intersect, where the bible meets life

Teaching the Bible in a Post-Christian Culture, Part Two

Texts, Apps, and “Glowing Rectangles”

To this day I can see him. My grandfather reached his right hand into the back pocket of his best overalls, pulled out his folded Sunday School quarterly, and began teaching—reading, as best he could—the lesson for that Lord’s Day. The setting was the small sanctuary of his country church quartered into “classrooms” by curtains drawn across its length and breadth. His students mirrored their teacher: hardscrabble farmers, not educated formally, but smart enough to love God, their families, their land, and the Good Book.

For nearly all of us, today’s setting is different. The culture is absolutely not the same, yet the primacy of teaching the Bible endures. How can the Church develop mainstream Bible teaching in this defiant, distracted culture? Seven strategies offer help in this challenge. First, be a see-through teacher, as noted in the previous column.

2. Quality control presuppositions.

We’d love to think we come to Scripture totally free of bias, impartial to preconceived ideas contrary to the truth we’re about to teach. Alas, the notion of a “blank slate” is a dream. Not going to happen! We carry baggage. Our culture packs those bags, and we haul them in our minds on our journey through life.

We drink from the fountain of culture. We can’t help but observe life, even our faith, through the lens of what we’ve learned and experienced. Most of the world’s values, ideas, and beliefs are contrary to God’s Word and seep into our minds. The only question is the degree to which they influence us. We must take intentional steps to redeem our thoughts and guard our affections so biblical thinking shapes us.

First, pray, “Incline my heart to your testimonies” (Psalm 119:36). Ask God to set your mind apart for His glory through His truth (John 17:17). With all your being seek a daily, thought-renewing change that will crowd out the world’s way of thinking (Romans 12:2).

Allow Scripture to demolish entrenched opinions that war against knowing God (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). It may be difficult, but implore the Spirit to bend your thinking to the truth God is teaching through His Word.

Finally, study Scripture humbly in the context of the church. Read the Bible in community—not to let others determine what you believe, but that together we may challenge our thinking and avoid blind spots that creep in where the culture opposes God.

3. Read the Bible as texts are meant to be read.

Our culture focuses too much on self—what I want, what I need, how I feel—and we try to adjust what the Bible means. Instead of letting the Spirit-inspired writers of Scripture determine meaning, many readers today import their own meaning into its words. The result is “sliding” truth. I may not accept a principle you regard as truth as truth for me. The result is my word about me rather than God’s Word for me.

I’m not saying most Sunday School teachers and small-group leaders buy into this postmodern way of thinking, but culture does influence us. We must recommit ourselves to reading the Bible normally—that is, literally unless considering non-literal language. What the author wrote in his time, using normal principles of language in his day, conveys the meaning intended. Our task is to read, interpret, and apply that message to our own day using language our listeners understand.

4. Doctrine is our friend, so teach it.

Today’s church suffers from a “theology allergy.” Doctrine, many say, is boring, rigid, stifling, and divisive. One youth pastor asked me, “Don’t you think we overplay doctrine when we need more practical, real-life teaching?”

We can’t escape doctrine, and we shouldn’t try. Remember, doctrine is simply teaching. What we teach about the Christian way of thinking and living promotes discipleship and shapes the lives of those we teach.

We should ask and discuss questions such as:

• What is God like? Is He personal? Has He revealed Himself, and if so, how?
  

• What is reality? Is it material? Non-material? Both?
  

• What is the nature of the world around us? Was it designed, or is it random?
  

• What are humans? Do they reflect God’s image? Are they basically good? If not, why not?
  

• What happens when we die? Do we cease to exist, or are Heaven and Hell real?
  

• How is it possible to know anything? Through reason only? Senses only? Is there such a thing as revelation from God?

5. Tackle biblical illiteracy.

“I think that’s in Third Peter.” I hoped my student was joking when he gave that answer on a quiz. Sadly, he wasn’t kidding; he was serious. This incident and others like it remind me that many good, earnest Christians just don’t know what the Bible says.

Don’t assume folks know the familiar Bible stories and characters most Christians once knew by heart…let alone the details. As our culture has moved from word-based to image-driven, the importance of textual details has faded. Thus answers like “Joan of Arc was Noah’s wife” and “Billy Graham preached the Sermon on the Mount” appear frequently on Bible surveys.

In contrast, we know the particulars about Downton Abbey, the NFL draft, or who won an Oscar. While nothing may be wrong with being “up” on happens around us, shouldn’t Christians show the same dedication to immersing ourselves in the absolute truth about life and eternity shared by the God of the universe?

Use these starting points:

• Spend time with who, what, when, where, why, and how of the Bible. It is not superficial to teach Bible facts. Details make all the difference in really grasping a concept. Ask any architect.
  

• Survey the “big picture” of the Bible’s message.
  

• Memorize Scripture. Encourage your students to do the same. When you do, words and principles will come to mind to shape your thoughts and actions.

6. Access what’s online, but be sure it is accurate.

Ah, those “glowing rectangles.” Whatever you think about screens and their role in our lives, there’s no denying they have revolutionized the study and teaching of the Bible. From online sites and software packages to databases and devices to help us access, process, retain, and transmit information, we need to make use of electronic resources and encourage our students to do the same.

Remember these cautions and concerns, though:

• Be careful about accuracy. Go to reputable websites with vetted, authenticated sources. Remember, consensus and relevance do not equal truth.
  

• Surfing the Web can keep you from serious reading. We easily become “scanners” rather than engagers. While deep thinkers post many worthy blogs and articles, others are out-of-balance and inaccurate, posted by critics with axes to grind.
  

• Choose a few excellent resources rather than a host of mediocre ones. Enlist help from others you trust when making your browsing choices.

7. Apply, Apply…Apply.

Connect the dots. Shop at the “app” store. Answer the most vital question your students are asking—So what? Calvin Miller calls application of Scripture “the science of what’s happening now.”

Use these ideas for relevant application:

• Begin by applying the truth of the Bible to yourself.
  

• Be sure the truth you apply stems from the text of Scripture.
  

• Be immersed in life.
  

• Be involved in knowing and loving your students.
  

• Be specific and systematic in how you apply the Bible.
  

• Be dependent on the Holy Spirit, for His is the ultimate application that will change a life.
  

• Be sure you tell your story of how God’s word changed you.
  

• Always leave room for grace to do its work.
  

Intersect: where the Bible meets life is a regular column of ONE Magazine. Dr. Garnett Reid is an Old Testament scholar and long-time college professor. Visit his blog: www.garnettreid.com.