Christian Pastors Turn To Scientology Why? Literacy

CNN reported that there are a number of Christian Churches looking to Scientology for help with their ministry.

Frankly I expected the story to be about some West Coast mega church somewhere that was just looking for a new spin on the prosperity Gospel, but it was not that at all.

The article was about churches in low income, urban areas who'd adopted the programs. Why? I quote from the article: "Now [this pastor] uses "The Way to Happiness" [from the Church of Scientology] as a how-to supplement to his sermons. He believes it is easier to understand and clearer to follow than ancient Scriptures taken from the Bible... In the book, which lays out ways to maintain a temperate lifestyle, [this pastor] found a message he believed could help lift his predominantly lower income African-American congregation. He said the book's 21 principles help them with their struggle in an urban environment where there is too much crime and addiction and too little opportunity."

Let's be clear.

This is theologically abominable. It is a statement that the Scriptures are not truly "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" and that something outside God's Word is what's really needed. In this case, something written by the founder of a science fiction cult.

Though the pastor states he can "back up" everything in the book by Scripture, really that's not sufficient. Someone could write a book advocating "assisted suicide" and "back it up" by references to Saul and Judas - two individuals not set forth as good examples in scripture!

But the reason the Bible doesn't "Back Up" this fiction is because the Bible's message is that godly lives emerge through the resurrection of Christ and the communication of those benefits to those who believe. It's about the Holy Spirit, not self help "how to's". And sometimes truly godly lives are not too "temperate" because they can involve what to the world seems like fanatical devotion to Jesus.

But it's also a practical tragedy that reflects the concerns I've had in evaluating the way I do ministry here.

The reason for adopting this material is that the problem involved is one of literacy.

This pastor faces a problem no different than many on the mission field (or many everywhere!): how to communicate biblical truth in a simple and clear way.

I've decided to attempt to serve the people with the lowest literacy levels and if people are capable of more, to give them the resources suitable for them as well.

The solution is not to be found though in syncretism, diluting Christianity with science fiction in this case.

And admittedly, this man's church won't likely find itself using the mass of "yuppie bible study books" available in your average Christian bookstore. They can be dangerous in their own way, after all.

But the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been lifting people out of despair, lifting people economically, and changing lives for 2000 years. If it's not doing so in urban America, it's because it's not being tried any more.

Could it be because we American Christians confuse the message of the Bible with "whatever the heck we want to do?" Do we preachers too often "baptize" our messages with a smattering of the Bible but we're really just saying what comes off the top of our heads? If that's the case, getting a book on Scientology to help out is no different really than the last 20 books we used to 'help out' since we didn't know what they Bible said anyway.

If we're serious about helping people with literacy challenges be transformed, that's where Bible Story Telling comes in.

That's why simple picture book tools like Train and Multiply need to become increasingly used in the United States.

The American church hasn't tested God's Word and found it wanting, though we have toyed with God's Word like a 5 year old and found it boring, though it's really not.

Let's deal with the real issue here...

If it's literacy, let's start using the tools that God has given us to communicate His precious Word to all we encounter.

If the real problem is laziness in cherishing the Bible, then let's repent.