| Sunny Side Up April 21, 2004 �2004, Kathleen Gibson Biblical Christianity 101 These columns are usually fairly generic in their faith emphasis. But I want to spend a few weeks exploring some things essentially Christian. My apologies to those of other persuasions. I'll resume my slice-of-life stories soon. Eons ago, I earned a bachelor's degree in the study of Christianity's sacred literature. While it gave me a good base, I'm no theologian, and don't profess to be. My best insights into my faith come from over forty years as a believer, and a lifetime of Biblical study. Living with the Preacher helps too. When asked, "What stripe of Christian are you?" my first answer is always, "I'm a Biblical Christian." Until fairly recently, no further explanation was needed. Not so today. Many who would call themselves 'Christian' are ignorant of the central teachings of the Bible. Christianity is merely their religion of heritage, passed on like their nationality. On forms that ask 'Religion?' they fill the flat black line with 'Christian'. Don't ask them to explain. They couldn't. It's no wonder. The primary methods of passing on the Christian faith are all but lost to us. Church attendance is at a dismal low. Parents who conscientiously live, love, and teach their children the enduring facets of Christian faith are nearly extinct. Sunday Schools, Bible studies, and catechism classes are mere whispers in the ears of a spiritually limping society. The world is smaller than it seemed during our grandparents' days. The religions of the rest of the world have appeared at our front door, smiling. Bringing with them appealing mystery. Room for individualistic spiritual maneuvering. Tolerance, which twenty years ago meant 'We're each free to believe (whatever), and express those beliefs,' today means 'We must acknowledge everyone's beliefs as equally true, lest we offend.' We've learned that lesson well. The results have not been kind to Christianity, (nor to Judaism and Islam, the other two major faiths claiming exclusivity). In contrast narrow and confining, traditional faith has been increasingly tossed aside by many lapsed adherents in favor of 'buffet style' spirituality. Choosing one's beliefs from a sampling of religions seems far more attractive and broad-minded than claiming one's faith has absolute truth. Yet, unwilling to toss the most appealing elements of these faiths, those too have been sliced and diced. Presented on the buffet with other, likewise diluted and convoluted religions; a bizarre tossed salad that defies categorization. Thus, many 'Christians'--some nominal but spiritually hungry; some uncomfortable with traditional teachings--are demanding nutrition on their own terms, increasingly bolstering their vapid belief systems with elements antithetical to genuine Biblical faith. Angel worship, divination, spiritism, traditional Eastern religious beliefs and healing practices, to name a few. Divorced from two wings that anchor the Christian faith-a personal relationship with God, and knowledge of the Bible, they assemble their spirituality from a panoply of world religions, and end up adrift in a vast ocean of spiritual confusion. So what exactly is meant by Biblical Christianity? We'll examine that next week. You can respond to this column at [email protected] |
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