Biblical illiteracy

Oct

This morning my husband Martyn went to a meeting to discuss how high schools can best teach web design in San Diego county. Although my kids have grown up at a time that will probably be coined “the computer age” they have received very little technical instruction at school. Technical illiteracy is unhelpful given the technically developing world that we are in. Similarly an ignorance of the Bible will make it difficult for kids to understand life from a Christian perspective. As Christianity is virtually excluded from public schools, we should not be surprised that many kids do not understand what was assumed as right and wrong in earlier generations. We need to be aware that Biblical illiteracy is a problem that needs addressing.

As a Christian I am concerned about the exclusion of Christianity in public schools. Like technology, if kids are not familiar with the Bible, they are likely to avoid it. If school shuns Christianity, where they spend most of their time, inevitably many will not consider picking up a Bible and reading it. If students are taught evolution as fact rather than as a theory, it is confusing to read the first few chapters of the Bible where it is taught that God created the world. Unless parents and churches teach the Biblical world view conscientiously school kids will assume that science contradicts faith.

I am not expecting public schools to exclusively teach a Biblical world view. However, the avoidance of any mention of God will have more serious consequences than failing to teach appropriate technology. The latter will cause us to potentially lag behind international competitors. Avoiding Jesus is resulting in many being ignorant of the meaning of life. We have been created by an all powerful, loving God, for a significant purpose. We are not a higher form of animal with instincts that need to be satisfied. We are made in God’s image to live godly lives responsibly reaching out in love to help others and to serve God. Sex education at school may suggest that satisfying our instincts is fine with appropriate protection. Christians need to teach a different message.

I appreciate that it is unlikely that schools will reintroduce the Bible and return to a pre-1960′s educational mind set. However, in my opinion good education should involve kids investigating different perspectives and opinions. Evolution should be taught as one approach and creation as another. In the same way that a biology teacher teaches evolutionary theory, it would be great if a Bible teacher could present the Christian world view. No one should be forced to believe, but good education requires an understanding of different perspectives. George Washington’s speeches should be read and discussed and his Christian perspective should not be eradicated by text book writers. Even if Christianity is not promoted, the kids should at least be encouraged to respect it and to understand how faith shaped American values and the constitution. Parents need to tell their kids about how Christians shaped this nation.

My husband could have made sure that all of our children were technically proficient making up for the inconsistent approach to technology at school. He chose not to push them to learn as they were already busy with homework and activities. It is easy to avoid making our children learn useful skills when they show little interest and start complaining. This is a greater problem when our children are not interested in finding out about Jesus. It is easier to leave them to sleep on Sunday mornings rather than take them to church against their will. Helping children to complete homework is bad enough but we may feel that encouraging them to read the Bible is yet one more battle. However if schools are no longer teaching about Jesus it is essential that we persevere.

I believe that despite our kids’ attitudes we must teach them about Jesus from the Bible and take them to church or to a meeting where they will learn from the Bible. My family is aware that many kids are not familiar with the Bible or church. Consequently we have been providing opportunities for our son James to ask his friends to come to our home to eat, play sports, “hang out” and to read the Bible. He invites lots of friends on Facebook and those who are interested come along. There is no pressure. They can walk from school in less than ten minutes. Most of the 8-12 kids who come have no church background but they are in a safe, comfortable place to ask questions. This has also boosted James’ faith. If it was not for him noone would come, and as a junior at high school he is learning the joy and the challenge of following Jesus. He is realizing that following is an active response and he is moving beyond just sitting and listening.

Jesus, in John 7:37 “cried in a loud voice, ‘if any man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink!’ ” We know that a drink is more vital than anything else. Are we receiving what we need from Jesus? Are we offering Him to others knowing that without Him they are spiritually thirsty and in great need? Encouraging kids to discover Jesus is not adding an extra burden to pressurized lives. We need to demonstrate that Jesus deals with our worries, refreshes us and loves us. He is not an extra activity but He is what life is all about and he offers life to the full. Kids are not hearing this at school, so we need to make sure that they are being offered the drink that Jesus offers. They may refuse to receive it now, but we can pray and we can offer opportunities for kids to find out more about Jesus.

As Christian women we can make a difference. If you are not yet a Christian Jesus will satisfy your thirst. Keep finding out about Him.

www.WomenRespond.com

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