There I sat in a meeting pretty much bored and barely paying attention. I was one of about fifteen people in the meeting. Most of the others were about as engaged as I was. What caught my attention was a reference to a bible character. Now this was something different. There are many references to God and Jesus in my workplace, but not in a God honoring way. I've learned to cringe and tune these things out along with the curse words.
What I found particularly interesting this day was a reference to Moses. Unfortunately this person referred to Moses and his ark. I started to laugh when I realized he was very serious and had no idea what he'd said. I looked around the room to see if anyone else was laughing. Nothing! No reaction at all from anyone. I sat there stunned. One of two things had happened. Either everyone knew he made a mistake and instantly gave him the benefit of the doubt or no one knew that Noah was the man who built the ark. I guess there is a third possibility. Maybe there were some that just didn't care.
It's funny when kids make mistakes when speaking about the bible and bible stories. They are still figuring it all out and get confused sometimes. For instance some kids said…………
- Samson slayed the Philistines with the axe of the Apostles
- The greatest miracle in the Bible is when Joshua told his son to stand still and he obeyed him.
- Solomon, one of David's sons, had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.
- Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contraption
- Christians have only one spouse. This is called monotony.
It's entirely different when adults who call themselves Christians can do no better. I understand that statement leaves you feeling a little uncomfortable. Someone probably just yelled, "Who are you to judge?" I'm not judging you. You can judge yourself. Read on:
The other day I heard where folks were asked some simple bible questions.
- One man thought that Daniel[1]was the lion king.
- Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego[2]were ships.
- The Epistles[3]were thought to be the wives of the apostles.
- One man was asked about the Ten Commandments and said the right to bear arms was right there next to thou shalt not lie and steal.
When you begin to read the surveys and studies about Christian knowledge of the bible you discover alarming statistics.
- Only half of professed Christians know who delivered the Sermon on the Mount.
- Many struggle with a basic knowledge of the Christian significance of Easter and Christmas.
- Sixty percent can't name the first four books of the New Testament.
- Only Seventy percent of Christians know where Jesus was born.
What are even more alarming are the things we fill our minds with. Some can spout sports statistics all day; others can tell you the lyrics to all of Michael Jackson's songs; and others have incredible knowledge of computer games. There is nothing inherently wrong with any of these things. But maybe they are revealing what is really important to us.
Even many churches today are putting away their bibles. Instead they hear pithy sermons about culturally important topics. Many pastors have put the bible away as an irrelevant document.
As far as I can tell, there is no expiration date on the word of God. The bible is as relevant today as it ever was.
2 Timothy 3:16
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Just Thinking.
Doug
Facebook