BIBLE LITERACY. 1
You know, I run into a lot of people who call themselves ‘Christians’, but aren’t very interested in actually reading the Bible
These people seem very sure about everything they don’t know.
True story, I ran into a gentleman who loudly proclaimed that we are either Children of Cain or Children of Abel. He very loudly professed he was a Child of Abel, a descendant of Abel.
Not sure if he was speaking literally or figuratively, but either way, he was incorrect.
You see in Genesis, first book in the Bible, we read about the story of Cain and Abel. We read that Cain killed Abel, (before he married and had offspring) after that Adam and Eve went on to have Seth. All of the generations leading up to Noah, Noah of he Arc story, these generations are all listed as descendants of Seth. Not Abel…Seth.
He was quite unimpressed with me. Even less so when he took issue with my asserting that Jesus genealogy is painstakingly recorded in the Book of Matthew (first book in the New Testament). They record his genealogy from Abraham to Joseph, who is listed as ‘Joseph, husband of Mary, who was the mother of Jesus’. I hope he puts his ego aside and read the Bible for himself one day.
That is when I realised that we have a very big problem, people have stopped reading the Bible for themselves, they so often have no idea what it actually contains and repeat the slanted interpretations from Televangelists….yeah…those guys. Come on, these guys are like pirates, the Evangelical’s of America? They are almost always off script and yes, like pirates they sway whichever way the wind blows.
So I ask you, how can you build a solid faith if you don’t take the time to create a solid foundation?
Reading the Bible, in its entirety–I will always encourage that, but I do know it can be quite daunting.
Maybe start with the New Testament. The Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Together they create the most amazing character profile for Jesus.
When I was younger, a pastor told me that if I wanted to understand the true nature of God, I should look to Jesus. Jesus, the ‘Word made Flesh’, God’s direct message to us. Jesus himself said that he spoke not his own words, but the words his Father told him to speak.
And if you look at his words, his life, his actions, he was the greatest hero this universe has ever known, and he left a template for us to follow.
In my life, every decision, every stance I take, every ideal I embrace, I stack it against the template of Jesus. I measure it against his example, his character, I bring it up in prayer and I imagine explaining my actions to Jesus. If I can’t meet his eyes when I do, I know that my choice is wrong.
Because life is so confusing, and our religious community has let us down so incredibly, I recommend making it simple, taking it back to Jesus. I strongly urge you to read the New Testament, don’t just take my word for it, read it for yourself.
Incidentally, that is one of the very things Martin Luthor fought for.
Thanks, Carey