In “Go and Make Learners” (published online as “The Great Omission”), Jen Wilkin wrote in our January/February issue, “We have forgotten that discipleship requires learning. We have reduced its definition to attendance, service, giving, relationship-building, and mostly peer-led, feelings-level discussions. But at its most fundamental level, discipleship is a process of learning.” She argued we must not neglect biblical literacy in the life of a Christian: “Let’s not be content with converts who don’t grow to maturity.”
Wilkin named this a crisis of biblical literacy, and readers resonated with her diagnosis. One commenter on Facebook said, “We think we know the Bible because we’ve inherited summaries of it. But when Scripture challenges our assumptions about power, ownership, or gender, we often smooth it over rather than read it closely.” Another reader commented that we also need “theological frameworks,” not just Bible trivia, to understand Scripture.
The interest from pastors and laypeople alike led CT to continue the conversation. A few weeks after the print magazine mailed, Wilkin joined editor at large Russell Moore for a subscriber-only webinar with more than 1,400 live attendees. They addressed big-picture questions about small groups and biblical learning, alongside practical questions such as: Should churches have single-sex Bible studies grouped by men and women? How do you promote biblical literacy in lower-income areas? And how do you deal with a prolonged silence during a question you’re asking when leading a Bible study? If you’d like to hear Wilkin’s answers, be sure to listen to a replay of The Russell Moore Show and, in the future, stay tuned for upcoming subscriber-only conversations.
Ashley Hales, editorial director, features
Disciplines Don’t Save. Christ Does.
I respect Michael Horton, but I think some of the points Horton makes are unfair and broad and do not reflect the scope of the teachings of Practicing the Way or in Comer’s writings. Horton claims that Comer (and others) equates discipleship with the gospel, and that they claim that the practices are salvific. This would be a serious issue if it were true, but I have not come across anything in the materials by Practicing the Way that shows they claim this, even implicitly. Comer emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is the source of our transformation in his book.
Rachel Gulleson, Bellingham, WA
Having just completed the Practicing the Way curriculum and seeing how God is using it in my life and in the lives of those within our church, I was saddened and upset to read the article that you published. While it might be helpful as a critique to some of John Mark Comer’s teachings to remind readers of the importance of not neglecting the aspects that Horton felt were lacking, his article dripped of judgment that I believe misrepresented the PTW curriculum. I don’t know if Michael Horton has been in his academic ivory tower for too long, but he clearly does not understand where the mainline church is right now and how desperately we need to have tools to equip people who call themselves Christians to use the means of grace.
Margaret Schlechty, Springfield, VA
The Great Omission
The thrust behind Wilkin’s argument is great: Christians should know their Bible and cultivate a deep knowledge of it. But the way her argument proceeds is misguided. What troubles me is Wilkin’s understanding of what constitutes “basic information” about the Bible, its correlation to theological anemia, and the residual effect this relationship leaves on the weary. I fear the effect of her argument is that struggling Christians will walk away feeling they need to know more Bible trivia.
Elijah McClanahan, Louisville, KY
I think Jen Wilkin is spot on! Biblical literacy is waning in both mainline and conservative church pews. Pastors can only do so much teaching from the pulpit. Gone are the days when church Bible classes could actually give out homework and learners were actually asked to memorize Bible passages and characters.
David Coffin, West Union, IA
Raids Are a Perilous Substitute for Reform
No disagreeing with that title. I thought the article represented the open-borders “walk in and stay” perspective, which is fine, but there was no balancing article, like in the old days when Sider and Dobson were in print back to back. Not a good look for a publication hoping to be an evangelical forum.
Rob Swanson, Centerville, MA
Andy Olsen’s article goes to the heart of the depravity of ICE’s operations. While securing our border is a must, Scripture demands justice and grace be given to every immigrant.
James Hilt, Sheboygan, WI
A Declaration of Principles
Each statement is clear, biblically defensible, and crafted in a way that both upholds historic Christian teaching and considers the “big tent” nature (a blessing and a burden!) of evangelicalism at large and CT’s readership/mission specifically. That’s no easy task. CT’s stuff regularly edifies my personal walk with the Lord and benefits my work as a pastor.
Brady Cremeens, Minier, IL
I read your statement with optimism, but guarded optimism. CT has done some mighty fine work in the past, but CT became too political for me to continue as a subscriber. Russell Moore is an important voice absent the politics. We continue to listen to some podcasts because of the great work of Mike Cosper.
Steve Hawkins, Bristol, TN
This article appeared in the May/June 2026 issue of Christianity Today as "Responses to Our January/February Issue".
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