I was recently
talking with someone about the lack of biblical literacy that is sometimes
prevalent in our current culture. I'm
somewhat hesitant to admit this, because it sounds more critical than I intend
it to be. The truth is, in addition to
lacking biblical knowledge, most kids entering school are also unfamiliar with
nursery rhymes and campy songs and fairy tales (of the not made into movies
variety). So, to be fair, we have a
literacy problem that spans many genres, but since it's Thursday Theology time
I am going to focus on biblical illiteracy for the moment.
It was not that
long ago that I first recognized this as a problem. I was leading a group of Bible quizzers
through the book of Acts, and when we came to Stephen's speech to the Sanhedrin
(see Acts 7), I went into practice with a renewed sense of excitement, because
I just knew that even the kids who never studied were going to have a
successful evening. The vast majority of
them were kids who had grown up in the church, in Sunday School, walking
through those doors every time they opened for any event at all... heck... walking
through those doors more frequently than my
kids who have the distinct privilege (or curse... or whatever) of having two
theologian parents! It's the history of
Israel. Every church kid has seen it on flannel
graph, ad nauseam, right?
Yeah... they didn't know the stories.
For whatever
reason, I am in a battle with the daily office this week. As I scanned the references, this morning, I
thought to myself, "Oh... it's
going to be one of those days when I re-read about Israel and the stories and
the covenants... again... sigh..." I'm honestly not completely sure what my
problem is, but I know it has something to do with forgetting all of the incredible
things God has done when I should be remembering.
I should be
remembering that God keeps promises. I
should be remembering that God draws near.
I should be remembering that my own identity is rooted in being the
beloved, created Imago Dei. I should be
remembering who God is.
Psalm 105:4, "Look to the Lord and his strength;
seek his face always" (NIV).
I am embarrassed
to admit that I have often looked the wrong way, lately. And so here I am, confidence shaken like it
has rarely been, desperately trying to lift my head and find God's face, taking
a step back to remember that the story is real and somehow... mercifully... I
am still a part of it.
L.
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