Philip Anthony Mitchell, pastor of one of the fastest-growing churches in the United States, is warning that biblical illiteracy has helped create a generation of Christians attracted to spirituality but increasingly disconnected from Scripture.
"What we see right now is a love for spirituality, a love for platforms, a love for acclaim, and all these things, but not a love for biblical theology, and not enough love for biblical literacy," The founder and lead pastor of Atlanta's 2819 Church told The Christian Post.
"We see a lot of opinions, but not a lot of Bible." Mitchell, whose forthcoming book, Contend: Standing Boldly for Biblical Truth While Winning the War Within, is releasing on Oct. 13, said he’s seen the problem extending across Western Christian culture, from churches and conferences to worship music, podcasts and social media. "A lot of conferences, little Bible. A lot of sermons, little Bible. A lot of songs, little Bible.
A lot of podcasts, little Bible," he said. "We need to help the culture to love the Scriptures and not be so illiterate about God's truth." Mitchell said he regularly urges members of 2819 Church, as well as what the ministry calls its "digital disciples" around the world, not to rely solely on ministry leaders, pastors, podcasts or online personalities for their understanding of Christianity.
"I encourage them to read the Scriptures for themselves, to not just depend on podcasts for all their theology, and not even depend on me and my sermons," he said. At times, Mitchell said, he gives his congregation homework, challenging members to choose a short New Testament letter, read it slowly and then compare its teachings with the Christianity they encounter in culture.