2 of 2

It doesn't occur to people that when they were children they were indeed taught as a child—spoonfed the oatmeal version. The true depth of faith is likely to be something they've never encountered. When, as adults, they encounter the great world religions, they perceive depth and complexity and treat them with respect. Yet they reflexively think about Christianity like children, because they haven't had a fresh thought about it since childhood.

Otherwise mature people can reject Christianity for silly reasons ("God can't be all-powerful because he didn't make Fluffy get better when she was hit by a car"). These unexamined conclusions act as an inoculation against further thought. Truly educated people would be embarrassed to misquote Shakespeare or Proust as they do the Bible. Perhaps when they were children they put away childish things. Now that they're grownups, they should go back and read the adult version.

Boston Globe's language columnist, Jan Freeman, published a similar article in the December 19, 1999 issue of the newspaper. The article, "Bible Quotes that Miss the Boat," is still online, but you will have topay to read it ($2.95 between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST weekdays, and $1.50 at all other times).

Be sure to also read "The Greatest Story Never Read | Recovering biblical literacy in the church." The article, by Gary M. Burge, appeared in the August 9, 1999 issue of our print magazine.

Visit Frederica Mathewes-Green's Web site at www.frederica.comEarlier "Your World" columns by Frederica Mathewes-Green columns include:

• The Abortion Debate Is Over (Dec. 28, 1999)
• The Thrill of Naughtiness, September 6, 1999
• Escape from Fantasy Island, July 12, 1999
• Men Need Church, Too, May 24, 1999
• My Spice Girl Moment, January 11, 1999
• Moms in the Crossfire, October 26, 1998
• Gagging on Shiny, Happy People, September 7, 1998
• Whatever Happened to Middle-Class Hypocrisy?, July 13, 1998
• I Didn't Mean to be Rude, May 18, 1998
• So I'm Sorry Already, April 6, 1998
• Don't Blame the Publishers!, February 9, 1998

Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

first page |  2 of 2

share this page

February 7 2000, Vol. 44, No. 2