One of Our Vows

 Most of us are convinced that our kids need to attend Sunday School, or more recently Christian formation.  After all we went when we we kids.  Some of us attended with our parents, while others were dropped off by parents who cared about us learning Bible stories. And most of us really enjoyed the experience.

Now here's the interesting part: most of us adults are apparently convinced we learned every thing we needed to know about our faith as kids. I say that based on the very small percentage of parishioners who actually attend adult formation programs. It's not just a St. Mary's matter, it's commonplace in Christianity. Even those Christian groups who are highest in percentage of attendance, such as Baptists, also have a relatively small percentage of members who are involved, though higher than the more "liberal" groups.

Let me suggest that perhaps we need to rethink this practice of education avoidance for several reasons. First, surveys indicate Christians are woefully unknowledgeable about the book that informs us about our faith, the Bible. Evidence? When was the Old Testament written? Thirty-nine percent thought it was after Jesus was born. Who was Joan of Arc? Why Noah's wife, of course.  Only 45% could name the Gospels in order. 

More evidence? The widespread reaction to Dan Brown’s book The DaVinci Code was for Christians to be unsettled about his “facts.”  These “facts,” such as Jesus being married to Mary Magdalene and fathering a child, the Emperor Constantine deciding what books would be in the Bible, and the divinity of Jesus being decided by a majority vote a the Council of Nicea, are all historically unfounded.  But people couldn’t’ refute what they were reading because they had no historical or Biblical background to do so.  That, plus they forgot Dan was writing a NOVEL, and not history.

My second reason has to do with vows we take. Our Baptismal Covenant contains this question: “Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.”  We, of course, say we will One may easily understand that “continue in the apostles’ teaching,” basically means “continue to learn all I can of God in Christ.”  Following the actual baptism itself, the people all respond by saying, “We receive you into the household of God.  Confess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, and share with us in his eternal priesthood.”  Now, I’m going to admit, the interpretation that follows is a little bit of a stretch.  But to effectively do these things, to be “priests,” we need to be knowledgeable about the faith.  And you don’t get that from sermons or prayer, as useful as they are.  It comes through study.

So, we’ve made a vow or two that seem to point toward diligence in learning more about our faith.  Christian formation is the place that happens.  Think it over and consider trying to be there just an hour earlier each Sunday to learn and grow.  You may be very surprised by what you learn and how much you come to enjoy that hour.

Peace, Jerry