SCRIPTURE-FREE

Canadians and Americans live in an increasingly scripture-free public space. More disturbing is the reality that most Christians live in a scripture-free personal and family space. Within the general population it can be assumed there will be misperceptions and ignorance about the Bible. However, we must waste no more time advocating or condemning either traditional or emerging churches when the scandal is really the emerging biblical illiteracy among professing Christians. It can now be assumed that Christians don't know much about the Bible.

image by Aidan Hart

Marriages of Christian couples are dissolving at the same rate as marriages of non-believing people. Christians participate in interpersonal conflicts and churches endure internal power struggles with the same frequency as irreligious individuals and organizations. The light emitted by Christians in communities shines no brighter than the lives of agnostics or other faith groups.

To any thoughtful student of Christian faith, this is not merely curious, it is shocking. Christians espouse Christ, the Son of God as their Saviour, King, Lord. Christians speak of an inside-out transformation, a conversion, a personal rebirth. Christians understand that God's own spirit, the Holy Spirit, Deity himself, resides within them to teach them, and to reproduce within them an unmistakable resemblance to Christ. Can we appreciate the reasons for suspicion and cynicism among observers when our best evidence for the truth is falling so abysmally short of convincing? The credibility of the Christian gospel hinges upon the product, the professing follower, the so-called disciple.

If all else fails, read the instructions.
Christians don't read their Bibles. It is therefore unlikely that they will live as followers of Christ.