes ye stronger!"

To make a long story short?........I'm still here!....

I survived "Christianity" to find Christ.