Why aren't Christians more educated about their religion?

Question

I am not a christian but my hobby is studying religions. I've talked to many a christian who doesn't know the history of their religion.

If I mentioned Gnostics or Mithra most christians eyes glaze over and act like I am making things up. Mention The Council of Nicea and you would think I was speaking a different language.

I've met many a christian who can quote passages of the bible but ask them in depth questions and forget it.

Some seem to think I'm an athiest. I'm not. I believe in God. I guess I'm "spiritual".

Oh and sadly one of those christians who didn't know his history was minister!

Answer 1

As you know it takes lots of time to study these things. Most people feel that Constantine was a Christian, when the truth is he was Baptized on his deathbed and even then only to make sure.

Mention Montanas (spelling?) and his female disciples and you will really see blank stares.

Some Christians know about Polycarp, but even then it is only because many preachers like to preach sermons about him.

Jobs, Wives, husbands, children all are reasons why the Christian does not have time to study these things.

I also like to study modern church history. The charismatics for example are not aware of their rich history or the Asuza Street Mission. God Bless

Answer 2

People are generally lazy, not just Christians.

On the one hand, I know a lot of Christians who know what Gnosticism is as well as the Council of Nicea. However, Mithraism is probably a bit more obscure.

On the other hand, Christians generally view the Bible as more important than history so if they only have time to study one or the other, it would make sense that they would study the Bible more than the history of Christianity and its various sects.

Answer 3

In my experience, most Christian clergy repeat the same stories from the Bible year after year. I attended Christian churches my whole childhood - up until college - and only heard a very limited portion of the Bible. They leave out the scary parts and the parts that need more than 20 minutes to explain. It's a long, connected story, and not just a bunch of random verses perfect for quoting. Many of the quotes you hear sound very different in context. Look them all up, read the entire passage when you hear one. People need to research and think on their own. Unfortunately, we are a lazy people, and most are content being "talked at," trust their clergy to lead them the right way, and don't question what they're missing.

Answer 4

There's a spiritual war going on in the heavens. One of satan's favorite tools is to dumb down the word of God so it becomes less and less relevant.

Today's churches are at best entertainment centers where Christians spend an hour watching skits and hearing a luke warm sermon that avoids any controversy.

Catholics are even worse off. Most are totally clueless about the content of the bible, let alone the hisory behind it. But a dumb (to the bible) Christian is an ineffective Christian and that's what satan is looking for.

Answer 5

The majority of Catholics know the history of the church and the bible, the council of Nicea etc. We are taught not only the bible but also sacred tradition(Jesus's oral teachings to the Apostles) As for Protestants(not all) they do not study the history of Jesus Christ or His church,the bible that they have,etc, they mostly like to bash everything they dont agree with especially the Catholic Church and are strictly bible only Christians.Where in my opinion, they miss out on so much that Jesus taught orally, as did the Apostles.

Answer 6

Many people are too afraid to dig deep, because they are content with what they have and fear that they'll spoil it if they go any deeper. And while that is true for some people, most of the theists I know have become a lot more rooted in their faith and are much happier having looked into their religion.

Also, people aren't all that inclined to learn. A lot of people just go along with the religion in which they were raised, which is not an inherently bad thing as long as one "owns" their religion, and takes a personal interest. Many people are spoon-fed and have no desire to learn more, and there aren't a lot of factors compelling them to learn, or even look deeper.

This is true for all religions, and non-religions too.

Answer 7

You're right, many Christians aren't educated about their beliefs. I ran up against some hard core atheist professors in college and got blown away! I was totally out of my league as far as trying to defend any beliefs I had. So, it was a lesson learned. Lots of the atheists in here seem to be fresh from religion, philosophy, or anthropology class at the university they attend, and i can tell they've also fallen in love with the idea that there is no God, and there are no consequences to be dealt with. But just as the Christian who has no firm foundation in his beliefs is easily carried away, so to the atheist who comes up against the unanswerable questions of life and death and has nothing to anchor themselves to. I've seen it too many times. You can deny it with your last breath, but the day comes for most unbelievers when they are left with an unswerable longing that cannot be quenched, because man was designed for communion with God.

Answer 8

It's a sad fact but a lot of Christians do fail to recognize the history of their beliefs. It plays a very important role in knowing why we believe in what we believe today.

P.S.-I could tell you about the Gnostic's and the Council of Nicea but in all my studies I've never came across "Mithra".

Answer 9

the question should be : "why do non -christians or atheists feel the need to insult christians?"

answer: they are still insecure about their own faith or lack thereof.

As a catholic, knowing the history of the church and its many contoversial theologies such as the gnostics, arianism etc etc, is necessary and taught. for some catholics that is enough. for others they continue to study and it strengthens or weakens their faith. but in the end, God judges them on their faith NOT their knowledge of history.

many non -christians have a problem with christianity , rather than christ, however, they miss the part about how jesus INVITED all people to share in his peace and love and that the idea that despite this wonderful invitation their sin and vice may still exist amongst his followers embodied in the apostle Judas. Ones concerns as a potential follower of christ is to be sure to bounce all experiences off the lord and not his followers alone. we are all fallable, but with faith we can strive for perfection. this is why we still have good christians and bad christians, but one christ he alone is our best example.

Answer 10

Hi Lynda,
I really do not know why many so-called Christians are educated so poorly about Christianity. The Council of Nicea really is of no consequence to me. I feel it is much more important to the Catholics than to me. However, I do read, study, and obey GOD's HOLY WORD. I attend Bible Study mid-week and I attend the LORD's CHURCH on the first day of the week as the first century Christians did. We partake of the LORD's SUPPER and give as we have been prospered on the first day of the week. I do not believe that much knowledge of Gnosticism or Mithra will assist Christians in reaching GOD's Heavenly Place. Have a wonderful week.
Thanks,
Eds



.