Is the Bible silent on the issues Americans are facing today? Well, according to a recent study, 83% of US evangelicals disagree with that statement—and yet only half (53%) feel prepared for opportunities to share biblical truth regarding hot-button cultural issues.
The study found that:
- 18% are ready for “any” opportunity to share biblical truth,
- 35% claim to be ready for “most” opportunities,
- 32% are only ready to “discuss a few truths [they] know well,”
- 9% aren’t ready for most opportunities,
- 5% aren’t ready for any opportunity,
- And 1% declined to answer.
Together, that means a slight majority are at least somewhat ready to share biblical truth on most topics, 32% are ready for select topics, and 15% aren’t equipped whatsoever. How can churches help improve those numbers? (And I do wonder what answers those who feel equipped would give, given the abysmal rates of biblical worldview among US adults and how compromised so many are on the big issues of our day, but the study didn’t explore that.)
Well, I would argue that first, it starts in homes with parents sharing truth with their children. As I’ve said before (and outlined in my book Will They Stand), it’s the parents’ job (ultimate responsibility) to pass a biblical worldview on to their children. If we want generations who will stand boldly on God’s Word, contend for the faith, and make disciples, we need strong families who are committed to passing a godly legacy to the next generation. Children should be learning how to discuss the issues of our day from a biblical perspective by listening to their parents teach them!
But, of course, as my friend Heidi St. John says, you can’t pass on what you don’t possess. If parents don’t have a biblical worldview, they can’t give one to their children. That’s where the church comes in to disciple and equip parents so they can effectively teach their children. Pastors, how often do you include hot-button culture issues in your sermons? Are you paying attention to the culture so you can equip your congregation as you teach God’s Word or are you avoiding controversial topics for the sake of keeping the peace? I find so many pastors and churches won’t teach on Genesis (or at least won’t do so with any kind of authority) because they are afraid of the pushback from those who compromise God’s Word with man’s ideas, particularly in Genesis. And yet the answers to the cultural issues of our day—the foundation of the biblical worldview, doctrine, the gospel, and, in fact, everything—is Genesis 1–11!
Think about it—how do we deal with LGBTQ? Genesis and God’s created order. Abortion? Genesis and God’s creation of man in his image. Racism? Genesis and God’s creation of only one race and the event at Babel forming the people groups. Climate change? Genesis and the dominion mandate and the account of earth’s history, including a climate-altering global flood. And the list goes on. Well, Genesis 1–11 is the foundation for everything.
If we want Christians with a robust biblical worldview who will boldly speak to the issues of our day, we must boldly and authoritatively preach Genesis from the pulpit!
