Mar 8, 2020
Whaddya Know?
3-9-20
A recent poll of American citizens revealed surprising percentages of correct answers about basic American civics, as high schools used to call courses in the essentials of government when they taught such things. The results might surprise you:
70 per cent did not know that the Constitution was the supreme law of the land;
44 per cent were unable to define the Bill of Rights;
8 per cent could enumerate the Bill of Rights;
36 per cent did not know how many Supreme Court justices there are;
41 per cent did not know the countries the US fought in World War II;
38 per cent knew how many Representatives and Senators sat in the houses of Congress;
34 per cent knew the lengths of terms of Congressmen and Senators;
… and so forth. I had a high school history teacher who once said, “Statistics don’t lie, but statisticians do.” That might have been the only things really remembered from the year in his class, but he was, mostly, a nitwit. Anyway, this survey might be “off”… but surely not by much. Civics courses on the schedule do not guarantee students being educated in civics.
In a democracy we are supposed to school ourselves, embrace our heritage, protect our freedoms, and advance our liberties. On our own. Even in a constitutional republic – which the United States is; not a democracy, although it leeches into our system – citizens should want to be informed about our “basics,” and not only for final exams, grumble grumble. By the way, citizenship tests for legal immigrants ask the questions above; and applicants, new citizens, know the answers. Hmmm, maybe we should be required to re-apply for citizenship every five or 10 years…
Ask yourself the following questions. And – no snap quiz here – how many basic questions about the Bible, basic questions about the bedrock of Christian doctrine, can you, or friends, answer?
The books of the Bible? The 10 Commandments, in order? The (basic) lineage of Jesus, through Mary and Joseph? The prophesies of the Redeemer? Typology of Salvation and the Savior? The Beatitudes? The nine spiritual gifts? The acts of the Apostles and early-church martyrs? The seven churches of Revelation?
… And what, exactly, we need to do in order to be saved?
When I was young – even now, and I am not young – I could recite the American Dental Association’s endorsement of Crest toothpaste. It is, pun intended, a mouthful, yet I know every word of it. Had I intended to memorize it? No, but as I watched uncountable commercials that once quoted it… it hid itself in my heart. Recently, over dinner, I found that I could repeat the My Pillow pitches of Mike Lindell. And the old guy needing a hearing aid and his son’s love. And those poor little kids in special-needs hospitals. I know all their scripts, and can imitate their voices.
What is wrong in a society where citizens, and “Christians,” do not know the tenets of their citizenship and their faith, yet know by heart things like commercials and pop music lyrics? That is a question we can answer – a lot is wrong.
Contemporary church services are too often entertainment concerts. Church youth programs are too often desperate alternatives for potentially wayward teens. Sunday Schools are too often play dates. Not all – of course – but these are tendencies of the contemporary church. People more in love with the music than with (as Joe Biden recently said), “you know, that Thing.”
God knows I am not a fan of intolerance and the old religious wars, yet I do know why disputes arose – the desire to understand Scripture – and knowledge informs our own views. Roman Catholicism and Lutheranism and Presbyterianism and Methodism and Pentecostalism emerged from cherished views of theologians and followers. Today (again: not all, but many) members of denominations do not know the differences between them, or if they have strayed from the Bible. And worshipers’ ignorance can be partly forgiven because their pulpits do not preach the great truths nor the practical distinctions any more. Political correctness, “acceptance” of sinful differences among us, a relativist view of god, whoever he or she really is.
A lot of our church-going neighbors (whose numbers shrink every year) wind up repeating the things they hear, too, by osmosis – learning those heresies by heart. Creeds? The Lord’s Prayer? Endangered species in a lot of churches.
These abominations are rife these days… but are not new. Throughout history, people have gone astray and become lovers of selves, and with “itching ears,” not merely willing but hungry for lies by which to live. In the past, when humankind sinned, God dealt severely. And when His own people turn their backs, He chastises them – with the justice they deserve.
Jesus Himself prophesied, Peoples’ foes shall be those of their own households (Matt 10:36). Don’t blame others; we must blame ourselves.
God chastises those whom He loves. He loves us. Like the old guy in the hearing-aid commercial, pray to God: “I heard you the first time. I just wanted to hear it again!”
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Greetings, Rick! It has been a while since I have commented here, but I thank you, once again for your words which ask us to look at ourselves and our common society through the lens of orthodox Biblical faith/understanding. I appreciate you! You ask us to deeply consider, and, ultimately, to act.
It seems to me, that the fundamental answer for our current woes, and one which I believe that you have called for here, is a pure revival in each of us who already understand ourselves to be Christians.
When I first became a Christian in the 1970’s, the Scripture I saw most often published was that of II Chronicles 7:14 – “If… My people, who are called by My Name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” The Lord did a marvelous work through the so-called Jesus Movement, but our society, as a whole, has grown ever worse. BUT, the truth that, “where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,” remains at work in the world, even now, because of the righteousness of Christ and His amazing and unmerited love for us. Thank you, thank you, Jesus!
I am beginning to see the II Chronicles Scripture published again, here and there, and I am also beginning to hear a repeated cry of, “Revival!” through various persons and ministries – first, and for more than one year now, through one of the worship leaders at my church, whose heart is burdened/inspired by this need. I just heard it again in a message preached earlier this week in another, “unrelated”, so to speak, church in another county. Revival! Asking the Lord to give us at least one more great move of His Holy Spirit before He returns. There is so much that He would do in the world, and do through us too, if we would only earnestly ask Him.
May the Lord pour out His Spirit, reviving us in the newness of life in Him, and moving out from us across our land, and across the world, as He wills.
I am praying for the Lord to do this work in me. Give me this passion for revival Lord! Fill me with Your Spirit! Do this work of revival in me! Amen!
Thank you, Susan! Amen to all! You might suspect that today’s message reveals something that I have been wrestling with — not a coincidence that a lot of “us” have been! — and am trying to develop further. I am, frankly, disheartened at the downward drift of society. We know Who will win at the end, and on Whose side we will be, but I hope I am not being disrespectful when I say that I feel like a hopeless observer of a race between Sin and Grace these days. Souls are in the balance.
To me (and this will be the core of a message) we need better to look at the larger context of the familiar “If my people…” passage. And Susan, I think the most important word in all of it is the first word: IF.
God CAN send revival. How often has He done so, however, without people not only seeking but DOING?
Thank you for your response! God bless you.