Lost in Faith

7 responses so far ↓

• 1 Eric Haynes // Jun 15, 2007 at 6:12 am

  Do you think though, given that many spiritual seekers and new Christians have little experience in sitting with words of truth found in the Bible, that there should be some sort of “training” (for lack of a better word) on how to understand what they have read? Even the Ethiopian needed some help. I believe in the value of people not being spoonfed regurgitated truth from the Bible, but should instead leap in and read it for themselves and allow God’s Word to speak into their lives; but admittedly, the Bible can also be a difficult text to understand if one has had little experience with it. Coming from a churched background, I know that I can pull out a concordance or a commentary to help me get a better grasp of what is going on or the meaning of a word, but someone who isn’t aware of these resources may get frustrated and give up when they hit passages that make no worldly sense to them.
  I’m not suggesting creating a traditional Bible study structure, but wonder about the occasional (annually maybe) Bible introduction or deciphering workshop.

  Just a thought…Eric

• 2 Roy // Jun 15, 2007 at 9:39 am

  Certainly they need help. That is why we ask them to journal and then journal together so they can see what others ahead of them are hearing from God. That’s why we introduce them to Bible teachers like Larry Crabb, Brennan Manning, Henri Nouwen, Dan Allender and the like so they can see gifted people take a scriptural truth and run it into their lives.

  So if a person is journaling regularly individually and in a group, involved in a community pursuing the 7 Journeys in their lives. Is their more that they need?

• 3 Eric // Jun 15, 2007 at 2:43 pm

  I don’t know…what does the evidence tell us? It seems like people in leadership who are supposedly engaging the Scriptures on a regular basis, engaging in community, and participating in groups keep bringing this issue up on a regular basis. Either they are fooling themselves and attempting to fool the community and not really journaling, etc, or they need some additional tools to help them engage the Scriptures and understand context. And I would never suggest we all need to become biblical scholars (especially if I’m taking an eternal mindset), but if we only approach Scripture from a single perspective and don’t know how to go beyond our existing knowledge, will people be stunted in their spiritual growth? I don’t know…especially given the Spirit’s participation in this process…I guess I’m trying to make sure people are equipped to discover multiple levels of understanding, without letting them become co-dependent upon “bible teachers.”

• 4 Eric // Jun 20, 2007 at 8:06 am

  Came across this during a men’s bible study this morning led by Ken Howard:

  “Passivity specifically concerned with relationships in not engaging the scriptural truths that God has provided in His Word and working them out in every day experiences. Too often, Christians are satisfied to fill up on knowledge and do little about it.

  Christian passivity is extremely detrimental to personal accountability in our living for God. This passivity leads to a lack of personal commitment and a lack of submissive attitude toward God. So many Christians are looking for the “silver bullet” that will turn their lives around to victory. They long to acquire information but there is little apparent change in their life. Many walk away confused as to why this is happening and some even get angry at God for not doing something to change their lives. It is quite apparent that many Christians are waiting for God to do something for them and are not taking responsibility to begin applying His truths to their lives.”

• 5 Sue // Jun 24, 2007 at 11:14 pm

  I completely agree w/ Eric’s comments on this topic. I’ve been reading and journaling consistently for 3+ years and fundamentally lack biblical context (and I am a leader in this community called to assist others w/ their spiritual journeys). While I am exposed to excellent books by knowledgeable authors that enhance my journey, I desire an understanding of the bible (perhaps even at the most basic of levels) that can only help me grow in my relationship w/ Christ by helping me learn more about the character of God (among other things!).

  These are my thoughts exactly…

  or they need some additional tools to help them engage the Scriptures and understand context. And I would never suggest we all need to become biblical scholars (especially if I’m taking an eternal mindset), but if we only approach Scripture from a single perspective and don’t know how to go beyond our existing knowledge, will people be stunted in their spiritual growth?

• 6 Roy // Jun 25, 2007 at 8:37 am

  What does consistently mean?  Everyday?  Several times a week? 

  You are going to have to explain exactly what it is you are missing. What is context? Who has what you are talking about and how did they get it?

• 7 Eric Haynes // Jul 3, 2007 at 7:07 am

  Thought this was an encouraging post:

  http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/703_when_the_bible_is_boring/

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