Turner Chapel

A Religious Check-Up

The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life did a recent survey on U.S. Religious Knowledge. Here are some questions, see how well you answer them without referring to a Bible or any outside source?

1.  How many books are in the Old Testament?

2.  Which one of Eve’s sons continued the Messianic line?

3.  Who was at the Cross when Jesus died?

4.  How many Gospels are there?

5.  Did Jesus have siblings?

6.  How many books are in the Bible?

7.  Abraham is the father of which religion(s)?

How did you do?

According to the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life’s recent poll on U.S. Religious Knowledge Survey African-American Protestants would answer slightly less than half (3.4%) of the above questions correctly, compared to White evangelicals who would answer more than half (4.3%) correctly; Mormon’s would score the highest having answered 5.0% correctly; whereas Atheists would answer more than half (4.7%) correctly, while Hispanic Catholics answering 1.9% of the above questions correctly.

Sometimes, when polls appear to be less then complimentary - especially towards a specific group, the validity and purpose of the poll becomes questionable and the overall response can be viewed negatively or disregarded all together.

Indeed, there are surveys that may appear to be without cause and yet, there are surveys that are well-founded. There are polls where the questions and answers should cause for us to pause and reflect. The survey conducted by the Pew Forum of Religion is one such poll that should cause Christians to pause and reflect on what we know but more importantly, on what we don’t know regarding the faith we profess to believe, and should motivate us to ask - why?  Why do so many have a lack in Christian knowledge? 

It is God’s edict that we learn, we retain and we teach all that God has done for God’s people. It is God who desires that we become knowledgable of our sacred text.

“See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. Observe them carefully for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” (Deut. 4:5-6, 9 NIV)

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. (Deut. 6:5-8 NLT)

And in his great commission to his disciples, the Rabbi Jesus tells them “...go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20a NIV)

It is God’s desire that we become learners of our faith and to understand with our hearts what we profess to believe, not only for ourselves but to teach others; and to teach others effectively, we must study.

According to the Pew Forum on Religion, the two factors that contribute the most to religious knowledge are 1) Education and 2) Reading Scripture and talking about religion with friends and family.

Studying religion in school helps to gain knowledge of various beliefs and religions, including Christianity; however, unless you desire to study comparative religion or are called to ministry, there is no need to return to school or enroll in seminary. We can do what is written in Deuteronomy 6: 5-8, we can talk about the Word of God when at home, while walking along the road, while we lie down and when we get up. We can do this as a family, through Bible study at church or in a small groups.

The disciples gave up all to live and study under the Master teacher- Jesus. When Jesus called them, they answered without hesitation, they listened, they questioned, they even argued among themselves but most importantly, they learned; not to attain knowledge for themselves but for all future believers.

In order to gain knowledge, we must be willing to give of ourselves and of our time. We must be open to what is taught and to allow ourselves to thirst after God - not for ourselves but for others, for our children and our children’s children. This can be achieved through Bible study, Sunday school, being a part of a small or taking
courses in religious study. And although Sunday church service is important in that it fosters fellowship, collective worship and praise, Bible study helps us to understand the purpose of fellowship, the need for individual worship as well as corporate worship, the purpose of praise and so much more.

When we are confronted with questions about our faith, we should be spiritually mature to answer and or discuss the question. To further explore any questions we should feel comfortable in asking applicable questions. We should be able to offer a response and we must be willing to listen to others’ response. We should learn to dialogue and dialogue to grow into mature Christians. We must study. We must know.

“We [my wording] must do our best as we present ourselves to God as one approved, a good work who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” ( 2 Timothy 2:15)

For further information on the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life article go to:

http://pewforum.org/Other-Beliefs-and-Practices/U-S-Religious-Knowledge-Survey.aspx,

ANSWERS:

1) 39
2) Seth
3) Mary, Mary and the disciple Jesus loved the most  
4) 4
5) Yes
6)  66  
7) Judaism, Christianity, Islam