July 2009 Archives

I have had the great good fortune to visit recently with some amazing preachers about the challenges posed by general biblical illiteracy, in the course of writing an article on the topic for Christian Century magazine. For all sorts of reasons, it's tough for people these days to learn even basic information about the Bible, despite its enormous influence on history and culture. Preachers face the challenge of trying to balance the different degrees of biblical literacy that congregants gathered on any given week may or may not have with the need to communicate a meaningful message necessarily based in biblical texts. I asked some for their thoughts on the problem in general and on what, specifically, preachers might do to address it. Among their thought-provoking comments and observations are some that deserve more attention than I could give in the article... or with only my voice. I'd love to hear from you -- what you think -- so I'm posting a few of the more controversial, or at least discussion-demanding (!), here. Each has its own blog, numbered in alphabetical order by the preacher's last name.

David Wolpe, Rabbi of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles and author of Why Faith Matters asserts that "the job of a preacher is to make the Bible strange, strange enough to awaken a sense of 'Wow! What is this about?'" He notes that we sometimes talk about the "fear of God" when the Hebrew word translated "fear" is really more like "awe." The Bible tells that this "fear/awe of God is the beginning of wisdom" (Psalm 111:10). Should/does biblical literacy originate in this awe-some state of being?

I have had the great good fortune to visit recently with some amazing preachers about the challenges posed by general biblical illiteracy, in the course of writing an article on the topic for Christian Century magazine. For all sorts of reasons, it's tough for people these days to learn even basic information about the Bible, despite its enormous influence on history and culture. Preachers face the challenge of trying to balance the different degrees of biblical literacy that congregants gathered on any given week may or may not have with the need to communicate a meaningful message necessarily based in biblical texts. I asked some for their thoughts on the problem in general and on what, specifically, preachers might do to address it. Among their thought-provoking comments and observations are some that deserve more attention than I could give in the article... or with only my voice. I'd love to hear from you -- what you think -- so I'm posting a few of the more controversial, or at least discussion-demanding (!), here. Each has its own blog, numbered in alphabetical order by the preacher's last name.

Denise Honeycutt, Director of Mission and Global Justice for the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church observes an additional problem -- marginal literacy, in general, among populations where Christianity is growing by leaps and bounds. Parishioners who cannot read must take the preacher's word at face value. One result: a strictly literal reading and application of scripture. So, adding to the challenges are "how to teach literacy enough and also the ciritical tools to ask questions?... How do we live into being a worldwide church... to be and teach good Bible readers without being colonialist?" Thoughts? 

I have had the great good fortune to visit recently with some amazing preachers about the challenges posed by general biblical illiteracy, in the course of writing an article on the topic for Christian Century magazine. For all sorts of reasons, it's tough for people these days to learn even basic information about the Bible, despite its enormous influence on history and culture. Preachers face the challenge of trying to balance the different degrees of biblical literacy that congregants gathered on any given week may or may not have with the need to communicate a meaningful message necessarily based in biblical texts. I asked some for their thoughts on the problem in general and on what, specifically, preachers might do to address it. Among their thought-provoking comments and observations are some that deserve more attention than I could give in the article... or with only my voice. I'd love to hear from you -- what you think -- so I'm posting a few of the more controversial, or at least discussion-demanding (!), here. Each has its own blog, numbered in alphabetical order by the preacher's last name.

Brad Hirschfield, President of the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, and named one of the "Top 30 Preachers and Teachers" by Beliefnet, urges caution in setting up categories of literacy and illiteracy, if they simply affirm some kind of superiority for preachers. He observes that "real literacy creates great independence, and I don't know if preachers want that." Agree? Disagree?

I have had the great good fortune to visit recently with some amazing preachers about the challenges posed by general biblical illiteracy, in the course of writing an article on the topic for Christian Century magazine. For all sorts of reasons, it's tough for people these days to learn even basic information about the Bible, despite its enormous influence on history and culture. Preachers face the challenge of trying to balance the different degrees of biblical literacy that congregants gathered on any given week may or may not have with the need to communicate a meaningful message necessarily based in biblical texts. I asked some for their thoughts on the problem in general and on what, specifically, preachers might do to address it. Among their thought-provoking comments and observations are some that deserve more attention than I could give in the article... or with only my voice. I'd love to hear from you -- what you think -- so I'm posting a few of the more controversial, or at least discussion-demanding (!), here. Each has its own blog, numbered in alphabetical order by the preacher's last name.

Tony Campolo, professor, preacher, and author of many books, most recently Red Letter Christians, believes that contributing to our general biblical illiteracy is the proliferation of translations. He favors prioritizing the King James Version and encouraging memorization of particular passages. Thoughts?

I have had the great good fortune to visit recently with some amazing preachers about the challenges posed by general biblical illiteracy, in the course of writing an article on the topic for Christian Century magazine. For all sorts of reasons, it's tough for people these days to learn even basic information about the Bible, despite its enormous influence on history and culture. Preachers face the challenge of trying to balance the different degrees of biblical literacy that congregants gathered on any given week may or may not have with the need to communicate a meaningful message necessarily based in biblical texts. I asked some for their thoughts on the problem in general and on what, specifically, preachers might do to address it. Among their thought-provoking comments and observations are some that deserve more attention than I could give in the article... or with only my voice. I'd love to hear from you -- what you think -- so I'm posting a few of the more controversial, or at least discussion-demanding (!), here. Each has its own blog, numbered in alphabetical order by the preacher's last name.

Wallace Adams-Riley, Rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Richmond, VA advises preachers, "Just tell the stories... Told well and faithfully, the stories have such power." Thoughts?

Those Lutherans are on top of it, again! Recognizing that few people have an opportunity to learn about the Bible and so are at a disadvantage for understanding the bases of their faith as well as for engaging the rich questions of lived belief, they've established the Book of Faith Initiative. Reverend Dr. Stan Olson, ELCA's Executive Director for Vocation and Education put me on to it in reply to my inquiry about how preachers might help their parishioners boost biblical literacy (and so get more out of their sermons). Great stuff! Check it out. Critics rightly point out that (as is so often the case) it can be tricky to distinguish between teaching about the Bible and teaching particular readings, interpretations, or applications of the Bible.

A recent study reveals that our friends in the UK may actually have beat us in the ignominious race toward biblical illiteracy. Comfortably ensconsed in the charming "Senior Common Room" (a kind of faculty lounge but waaay nicer) at Harris Manchester College, I came across an article in The Independent citing a recent study that "found that as few as 10 per cent of people understood the main characters of the Bible and their relevance. I admit that it was a bit jarring to read such news from the amazing hub of learning that is Oxford University (and site of much Harry Potter filming). On the other hand, it's understandable.

Judging from the comments that people have posted about the article, many consider learning about the Bible to be a religious exercise, so they figure that it's not relevant (and some argue should be avoided) for those who aren't religious... rather than something of value for people no matter what their faith (non)beliefs. Here's hoping that Bible Babel, with its religiously neutral voice simply introducing info about the Bible to general readers, will find its way to this illustrious place whose history is so steeped in and influenced by the Bible.