Saturday, March 14, 2020

The two big problems

Only 2?

Yes: the two big problems in the Church.

1. Biblical illiteracy, and

2. Theological illiteracy.

My solutions

1. Regular encouragement from the pulpit and in small groups to regular reading of the Bible, with various 'systems' given. Encouraged from youth groups up. Even from kids in Sunday School up.

In the edition of the Good News Bible that I have, there is a set of 'first 100 days' readings, and a system of readings for a year -- not the whole Bible in a year, just a year's worth of passage readings. Both of digestible length. Both of good theological scope.

Every Christian needs to do these.

After that others can follow: reading in slabs, quick reading, devotional reading, reading to study, reading different versions. It's all there.

2. Either in parishes or districts (i.e. regional groups of churches) having book clubs. There could be a number of them to cater for different levels of interest. To help people develop in this area, the clubs could also have members give book reviews.

My own 'quick reading plan' is reading the NT in advent, and the Octoteuch (Genesis to Ruth) from Epiphany to Easter. Thereafter I read at less speed portions of the remainder of the OT and small portions of the NT more thoughtfully.

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