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Show TheSalt Lake Tribune RELIGION SHLANKSGIVING SERVICES Compiled by Julie DeHerrera And Amelia Platt BAPTIST First Baptist Church, 777 S. 1300 East, Salt Lake City, Wednesday, 7p.m. Intermountain Baptist Church, 4770 S. 1950 West, Lake keCounty, Thursday, 10 a.m. Sonrise Baptist Church, 3550 S. 4400 West, West Valley City, _ Thursday, 10 a.m. CATHOLIC Blessed Sacrament Church, } 9757 S. 1700 East, Sandy, Thurs| day, 9a.m. Our Lady of GuaaaL Ee | Church, 715 W. 300 No LakeCity, Wednesday, a Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 670 S. 1100 East, Salt LakeCity, Thursday, 9 a.m. Sacred Heart Church, 948 S. ,200 East, Salt Lake City, 9. a.m. St. Catherine of Siena New- *man Center,170S. University St., Salt Lake City, Wed., 7:30 p.m. St. Francis eAssisi, 172 N. 500 West, Provo, 10.a.m. in English and noonin Spanish. St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4501 S. 5215 West, Kearns, Thursday, 8:30 a.m. St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 300 E. 11800 South, Draper; Thursday, 10 a.m. St. Olaf Catholic Church, 1793 S. Orchard Drive, Bountiful, Thursday, 9 a.m., Mass. St. Patrick’s Church, 1058 W. 400 South, Salt Lake City, Thursday, 9a.m. Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 3560 W. 3650 South Lancer Way, West Valley City, Thursday, 9 a.m. St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 3015 E. Creek Road, ‘Sandy, Thursday, 10 a.m. CHRISTIAN REFORMED : First Christian Reformed Church, 805 E. 900 South, Salt LakeCity, Thursday, 10 a.m. CHRISTIAN SCIENCE First Church of Christ, ientist, 352 E. 300 South, Salt : ‘Lake City, Thursday, 1la.m. Second Church of Christ, ‘Scientist, 1165 Foothill , Salt Lake ‘City, Thursday, 10:30 a.m. : Third Church ofChrist, Sciventist, 1306 E. 5000 South, Salt ‘Lake County, Thursday, 10 a.m. CONGREGATIONAL First Congregational Church, 2150 Foothill Drive, Salt : Lake City, 10:30 a.m. Dinner fol| Jows. Bring a dish to share. EPISCOPAL All Saints Episcopal Church, 1710 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City, Thursday, 10 a.m. Saturday, November20, 1999 Bible Literacy: Knowledge Withers When Fewer Read the Good Book Decline affects American Christianity and understanding of U.S.culture BY TODD VAN CAMPEN KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS Thirteen-year-old Anne Dostart of Lexington, Ky. liked “The Prince of Egypt” -— except for the mistakes. She noticed that the animated film aboutthelife of Moses omitted somebiblical facts and fudged others. “Tt was a cute movie, butif they're trying to get a message out they're not ding a very good job ofit,” Annesaid “Where the Bible says Pharaoh’s daughter asked Moses’ motherto take care of Moses, the movie doesn’t,” Annesaid.“In the movie, Mosesdidn’t intentionally kill the Egyptian, but in the Bible it says he killed him on purpose andtried to coverit up.” If you have no idea what Anne is talking about, you're not alone. If you thought Chariton Heston did a more accurate portrayal in “The Ten Commandments,” you're not the only one. And if your knowledge of Noah's Ark comes from the Blea NBC tele- Nationalstudiessae adecline in biblical literacy — a fact that affects American Christianity and the understanding of American culture. In polls for his book, The Index of Leading Spiritual Indicators, George Barna noted that 90 per- cent of Americans owna Bible. But only 34 percent said they read the Bible during the past week in 1996, compared with 50 percentin 1992, Eighty percent wrongly said that the Bible containsthesaying, “God helps those who help themselves.” Nearly 65 percent did not know the message of John3:16. And 10 percent thought Joan of Arc was Noah's wife. You might expect that from people who don’t go to church. But a believer would know the Good Book like the back of his hand.Right? Wrong. Wheaton College in Wheaton, ML, attracts many students who grew up in Protestant churches and believe that the Bibleis liter- allytrue,or at least trustworthy. Yet tests of incoming freshmen showed that they do not havetheir facts straight, according to Gary Burge, professor of New Testa- mentat Wheaton. One-third of the freshmen could not put in order Abraham, the Old Testament prophets, the death of Christ and Pentecost, Burge wrote in the Aug. 9 issue of Christianity Today magazine. One-third could not identify Matthew as an apostle. And half did not know that the Christmas story is in Matthew,or that Passoveris in Exodus. Intrigued, Burge decided to test some evangelical youth groups. The students correctly answered 50-55 percent on Burge’s 25question test; only 33 percent could find the Sermon on the Mountin the New Testament. “Today we seem to want to teach timeless Christian themes that spring from those stories, while leaving the stories them- selves behind,” Burge wrote. In Kentucky — Southern’ Baptist country — Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louis- ville teaches some of the most committed Baptists. Yet even at Southern there are no guarantees of a mastery of Bible knowledge. Two years ago, only one in a class of 50 incoming students could list the Ten Command- ments, said Danny Akin, dean of the schoolof theology. It’s not unusual for an incoming Southern student to have trouble naming the booksofthe Bible in order, he “Manyof them comehere with the basics not yet in place,” Akin said. “It requiresus to adjust what we're doing.” Last year, Lexington Theological Seminary started requiring that master’s of divinity students take “Introductionto the Bible,” in whichthey read the enPD Bible. “The mainline traditions have not focused a lot on the Bible in the past in their Sunday schools, so we have found our students not as biblically literate as we'd hoped,” said Jerry L. Sumney,as- sociate professorof biblical studies. “We weren't able to carry on ourciasses atthe level you might hope.” Churches, recognizing the waning influence of the Good Book,are focusingtheir efforts on the young. Bible quizzes, in which young- Test Your Bible Knowledge KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSFAPERS 1. What did God create on ansixth day ? Fish and birds facts, are gaining in popular- ity at conservative churches. Meanwhile, mainline churches are starting to renew a biblical emphasis, The Christian Church @isciples of Christ), for example, recently published a Sunday school curriculumthattakes children through theBible in a year. If peopie know less about the Bible than they once did, what difference does it make? The Bible provides the bedrock for Christian belief, so a Christian without Bible knowledge is like a carpenterwithouta level. For Christians, “We have no reliable information about God — other than what we can glean through nature — other than the Bible,”” Akin said. “We can’t know ts ae) was swallowed by a B Light and darkness C. UK basketball D. Animals and people 2. How long did Noah'sflood oeme B 40 ree and 40 nights C. A week D. 150 days 3. Who was Rebekah’s favorite son ? A.Isaac B. Jacob C. Joseph D. Abraham sters compete by memorizing questions and answers aboutbib- C. Vertebra of a giraffe D. Shoulder ofa horse 4. What body of water did theIsraelites cross to enter the Promised Land? A, Jordan River B. Red Sea C. Southland Poof D. Mediterranean Sea 8. Who was thrown in the lion's den? A. Darius B. Daniel C. Dusty D. David 9. Which of the following is not an Old Testamentprophet? B. Zephaniah C. Zacharias D.Zechariah 10. How many wise men visited baby Jesus? The Bible doesn't say B. Three C. Six D. Seven aaMie did David do to oanit him in the head witha sto B.Cutoff his head C. Took his sword D.Ate his lunch ANSWERS 1. D (Genesis 1:24-31) 2. D (Genesis7:24) 3. B (Genesis 25:28) 4. A (Joshua 3714-17) 5.4, B,C(L Gy, 17:50-51) 6. What anima! bone did Samsonuseto kill Philistines? A. Jawboneof a donkey B. Leg boneofan ox anything about Jesus apart from the Bible. Christianity is a word- based faith.” Kentucky,teaches a coursecalled tant for non-Christians too. With- But biblical literacy is impor- “Hebrew Bible as Literature.” Mostof Gardner's students are each evening at 8 to sing, read Bibie stories andpray. out such knowledge, it’s tough to sophomores, but he says graduate Dostart, said she got her love for Scripture from Bible study with a understand muchof the art and literature of Western culture. Forinstance, a painting of The Last Supper will mean little to someone who doesn’t know about the life of Christ. And those who don’t know thestory of Cain and Abelwill miss the significance of John Steinbeck’stitle for his book, “East of Eden.” Joseph Gardner, professor of English at the University of students often wantto take the class, having discovered that they need it to understandbiblicalallusionsin books. “Tt’s so central to Western cul- ture that any educated person should be acquainted with it,” Gardnersays. If so, Anne Dostart is ahead of the game. She, her parents and her six siblings gatherinthe living room Anne's mother, Kristen Jehovah's Witness. The Dostarts now attend the Church of the Apostles, an Episcopal church in Lexington. “Wefeel it’s important for the children to be Bible literate,” Dostart said. “We believeit to be true, and webelieveit’s a guide for living. It gives them a focus other than the world, and other than themselves.” PEOPLE OF FAITH Tabernacle Organ Has “ The organis aein truth the Compiled by Bob Mims grandest, the most dar- John Huntsmax. Jr., Utah in- ing, the most magnificent Colorful History deliver the keynote address dur- faith Thanksgiving Service at Salt Lake City’s First Unitarian vented ® Continued from C-1 qustrialist and philantropist, will of all instruments in- Itisa ae eee by A human genius. ing Sunday's 10th annual Inter- itself. It can express any- Church. Renowned Jazz pianist 300 West, Salt Lake City, Thursday, 9a.m. orreplace worn relays, keyboards thing in response to the “7 ” skilled touch. and reeds, this is the essentially Steve Keen will provide entertainment. Theevent, scheduled for 5 p.m. at 569 S. 1300 East, Salt Lake City, Greek Orthodox Prophet the same organ that Longhurst Honore de Balzac GREEK ORTHODOX Greek Orthodox Church Holy Trinity Cathedral, 279 S. Elias Church, 5335 S. Highland Drive, Salt Lake County; Thursday, 9a.m. LUTHERAN Christ Lutheran Church, 240 E. 5600 South, Murray, Thursday, 10 a.m. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 8575 S. 700 East, Sandy, Wednesday, 7 p.m.. Grace Lutheran Church, 1815 FE. 9800 South, Sandy, Thursday,10 a.m Mount Tabor Lutheran Church, 175 S. 700 East, Salt Lake City, Wednesday, 7 p.m. Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1955 E. Stratford Ave., Salt Lake years to tweak its sound qualities and four other church organists havecometolove today. They are happy that the vener- able Aelolian-Skinner will con- tinue to reign in the Tabernacle when the 132-year-old, 6,000-seat structure surrenders conference- hosting duties to the new 21,000- seat LDS Conference Center next year — and newstate-of-the-art organ. The Tabernacle is a cozy musi- cal environment compared toits mammoth successor. Seating is intimately close to the organ’s keyboards, making the organist St. John's Lutheran Church, feel part of, rather than removed from, the audience 1030 S. 500 East, Salt Lake City, Thursday, 10 a.m. In the new Conference Center, City, Thursday, 10 a.m. St. Matthews Lutheran Church, 5200 S. 2700 West, Taylorsville, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. spaces will be more wide open, and the organ’s controls more clearly separated from listeners. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1070 Foothill Drive, Salt Will the new experience be less LakeCity; Thursday, 7 p.m. organists, but technically better? MISCELLANEOUS Capital Christian Center (Assembly of God Fellowship), 1010 E. 700 South, Salt LakeCity, Wednesday,7 p.m. Mountain View Christian Assembly, 300 E. 8000 South, Sandy, Sunday, 9 and 10:30 a.m. Park City Community Church, 4501 N Hwy. 224, Park City, Thursday, 7 p.m. Roy Christian Church, 4347S. 1900 West, Roy, Thursday, 10 a.m. Sait Lake Church of Reli- gious Science, 5448 S. 900 East, peeeens County, Wednesday, im. itheast Christian Church, 1884-E. Vine Street, Salt Lake personal for Longhurt and other Only time will answer those questions, “This isn't going to be a replacement,” church spokesman Dale Bills said. “It’s really an addition in yet anotherfacility. [The old organ] willstill be used for the MormonTabernacle Choir broad casts andthedailyrecitals.” BULLETIN BOARD Compiled by Shannon Quinn St. Ann's Church presents the S. 1900 East (meeting at Clayton and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Middle School), Salt Lake City, LakeCity. Call 973-4400,ext. 0. PRESBYTERIAN Cottonwood Presbyterian Church, 1580 E. Vine St. (6100 South), Salt Lake County; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. WISCONSIN SYNOD Prince of Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church & School, 144r W. Tamarack Road (4625 South), Salt Lake County; Thurs. day, 10 a.m. “One of my greatest thrills as organist has been to accompany the 6,000 people in here. You have half a dozen languages coming into your ears. It's beautiful,” Longhurst said. “I can’t imagine whatit will be like to accompany 21,000 people.” Well, perhaps Balzac could. And if so, all Longhurst and his musical compatriots need do is read the remainder ofthe quota tion on the organist’soffice wall pedestal on whichthe soul poises for a flight forth into spaces, es: saying on hercourse to draw pic: ture after picture in an endless series, to paint human life, to cross the Infinite that separates heavenfrom earth,” ‘The Sophias of the community will hold a fundraising benefit, art show andsale, during high tea, Sunday, 3 to 7 p.m. at the Prophet as CATHOLIC Ladies Guild Annual Christmas Boutique, today, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sungiay, 9:30 a.m.and 11 a.m. Still, Longhurst knows that when the new organ blasts its welcoming notes to October 2000 church conference-goers, it won't quite be the same. “Surely it is in some sort, a Coditty, Sunday, 6:30 p.m.; Thurs: day 10 a.m. ‘Gaity Spiritual Center, 1471 Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune A viewof the varying lengthsofpipes inside the Tabemacle organ. church, 450 E. 2100 South, Salt Q 35 S. Highland Driive, Salt Lake County. Proceeds to benefit the St. Sophia School. WThe Prophet Elias Church will hold Vesper Services tonight, 6 p.m,, at the church, 5335 S. HighlandDrive, Salt Lake County. Prior to Vesper services, a book review club will meetat 5 p.m. at the church. EPISCOPAL The Episcopal Diocese of Utah presents Healing And Wholeness: The Church As A Healing Com munity with The Rev, Julie Fabre, today, 10 a.m. to3p.m., at the Tut. Sost $5, Call 322-4131 Q GREEK ORTHODOX Q INTERDENOMINATIONAL Sister Jeremia Januschka OSB, a well-known retreat director, will be conducting an Advent prayer retreat, Dec. 3-5, Phone 392-923) for information andreservations. Celebrate Solemn Vespers each Sunday at 5 p.m. at the new Mount New Organ To Grace Center the National Conference for Community and Justice. Personsofall eS faith are invited to bring non- in the project. A-R. Schopp’s Sons of Ohio are providing someofthe pipes and wind chests; Fetzers Inc., a longtime Salt Lake-area woodworking operation, is building the organ’s mammoth cherry wood casing. Zimmer Gunsul Frasca of Port land, Ore., the principle architects for the Conference Center, also have contributed to the organ’s design. @ Continued from C-1 The Conference Center should be ready to host next spring’s An- the large size and accompanying nual General Conference. Howev er, since the organ’s installation lution has been to design a superstructure that will not only be a debutuntil October 2000's Semiannua!General Conference. acoustical characteristics of the Conference Center. Part of the sodecorative but functional, projecting sound into the building’s cavernous spaces. “Nothing quite like it has Lae attempted before,” Bethards Church organists have a involved from the beginning, es: pecially in aspects of the organ's cannot begin until the building is virtually completed, the instru mentitself is not expected to make Eventhen, organ-related work will not end. Final regulation of eachpipe, aimed at achieving its optimal volumeand tone quality, will continue through April 2001, Bethards said. But in the end, he predicts teamover the past two years. In addition to Schoenstein, several other firms are involved conference-goers will be pleased with what they hear. “This new organ has a special job to do, and that is to accompany the choir for these twice-yearly conferences, and perhaps some otherprojects,” Bethards said. Benedict Monastery, 6000 S. 1075 East, South Ogden. Qa Looks Back: Personal Reflections on Work with Jewish Refugees, LUTHERAN today, 9 p.m., at the church, 2425 E. Heritage Way, Salt Lake County. visual design, but they also credit architects, organ builders and others who comprised the design ‘The Lutheran Social Services of Utah will sponsor a Fall Harvest Festival, today, 5 to 10 p.m., at the Zion Lutheran Church, 1070 S. Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City. Cost is $15 for families and $8 for individuals. Call 588-0139, Q MISCELLANEOUS The InternationalFellowship of Christian Businessmen Utah Chapters are holding a dinner, to night, 7 p.m., at the Ramada Inn, 600 S. 200 West, Salt Lake City Cost is $8.75 per person. Call 523: 2340. @ Congregation Kol Ami will have Professor Norman Levine is sponsored by the Utah Region of FrenchNovelist speak on A Child of Immigrants Call 484-150) @ The Assemblies of God Church is having a Thanksgiving Musical titled “God With Us", Sunday,10:30 a.m., at the Salt Lake Christian Center, 4300 S. 700 East, Salt Lake County. Call 268-2178. @ Buyers United will be donating 10-minute phone calls any- where in the world over Thanks perishable food itemsfor the Utah Food Bank. Q Deb Parker, a memberof Salt Lake City’s Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Parish, has received special recognition from U.S. Attor- ney General Janet Reno for “su- perior performance ina litigative support role.” Parker, director of the law clerks program for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Utah, credits her colleagues and faith. “The cross keeps me grounded,”she told the Intermountain Catholic. “I try to have compassion for everyone, the victims, their families and their perpetrators. To me, that’s where the cross comes in. It reminds meof who I am.” Q Christian inspirational speaker Arthelene Rippy will be a special guest Sunday at Salt LakeCity’s Metro Fellowship, 460 W. Century Drive, Salt Lake City. Rippy, who speaks at 10:30 a.m., will share a message of hope and faith based on her experiences of sorrow and loss as first a pastor's eee and later a minister's wife. Nazarene will hold a benefit garage sale, bake sale, and silent auction, today, 9 a.m. to 2 p. it the church, 2018 E. 2100 South, Salt Lake City, Proceeds help re unite families of two political ref. ugees from the Republic of the Congo. Call 486-0622. inner Light Center, 470 E. 9900 South, Suite 104, Salt Lake County, will celebrate the ordination of the Rev. Jo Anne Casey, Sundayat 10 a.m., A pot luck lun: cheon follows. giving to the needy beginning Wednesday, noon to 4:30 p.m., at Q St. Vincent de Paul Center, 427 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City, and UNITARIAN The First Unitarian Church Thursday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the will hold its 10th annua! Interfaith ‘Thanksgiving Service, Sunday, 5 p.m., at the church, 569 8. 1300 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 279 8. 30 West, Salt Lake City, Call 523-8929 ext. 1160. @ The First Church of East, Salt Lake City, Persons of all faiths are welcome, Call 359-6102. |
