Dear Friends,
In 2007, Steven Prothero, the chair of the religion department at Boston University wrote a book called Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs To Know, And Doesn’t. (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=1d081e3a90&e=fbb0a4052b)
In the book, Dr. Prothero said that while nearly two-thirds of Americans believe that the Bible holds the answers to all or most of life's basic questions, only half of American adults can name even one of the four gospels. Most Americans cannot name the first book of the Bible.
His conclusion? America is what he calls “a land of Biblical idiots.”
William Evans, who has taught the Bible to college students at Erskine College in South Carolina for more than 20 years might not say it as harshly. But he agrees. He says “we have generations of people who have grown up in the church and yet have little idea what the Bible says or what Christians are supposed to believe.”
In general, I think as a church we probably have a better than average congregation when it comes to biblical and theological literacy.
Many of you know and can articulate and defend the basic theological truths that are the foundation of our faith. But there’s a reason Paul told his protégé Timothy to follow the pattern of sound words and to guard the spiritual deposit that had been entrusted to him. What happens when we assume that everyone knows and can articulate what the Bible teaches is that we can lose the generation that is right behind us.
Timothy Larson, a professor at Wheaton College, has studied carefully the history of religious life in Great Britain. One hundred and fifty years ago, he says, life in Britain was permeated with the Bible; the Bible was a key part of the educational system from start to finish. Catechism training happened in public schools. Larson says “the stark contrast between the Bible-saturated culture of the 19th century and the barrenly secular Britain of today underscores just how easy it is to lose biblical and theological literacy. All it takes is a generation or two of neglect. Biblical and theological literacy is something that takes sustained ongoing effort.”
This is one of the reasons that we recite a catechism question and answer every week in our worship service. And it’s why we’ve added the Sunday morning catechism class at 8:30, before church begins. Having a firm grasp on the fundamentals of the Christian faith is something to which all of us should be committed.
But of course, knowledge of biblical and theological truth is not our primary goal as we study the Bible. The truths we articulate are not simply things we are to believe. They are things we should believe in.
You understand the difference. If someone says to you “I believe Donald Trump is the US President,” they would be affirming something that is unarguably accurate. But if that same person says “I believe in President Trump,” they would be making a very different kind of statement.
Christian faith begins with knowing and affirming the truth of what the Bible says about God and the gospel. But it doesn’t end there. We are called to know what the Bible teaches, to affirm that what the Bible teaches is true, and then ultimately to trust those truths. We are called to live our lives in such a way that what we say is true has an actual impact on the choices we make.
It matters that we get it right when we think and talk about what the Bible teaches. And it matters that we live it right too. We must be people who don’t just believe what the Bible says. We must be people who believe in what the Bible says – people who live out the things we say we believe.
THIS WEEKEND AT REDEEMERMary Ann and I ventured out onto city streets today. Kroger didn’t have any eggs and very little milk. But we were able to get what we needed. And we were able to get there and back safely.
With temps supposed to be above freezing tomorrow, we’re moving forward with our plans for this weekend.
First, we’ll be meeting on Friday at 2:00 pm to remember and celebrate the life of Kristen Lahti. Everyone is invited to join Scott and Marcia and the family.
Then our Roots students will gather at church at 6:30 for the first night of their D-Now weekend. Please keep the students and leaders in prayer this weekend.
DEBT REDUCTION SUNDAY OFFERING
This Sunday is when we’ll be taking our special debt reduction offering for our church. Thank you to those of you who have already given cash or property. And please be praying about what you might bring to give on Sunday – a check, jewelry, the gold coins that are in a closet somewhere, the deed to a vehicle – whatever you have that you can contribute.
Moms and Dads – here’s a teaching opportunity for you with your children. Get them involved this week!
Our plan is to have an offering basket at the back door of the worship center as the service ends on Sunday. As you leave, simply drop your gift in the basket.
As you pray for our time together this Sunday, please remember to make this offering a matter of prayer. Ask the Lord to supply exactly what we need.
SUPER BOWL WEEKEND AT RCC
Seattle? New England? Or will you be watching the Big Game a week from this Sunday for the commercials?
Whether you’re excited about the Super Bowl or not, we have a lot happening that weekend for you to get excited about.
First, on Saturday, February 7, we’ll be commandeering as many lanes as we need for an afternoon of Super Bowling for anyone and everyone! Register here (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=6632e74faf&e=fbb0a4052b) for some great bowling fun!
Next, we get ready for the game by having lunch together right after church on Sunday – a Soup – er Bowl Lunch. Plan to bring a crockpot of soup or chili to share with others that morning.
And along with the Soup-er Bowl lunch, our Roots Students have your dessert covered. It’s the annual fund raising Bake Sale to help fund the Street Reach outreach in Memphis this summer.
SPRING MEN'S RETREAT
Our Spring Men’s Retreat is set for early March. And guys, space is limited this year. We’ve invited the men at Gracepoint Church in Searcy to join us for our retreat this year. Their pastor, Doug Grimes and I will provide the teaching for the retreat.
Lock in your spot . Register now (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=73b77c1725&e=fbb0a4052b). Enjoy a great weekend of fun, games, fellowship, great food and time together in God’s word.
BACK TOGETHER THIS SUNDAY
One of God’s communicable attributes is His giving-ness. He gives generously to His people. He so loved the world that He gave His Son. And if we’re going to call ourselves followers of Jesus, giving to advance the Kingdom is going to be part of what following Him will look like.
We’ll look at what the Bible tells us about generosity and giving when we meet for worship in person this Sunday.
See you in church!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Bob
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