While we sometimes question the accuracy of polls and surveys, they can often point out important points of interest. For example, recent surveys have shown a disturbing lack of knowledge about the Bible in the general public. Did you know that fewer than half of all adults can name the four gospels. Many professing Christians cannot identify more than two or three of the apostles. 60 percent of Americans can't name even five of the Ten Commandments. 82 percent of Americans believe "God helps those who help themselves" is a Bible verse. 12 percent of adults believe that Joan of Arc was Noah's wife. A survey of graduating high school seniors revealed that over 50 percent thought that Sodom and Gomorrah were husband and wife. A considerable number of respondents to one poll indicated that the Sermon on the Mount was preached by Billy Graham. While any serious Bible student would know the truth about all these issues and perhaps even think these results to be comical, those who fail to see any problem in the state of Bible understanding in our day and time have a serious problem indeed.

God's people have always been destroyed by lack of knowledge, Hos 4:1,6. Where there is lack of God's Word, the people faint, Amo 8:11-13. In ignorance they make the wrong choices.

When they stumble, they do not know where to turn. Without a knowledge of God's Word, a person has no real direction or guidance in life, Psa 119:105.

Churches suffer for lack of teachers; teachers are few for lack of knowledge, Heb 5:12. Our standards of morality are skewed, where good is evil and evil is good, Isa 5:20. We slaughter the innocent (abortion), sparing the guilty. We reward the wicked (movie stars, entertainers), depriving the good (teachers, etc.). Divorce is made easy, adultery looked upon lightly, fornication "an affair, a relationship", homosexuality an alternative lifestyle. Evil (pornography, promiscuity) is allowed to spread in the name of "freedom", ripping families apart. Children are deprived the kind of parenting that is their God-given right. The effect of such things destroy our families and communities and weaken our nation.

Bible ignorance is not inevitable. It is curable through individual Bible reading, frequent in depth Bible study with others, parents accepting their God given responsibility to teach their children, and preachers who fulfill their duty to preach the word.

Don’t let the mistakes of others cost you a home in heaven. The choice is yours.

Send comments or questions to the Clintwood Church of Christ, POB 746, Clintwood, Va. 24228 or E-mail me at bryanwa@ntelos.net Check out our web page at clintwoodchurchofchrist.com