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Note: This essay first appeared in the
September 2008 Baptist Studies Bulletin.
In recent years, much has been made of biblical illiteracy in
America. While
Jay Leno finds the subject amusing, others are
appalled. Yet much less public discussion has focused upon the
lack of scriptural foundations of popular Christianity. For example:
Does the Bible claim to be inerrant?
What does the Bible say concerning the
point at which human life
begins?
What does the Bible say about abortion?
Where does the Bible discuss the Rapture?
Where does the Bible portray America as a
special nation chosen of God?
Does the Bible teach that certain persons
should have more civil rights than others?
Biblically literate individuals will
readily recognize that the Bible is silent on the above questions. Yet
popular Christianity in America today rests squarely on these
non-biblical issues. Fundamentalists (including
99% of Southern Baptist pastors recently surveyed) believe
the Bible is inerrant, although scripture makes no such claim. The
Religious Right is adamant that life begins at conception, although
the Bible offers no such assurance. While abortion is the leading
moral issue for many Christians, the Bible is silent on the subject.
Likewise, belief in the Rapture is considered orthodox by many
Christians, despite its absence in the Bible. And while many
Christians are certain America is a Christian nation set apart by God
and that some citizens should have more civil rights than others, such
views have no biblical merit.
Why is popular Christianity divorced from the Bible on so
many pivotal issues? Rick Warren provides a clue regarding the reason
popular Christianity is trapped in a post-biblical mindset. Addressing
the question of when life begins, prior to August's Saddleback
presidential forum Warren declared, "to
just say 'I don't know' on the most divisive issue in America is not a
clear enough answer for me."
Since when did the current popularity of any given issue
become more important than the biblical witness? Why is Warren afraid
to acknowledge the Bible does not speak to the issue?
Saddleback's pastor is not alone in wanting "clear,"
authoritative answers that the Bible does not supply. One is hard
pressed to find an evangelical Christian who does not believe in a
future Rapture of believers. A politically partisan religious leader
claims that
a presidential candidate's faith is irrelevant as long as he
verbalizes opposition to abortion. Religious Right
figureheads label as religious "core
values" issues not discussed in scripture. In short, it
does not matter what the Bible says. In the post-biblical world of
popular Christianity, something other than holy writ is in the
driver's seat and is steering Christians away from the Bible in order
to shape political positions, reinforce personal opinions, and frame
the future.
If there is a silver-lining in today's post-biblical
Christian world, perhaps it lies in the fact that Christianity in the
past overcame efforts to steer the faith away from the scriptural
witness. The Protestant Reformation, for instance, was a reaction to a
scripture-deprived faith. And Baptists were birthed in opposition to
government-mandated religion.
One must hope that contemporary, popular Christianity will
eventually return to biblical foundations. Yet the post-biblical era
may not end until more Christians are willing to utter the words, "I
don't know." When confronted with biblical silence, Christians can
constructively address extra-scriptural issues by respecting the Bible
while offering informed personal opinions. A statement as simple as,
"While the Bible does not discuss the issue of [fill in the blank], I
personally believe...," could help nudge popular Christianity away
from its post-biblical trajectory. An acknowledgement of biblical
silence coupled with an appreciation of the larger ethos of Jesus'
teachings could help believers positively impact public discussions on
complex ethical and moral issues. And what better time to honor
scripture and engage in truth-telling than during an election year in
which honesty is too often neglected in favor of political pandering. |
