We’re in a “Reverse Reformation”

The invention of the printing press by Gutenberg in 1436 was as revolutionary then as the internet is today. But books were still scarce and expensive and therefore unavailable to the masses.

Then, 70 years after its invention, Luther nailed his 95 Theses on a Wittenberg church door and the protestant reformation began.

Soon copies of his 95 Theses and other short writings were being printed by the tens of thousands, inexpensively and the ideas in them went viral! People had an insatiable appetite to read, or to be read to. Literacy exploded as people desperately wanted to read these new ideas. People became better informed, thoughtful and more spiritual. They gathered in groups to discuss these ideas and it changed the world for the better. It changed Christianity.

But today we're in a "reverse reformation!"

Here's why I believe that; What's a reverse reformation? While today we do have more information, good reliable, solidly biblical information is being crowded out by junk theology mixed with opinion, culture and politics so we’re actually being less informed by what is right, true and noble.

Bookstores are closing daily. People are reading fewer Christian books. Millennials get the vast majority of their information from YouTube, short blogs, podcasts, or in 140 characters or less. Just 20 years ago when I had to fly somewhere almost everyone on the plane was reading something. The last time I flew, I noticed that almost no one was reading a book. Everyone was scrolling through videos, checking Facebook or Instagram, or listening to music.

The so what? Who cares?

When people write books, it's "Darwinian." By that I mean, generally only worthy books get published. A published book gets passed through many editors and fact checkers. Grammar, spelling and well-written sentences not only inform, but they teach readers how to organize their thoughts in cogent, rational sentences. In fact, reading itself becomes a lesson in rational thought and how to understand and communicate ideas that have context and importance.

However anyone can post a video, a podcast, or blog with absolutely no filters to sort out truth from fiction and often in grammar that sounds like a third grader wrote it. I’ve noticed someone can post a well thought out blog and have maybe a dozen people comment. But it they post a photo of their dog, a grandchild, or humorous video a few hundred people read, or comment. Neil Postman was right when 40 years ago he wrote the prophetic book, “Amusing Ourselves To Death.”

How is this affecting Christianity?

My father quit school at the 10th grade. Nevertheless, he could still intelligently discuss serious theological and spiritual ideas because he was a reader of books and newspapers, not snippets of ideas, but fully thought out ideas edited by thoughtful, serious writers. And he gathered weekly with men at our church to discuss these important ideas. They weren’t reading books on parenting, how to find purpose in your life, or money management. They were books about God, theology and holiness.

I am shocked at how poorly read many of the 20- to 30-something men I meet with are. We are becoming less literate and less informed on ideas that have stood the test of time. Which is why many younger Christians are falling prey to teachers and pastors who are saying what their "itching ears" want to hear, with very little discernment.

The Solution?

Buy thoughtful books or find thoughtful blogs. Give them to your children or grandchildren or to a person you mentor. Meet and discuss the ideas expressed in them. Try to raise the bar of Christian thought. Teach them to ask thoughtful questions. Encourage them to question what is coming at them in tweets and videos. Teach them to be informed and discerning citizens of the kingdom of God on earth.

I am currently leading a weekly ZOOM discussion group with four of our granddaughter's friends at the University of Kentucky. We're literally discussing Calvinism, Arminianism, Catholicism, election, predestination, infant and adult baptism. They didn't ask to study these topics because some weren't even aware many of these topics even existed! They originally asked me to lead a Bible study. And we'll get to that in a few weeks. But first I wanted to introduce them to a theological framework so they could better understand why some Christians believe ideas in the Bible that other Christians do not. Each week I send them short articles or papers to trigger their questions for the next week. I'm sure some of what I'm teaching is going in one ear and out the other. But hopefully some of it sticks.

If spiritually mature adults do not champion reading and the discussion of deeper questions of the Christian faith, the reformation begun 400 years ago will slowly grind into a new "dark ages," drowned out by Instagrams of selfies and friends on a beach.

And if it's been more than a few weeks since you've read a good book – start with yourself. If you're not sure where to begin, ask your pastor. The Divine Conspiracy, by Dallas Willard, Engaging God’s World by Cornelius Plantinga, or almost anything by Tim Keller has theological teeth. I'm trying to be an informed grandfather and elder these days on the most important social issue facing the church today, homosexuality. My favorite book on the subject is People to be Loved by Preston Sprinkle. Get a book, get informed.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2