Recently while on vacation, I was worshipping with the Church in Foley, Alabama. The Bible class teacher that morning made a statement similar to this, “Biblical illiteracy plus religion equals superstition” (or BI+R=S for you math-formula type people).
Biblical Illiteracy plus Religion equals Superstition
When I heard this I immediately thought about two passages of scripture:
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.” Hos 4:6
“Then Paul stood in the midst of Mar’s Hill, and said, ‘Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitions.” Acts 17:22 (KJV)
Too many Christians today are Biblically illiterate. I am sorry if that comes across judgmental, but some Christians think some things are in the Bible that are not and that the Bible says some things is does not say. We are full of what I used to call “Bumper Sticker Theology” or “Church Sign Theology,” and now think of as “Social Media Theology.” We base our Bible knowledge on what can be said in 140 characters or less and we have become illiterate concerning God’s Word.
These are Not in the Bible; Change my mind.
- God helps those who help themselves.
- There were three wise men who came to see baby Jesus.
- Adam and Eve sinned by eating an apple.
- Cleanliness is next to godliness.
- Money is the root of evil.
- God will not give you more than you can handle.
- Say a prayer to accept Jesus into your heart.
- God wants me to be happy.
- Everything happens for a reason.
The DANGER of Biblical Illiteracy
- Makes us an easy target for those that want to mislead and take advantage of us.
- Gives Satan an open door to our heart. We fall more easily to temptation.
- Texts taken out of context create false hope and weak faith.
- It keeps us from the wisdom that comes from God.
Fill Your Mind with God’s Word.
Don’t take my word for it. Don’t take anyone’s word for the gospel. Spend time in the Bible, reading and studying for yourself. The only way to know God’s word and not be Biblically illiterate is to read it for yourself. Set aside a few minutes a day – I suggest at lease half-an-hour to read and reflect on God’s Word.
Biblical Illiteracy plus Religion equal Superstition
Don’t be superstitious, be Biblical! Be a Christian!
– Scott
Driving Thought 
Amen, brother. Preach on!!! I don’t know why I allow some of my brothers and sisters to shock me when they quote things NOT in the Bible .I would like to know what Bible version they use!!!
Biblical illiteracy can be frustrating. There are times when I thought I knew something, but discovered I was wrong. I am sure the more I study, the more that will happen.
Great job — thank you brother!
You are welcome. Thank you for your encouragement.
2 Timothy 2:14-15 ESV
Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. [15] Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
A great addition passage. Thanks Hugh!
I am sure I have fallen prey to some of this thoughts and I am sorry to have advanced them as truth, when they are not true. Thanks you for being fort right in telling us about these mistruth. Thank you for being my minister.
We are all guilty. Some of those statements and other like them are truisms, that is they contain truth, but are not Bible.