Mind Training

[Blackhawk]

One of the ways in which we are to love God is with our minds. We are supposed to be able to understand theology and doctrines and also develop a Christian worldview. Many think that today the church is not very intellectual and that has caused us to lose our saltiness. Do you think that this is in fact a problem? In what ways does your church or denomination help you develop your mind? (Sundayschool, Small groups, confirmation) Do you think that these tatics are effective or would you like to see more of an influence on developing the mind in your church?What kind of tatics would you like to see?

 

[AngelAmidala]

I'm not sure exactly what I would like to see.

But when I started working with the confirmation class it kinda was strange to me that they really had no clue about who John Wesley was (the founder of Methodism) or a grasp of the days in Holy Week, what Lent was all about, what Advent was all about, etc.

And to me, I thought these things were fundamental things to learn in Sunday School...especially like the Church days (Advent, Lent, Holy Week). I mean, maybe it's because I always grew up with this stuff between my parents and grandparents.

I think maybe some sort of small group thing would work. The kids in confirmation class learned a lot...but now that it's over, I hope they don't forget what they learned and that they don't stop learning. Like maybe a youth group situation where once a month or something instead of a fun activity a serious Bible study or other study is held.

Just some thoughts...

 

[LouisBooth]

I would say small discussion groups are great! The thing is that most teachers in the church do not disciple people anymore like they should. This involves teaching the deep issues to people, not just giving them a book to read. It involves putting time into the relationship in a teacher student type of way.

 

[Blessed-one]

bible study would be pretty good, for most christians don't know much about the bible. Recently a survey was done in my church, it showed a lack of familiarity with the first and last few books of the OT and the last few books (James onward) of the NW.

groups for sharing experiences regarding interactions with the world as a Christian would help too, but it's not as popular (mostly in fellowship setting).

 

[debs]

the original question here seems concerned with knowledge and how much we know. I thinking loving God with our mind goes beyond intellect.
Loving God with my mind to me means allowing him access to it, to rule and have control. Otherwise christians without these resources/education would be unable to love God as fully as the educated...

 

[LouisBooth]

a good point. Although, we are commanded by God to medatate on the word (ie study) because to give an account (ie more study) and through the word know him (ie even more study).

 

[debs]

Hi, I think were all heading along the same path here anyway. In the ancient times, there was no written word so they transfered Gods word verbally, or perhaps through mentoring (parents, prophets etc) its now that we have it so freely available that we study it in a written sencemaybe too much that way? I dont know) its all going to the same place anyway: to knowing God. Yay!!

 

[pax]

The Catholic Church has given me MORE than enough to intelectually enrich myself. There's everything from the writings of the early fathers, the scriptures, Papal encyclicals, the Catechism, and more. I have never felt a lack of interesting subjects to learn about or study whether it's Canon Law, Liturgy, Moral Theology, anything.

 

[Blackhawk]

Yeah I am not saying it is not out there. What you cited is great. But does the church really teach this anymore? Most churches are more about feelings and "pratical" things than with helping us develop a world view.

I have heard many CAthlics say that they never knew the Bible because it was never taught in the church. now I am not coming down on Catholics but this is true and is true of many denominations. Yes we do many devotionals and talk about "loving God" (at least the feely kind of love) but we do not do much to encourage the regular church goer to study the Bible.

blackhawk

 

[pax]

Sadly, knowledge of the Bible is limited among most Catholics today. I'm not sure of the reason for this. Today, however, many people have been going to great lengths to encourage the laity to study the bible more. Personally, I feel the CCC is one of the more "practical" things mentioned above. It contains all the basic articles of faith along with a sections devoted to prayer, the commandments, etc.... The only thing offered at my Parish is CCD (1st - 11th grades) and in our deanery there is an RCIA program.

 

[Caedmon]

I attend a Southern Baptist church, and I have to be brutally honest. The Sunday School classes that I have gone to have been pathetic. The Sunday School booklet used has somewhat of a theme for each lesson, but it contains only one central selection of Scripture, always less than half of a chapter. Basically, the lesson states 2-3 lines of the Scripture, makes a few generalized, dumbed down, supposedly witty, statements, and moves on to state the next 2-3 lines, until the segment of Scripture is finished. On top of this, the Bible translation used is NIV or equivalent, which is another dumbed-down far cry from accuracy and real study-worthy text. And if that's not enough, when I go in, noone has a Bible with them except me, noone even has a Sunday School book(and doesn't request one to look at), and there are NO central truths or doctrines taught, only a superficial, ambiguous, panacea and poor excuse of a charge-me-up-for-the-week pill. I am left disgusted and despondent. IMHO, there is no truth taught at all, just a vain chasing of wind. It is incredibly exasperating.

Secondly, there is virtually no help for those that are in pain. There is not enough closeness in the group where any hurts or needs could be suggested, merely a superficial, short, generalized query for(nonserious) prayer requests at the beginning of the meeting. Again, there is no worth in it.

And this is not just one church, this is many. Don't say all I have to do is change churches, and everything will be happy-go-lucky. This is a nationwide epidemic, and I am going insane. Now I say, thank you ladies and gentlemen for your time, I shall now turn the discussion back over to the ever magnanimous Blackhawk. Good day to you.

 

[pax]

Our CCD class (at least this year) has a textbook that teaches us very little. It's supposed to take you through the Bible and explain the basic elements of scripture. The only problem is the lessons don't contain a lot of information to the scriptures (there are references, but we don't usually read them for various reasons), basically they tell us stories and take excerpts from plays (which they had to dumb down because they thought the text from the actual thing was to complex ). Our class still has yet to learn the basic elements taught in the catechism (which our textbooks last year did an excellent job of starting, but we never finished the series and I'm sure most have forgotten). Our religious education curriculum needs a serious revamping (at least in the upper grades).

 

[Blackhawk]

"Today, however, many people have been going to great lengths to encourage the laity to study the bible more."

Yes I see it in Protestant circles also. I think people are finally waking up to the epidemic.

"Our religious education curriculum needs a serious revamping (at least in the upper grades)."

I am sorry to hear of your CCD class. It is much like the Sunday school I attend. A lot of fluff not much real substance. And I feel that you are right. We, as a whole universal church, need to revamp how we teach the Truths of God. Emotions and pratical teachings are not bad but so much of it makes an uniformed church. And that is what we have today.

Blackhawk

 

[Blackhawk]

humblejoe,

I am also a Southern Baptist. And my Sunday school is okay. WEll it wasn't until we threw away the books that they give us to use for the lesons. They go over books of the Bible but they are so bad we had to get rid of them. Now we take the book that they choose but Go over it ourselves. Right now we are in Ephesians which is awesome.

But I digress. But basically all the SBC churches I have gone to have been very lacking in the intellectual side of things. You are right when you say this is a nation wide epidemic. I think it might even go farther than that.

Just take a look at this site. I have seen so much bad theology on this site I feel I want ot spit. And I am not speaking of differences between preterists and futurists or Calvinists and Arminians or Catholics and Protestants.
I am speaking of things like the last post i saw before replying in here. It said that everyone is a "Child of God." And this was from a Christian. And there are other examples I could give but I won't.

Okay I have ranted some. I feel better.

blackhawk

 

[franklin]

Originally posted by Blackhawk
Just take a look at this site. I have seen so much bad theology on this site I feel I want ot spit. And I am not speaking of differences between preterists and futurists or Calvinists and Arminians or Catholics and Protestants.
blackhawk

Well Hawk, not everyone is as perfect as you...

...and not everyone is an expert Theologian like you are!

 

[Blackhawk]

Franklin,

that is not what I am saying. But if I said I was a scientist but did not know the basics of my field of study then I would not be a very good scientist. We all need to know our basics so that we can fully love God more. It is our responsibility to know the basic doctrines and theology of Christianity. It is not optional.

BH

 

[franklin]

Originally posted by Blackhawk
Franklin,

that is not what I am saying. But if I said I was a scientist but did not know the basics of my field of study then I would not be a very good scientist. We all need to know our basics so that we can fully love God more. It is our responsibility to know the basic doctrines and theology of Christianity. It is not optional.
BH

Hawk, I know brother, I was just having some fun with ya...
My wife does the same thing to me when I get on my soapbox!
No offence bro, I agree with what your saying and I have no doubts that you are a true brother of the faith even though we disagree on a few things....BTW, I'm in a Baptist denom also & I agree with you about some of their material... it is mostly dispensationalistic teaching which I hope will change in the near future....
Grace and peace,
Franklin

 

[Blackhawk]

Okay. We are cool.

Sorry I was so touchy. I think I was in the general apologetics area too long. There they argue about what they are arguing about. Heck I think in one thread alone we have like 20 different arguments.


blackhawk

"...even though we disagree on a few things..."

Oh so you are one of those that do not know their theology that well.

 

[franklin]

Originally posted by Blackhawk
Okay. We are cool.
Sorry I was so touchy. I think I was in the general apologetics area too long. There they argue about what they are arguing about. Heck I think in one thread alone we have like 20 different arguments.
blackhawk
"...even though we disagree on a few things..."
Oh so you are one of those that do not know their theology that well.

ha! good one Hawk, I'm always learning new truths too...
I've sent you some replies you posted on the Trinity, remember? I know that is what you believe and that's fine but I have believed it was what the bible was teaching all along too but now I believe differently about that doctrine. I look forward to chattin with you more soon..
God Bless,
Franklin

 

[Blackhawk]

Gosh I can't remember all the little people who can't understand why I am always right.

All kidding aside I hope I do get to debate with you again soon. My staff stuff keeps me way too busy for too long to get really into the Christian debates like I would like to do.

But there are perks to being a staff member. I think?