Biblical Illiteracy & Training Union

There is an interesting feature in the latest Baptist Standard concerning religious education, or perhaps the lack of it in Baptist churches. Some of the salient quotes:

• "People already are biblically illiterate. It's scary what they don't know, and I'm afraid it will only get worse" [Dennis Parrott, minister of education].
• "There's been a decline in emphasis on religious education in churches" [Budd Smith, B.H. Carroll Institute]. Smith goes on to say, "It's no fault of any particular church or group, but the focus now is on worship. In the meantime, there's been a movement away from education."

Smith traces the de-emphasis in religious education and decline in biblical illiteracy among Baptists to the demise of what was known as Traning Union [Discipleship Training when I became a Christian]. I would agree. Almost all the biblical/doctrinal/practical training I received as a young believer was at 5:00pm on Sunday nights during the time set aside for Discipleship Training. It was during that time I learned the basic doctrines of the church, how to read my Bible, how to pray, the need to tithe and serve using my spiritual gifts. It was during that time I learned how give the "weekly devotion," a prelude to my preaching ministry.

I attribute the development of my basic convictions to religious education, given by my church during the Discipleship Training hour. It's a shame that our emphasis upon worship and "personal experience" have placed religious education on the back-burner.

There is a real hunger among believers today for in-depth biblical teaching. I would urge pastors and religious educators to make sure that hunger is met. While people do respond to the topical classes that deal with "felt need," I truly think most believers still want a firm foundation.