Chalke Talk 9: The way we use the Bible drives down church attendance

The way we interpret the Bible is driving down church attendance, says Steve in this week’s ‘Chalke Talk.’

Off the back of new figures which show that the Church of England has lost two-thirds of its members in the last three decades, we need to ask questions about what it is that pushes people away.  Perhaps some initially embrace church and faith with enthusiasm but are put off when they see the Bible used as opposition to the use of condoms, the teaching of evolutionary biology, people of other faiths, human rights, women’s rights and gay rights.

Furthermore, new Christians are often advised to go and read the Bible from beginning to end, but churches rarely teach on the difficult passages such as God seemingly ordering Moses to commit murder.  How can this be reconciled with the words of a loving God?

Steve argues that only when we apply good principles of Biblical interpretation can we reverse these depressing trends in church attendance.

Do you agree?

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