I am excited about a new project that we’re launching to combat the rising tide of Biblical Illiteracy, we’re calling it “One Day Seminary” at the Church of Champions.
In a recent report released by the Barna Group and the American Bible Society, the latest statistics suggest that over 81% of U.S. adults said they consider themselves highly, moderately or somewhat knowledgeable about the Bible. Yet, less than 43% were able to name the first five books of the Bible.
Today, students do not know that Saul in the New Testament is a different person than King Saul in the Old Testament. Many people today are also confused about Joshua the son of Nun. They are unaware that Nun was actually the name of his father and not a member of a Catholic community of women.
Biblical literacy in America is in free-fall and much of it is due to how Americans view the Bible. Today, many American’s 
don’t consider the Bible to be authoritative. James, the brother of Jesus and first century church leader wrote: “Therefore, to one who knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin.” James 4:17. Neglecting to read the most precious of all books, God’s Word, is sin!
Lillian Kwon, a respected columnist and news reporter wrote that the reason Americans are witnessing such huge declines in Biblical literacy include: self-reliance (not believing that there should be any authorities outside of ourselves); distractions (other people’s opinions on Christianity and the Bible on Social Media), and unwarranted overconfidence (the sense that we know a lot about the Bible because we grow up in church) and, being too busy.
At the Church of Champions, we are leveraging our efforts to educate and instruct, to inform and disciple true followers of Jesus Christ. God declared by the mouth of Hosea the prophet, that His people “go into exile (captivity) for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). He also said that, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge and their honorable men are famished and their multitudes are parched with thirst” (Isaiah 5:13).
One Day Seminary will be held on Saturday November 14, 2015. More information coming soon.
Blessings,
Pastor Hutchins
4 Comments. Leave new
Pastor, I totally agree with you that most, people are illiterate when it comes to the bible, I count myself as one of them, but I do reach out for teaching from intelligent people like you. A lot of stuff I don’t understand what they are talking about in the bible and I tend to forget a lot of it easily. Thanks for helping us in that area. I have been Baptist since 1987 until now, most of those years under the leadership of pastor James Dixon. The last few years I have been visiting Fallbrook church, until the lord led me here. I love your teaching also and I am learning a lot. I pray and thank God for being able to hear you preach. Keep up the good work. By the way Malcolm was the one who invited me here.
June, I am so excited to receive this praise report. You are such a blessing to me. You will love One Day Seminary. It’s going to be tailored for the student who is serious about delving deeper into the Text. We want to create a new hunger for the Word from the Ancient of Days, until we become “People of The Book!” Be on the lookout for more details, we’ll get them to you as soon as possible. For now, please block out the date and get ready…. 🙂
I was a first time visitor at your Church today, and was astonished at how welcome and peaceful I felt. It was a breath of fresh air after becoming, literally scared of the Church setting, but I prayed for God to lead me and my three children today and he did, straight to the doors of the Church of Champions. The welcome team was awesome. Worship and the word was indescribably amazing. I will be coming back, and getting plug in to join this awesome family/community, and love the mission of the “One Day Seminary” in which I will be delightfully attending. I thank God for you and your Church for all your doing and your obedience, and unwaverness to speak and preach the true word of God. God bless you, and I’m looking forward to reading your blog!
Richarda,
Blessings to you! I am so sorry to be so late in responding to this message. I just saw it and wanted to respond immediately.
I am so happy to hear this incredible praise report. We would love to see you. Please come up and meet me if I don’t get the opportunity to meet you first. Blessings to you and yours in Jesus Name!