Religious Literacy

I have been reading recently about Religious Literacy. This also brought about the topic of Biblical Literacy. Most of us know what literacy means: the ability to read and write. Cultural Literacy would mean: the ability to discuss, to read, and to write about things in a certain culture. Religious Literacy would mean: the ability to read, discuss, and write about various religions. Biblical Literacy would mean: the ability to read, discuss, and write concerning the entire Bible. These basically come down to how well do you know various Religions or the Bible.

Some people have been inspired by this idea because so few people know the differences between what they believe and what others believe. What is the Difference between a Jew and a Muslim? What is the difference between a Mormon and a Christian? What is the difference between a Methodist and Catholic? What is the Difference between an LCMS Lutheran and an ELCA Lutheran?

It will be difficult for us to discuss all of this in just one article and hopefully I will come back to these idea and help us to see the differences. But the point of this article is to remind you that there are differences. Part of being a Christian is discovering the differences and knowing how to talk to people of different faiths or Religions. When Paul and Silas come to the Bereans in Acts 17, "Now these Jews were more noble than those I Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." Again when Paul goes before the Areopagus he has searched there town to find out that they are a very religious people. "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, 'to the unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you."

We are called to be able to give a defense of our faith at any point in time. But if we do not know what makes us different or why we should even be different we are falling short of St Peter's command. "Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. (1 Peter 2:14b-16)"

Religious Literacy, Christian Literacy, and Biblical Literacy are all things that take time and practice. Part of this also is helping to see Christian images in the world around us. Stories or Movies that show a message of Christ or in some cases Buddha can really help see how this even affects our Cultural Literacy. This is also used to remind us of the role Religions have played in our Wars and times of Peace.

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