The Bible Questions I Missed—Maybe —Dr. James Henery

A recent website (Huff Post Religion) offered a 25 question bible test. Sorry to share that I only scored 16 out of 25 (speed answers in 1.96 minutes). I got Ishmael mixed up with Isaac, couldn’t remember David’s great-grandmother (Ruth). Trick question about how many wise men showed up in Bethlehem. Flippantly answered about the Little Drummer Boy (but the question was what did they bring to the manger and I picked drum as in the song but of course none of this is mentioned in the gospels). One lousy question was how many gospels (and names) there are and I chose five (including Thomas) which most scholars affirm should have been added. Wrong again. Presidential speeches from the bible? Apparently all the speech choices were biblical.

Most of the questions could probably be classified as trivial, certainly nothing about canon or theological substance or chronology or geography.

Bible knowledge continues to be sort of a mystery to enquiring minds as to when and who wrote what. I am still asked (usually by people whom I do not know) if I have read every book in the bible and before I can answer, the person informs me that s/he has read the bible from cover to cover—at least three times. Excellent I say. Tell me what you learned—and the answers are everywhere.

Two recent books I’ve used in my studies have been a delightful help to discovering some obscure aspects of bible history that I did not know (perhaps having slept through that seminary class or skipped). One was “The Text of the New Testment” (Metzger/Ehrman) and the subject was how Greek usage/syntax changed the text for the first five or so centuries. The other was “Bible Bable”(Swenson) which is part of a class at Virginia Commonwealth University with interesting chapters including translation, God names, culture, flora/fauna.

Just about this time of the year (thanks to graduations) bible publishing catalogues come out with all of the latest products. Bible publishing has changed—not so much about the text but the covers. For example: trees and rivers, clouds, a park, a pier, a barn door, firefighter, police, military camouflage, cowboys, football. Some don’t even have bible on the cover, just a phrase: path to victory, hope for the future, free on the inside, story of God.

Best and oldest bible I use is falling apart, covers are used for page markers, pages torn out and scribbled on, maps out of order. Still 66 books, Genesis to Revelation (but never written or collected in that order) providing lots of questions and ideas that continue to evolve in my thinking about a book whose origins and history are based more on faith and practice rather than answers to a quiz.

And no, I didn’t retake it.

Seeking Responses – Confirmation Questions —Rev. Alice Tewell

Since the beginning of 2012, the 7^th and 8^th graders have been going through confirmation, a year-long process of exploring what they believe and whether they would like to become full members in our church.

The youth started with Confirmation 101, a broad survey on Christianity. Their exploration was based on a series of questions: Who wrote the Bible, God or Humans? Is the Bible true? Why does the Bible contradict itself at times? Why are there so many versions of the Bible? Can it be proven that God exists? How can God be “three in one?” Is the Holy Spirit a person or wind or fire or what?

Around Youth Sunday in March and April, Confirmation 102 focused on worship. We discussed that each of our services is based on one or two scripture passages. The themes and liturgy of the service grow out of the inspiration we receive from scripture.

Right now, we’re in Confirmation 103, covering questions the youth have about why there are so many different religions and why there are so many different Christian denominations. In this unit, they are encouraged to articulate their own questions. They are going up on the “Confirmation board” across from the Heritage Room.

They have posted their questions anonymously. The older and younger youth have been invited to join in. Their questions are powerful:

“How can Jesus be God and God’s son? That would be making Jesus God’s own son!” “Which is right, science or religion? Can only one be right?” “Why does God let bad things happen?” “If God is real, why are there wars, death and destruction?” “Why does it say in the Bible that God is good and pure, but it also says God destroys things?” “Why does Jesus love humans?” “Why do you believe?”

I’m hoping you will answer these questions with what you believe and what has influenced your faith through the years. There are no wrong answers. These are supposed to represent the wideness of belief in our church.

You can participate by emailing me your responses or writing me a letter (I’ll put your responses up anonymously) or by taking a note card and writing your response under the questions posted on the board.

Thank you in advance for supporting our youth!

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