I decided to do my research on how young adult Christians (18-21) (at UC) interpret the Bible. I found this interesting to me because it relates to me. I am in this age range and I am a Christian. As a Christian, I have noticed that different branches of Christianity, different age groups, and different individuals interpret the Bible differently. This led my curiosity in to how other young adults at the University that I attend, interpret this book we use to guide our lives.
Christianity began in the first century from Judaism. The religion is based on a collection of Jesus’ teachings. This faith flourished during the High Middle Ages. There are a few basic shared beliefs amongst all denominations. God is omnipresent and remains a mystery to humans. Though He is a mystery, human can and are supposed to keep a close relationship with God. He is revealed to humans through the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.Jesus is the son within the Trinity. He brings forgiveness of sin to humanity.
Method:
The observational part of the project was cancelled due to the COVID-19. Therefore, I interviewed two UC employees who are involved with the UC Christian community. Before the epidemic, I was going to observe the Christian UCBA club during their meetings. I was also going to to interview/survey all the members.
Interviews:
I interviewed David Freeman, the chairman of the Christian Club at UCBA. My exact questions were: How do you feel about young adults interpretation of the Bible? How do you feel these interpretations influence young adult choices? Does everyone in the Christian Club interpret the Bible the same? How does interpretation influence the way they interact with each other?
Dr. Freeman answered the first question by stating that there are two groups in the Christian Club and on is professing, while the other group isn’t. The group that is professing share a wide range of biblical knowledge. Most of them only know a few scriptures or parables. There are a few students that are well versed biblically and study the Bible in their own spare time. The students that don’t study the Bible, rely on their pastor’s or parents’ interpretations of biblical principles. He stresses that he feels every Christian student should study the Bible and decide their own beliefs and interpretations.
Freeman observes that young adults who accept the word of God don’t always make choices that are consistent with these beliefs and interpretations. He feels that young adults who believe in the Bible should try to incorporate biblical principles in their everyday lives. He also states that actions show what a person truly believes.
On the third question, he said that there is a wide range of biblical interpretation amongst young adults. The right to individual biblical interpretations is another basic concept accepted in ALL denominations. That would most likely explain why Dr. Freeman observes vast differences in biblical understanding. Dr. Freeman believes that biblical principles do influence the way individuals interact within the group. There is always a high level of respect for each person’s ideas. There are non Christian members who display skepticism toward the Bible and even their ideas are well respected.
I also interviewed Eric Richey, who is the pastor of the campus ministry. He was asked the same questions. His response was that most young adults are indifferent to the Bible. They are biblically illiterate and skeptical of this ancient book consisting of lengthy parables. Pastor Eric is concerned that the Bible is interpreted individually and not collectively as the creation, redemption, fall, and restoration brought by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. He feels that loose interpretation of the Bible leads young adults to make the Bible fit their individual lives, causing problems with not following God’s will.
Eric says not all young adults interpret the Bible the same, but they all tend to rush the proper interpretation. When asked does religion affect young adult choices, he responded with depends on the type of religion. He does feel like Christianity affects young adult choices because the Christian faith gives us a unique understanding of God’s loving purpose. The Holy Spirit leads us into a transformation of our personal relationships, in his opinion. He uses bible scriptures from Luke and Genesis to support his claims.
Summary of Findings:
I used multiple articles to draw conclusions beyond the statements my interviewees. One particular article particularly targeted United States Orthodox Parishes. The age range used for this article was larger, but it included my ages as well. The age range was 18-34, so I took this in consideration by noting the statistics aren’t necessarily accurate. I chose to use it any way because I felt it would still give a general idea of how age and religion, in general correspond.
In 2015, “Faith Communities Today” averaged that 11% of young adults are in church. Through surveys, more statistics concerning young adults in Christian churches. With that being said, it was found that 22% of churches had 20% or more young adult members, but 78% of churches have 20% or less young adults. Of the young adults in American Orthodox churches, only 15% put youth ministry as high priority. 18% state that youth ministry is not a priority, while 38% state that it is.
It is implied that due to low numbers of young adult members in the church, youth ministries have trouble forming and growing. 11% of churches state they can do little with such few young adult members. 22% claim that they have a good to excellent youth ministry. 37% claim that their church caters poorly to the youth ministry. Surveys also show that there aren’t learning opportunities for young adults in the church.
The last statement relates very well with my question because it poses the question how can young adults have an opinion on biblical interpretation or know how to interpret the Bible without proper opportunities to learn. I am assuming that because the age range is larger, the statistical numbers are larger. This leads me to believe that if only the age range that I am studying was used, the numbers would be a lot smaller. The lack of young adults committed to attending church is so low that it causes me to question the interest that young adults have toward the Bible. One can not learn, if they don’t attend school, the same way that Christian can’t learn if they don’t attend church.
According to Bob Smietana and Pew’s studies, times have changed causing young people to not be as religious. In the 1950s, young adults under 40 sincerely liked church. Pew’s Gallup poll revealed that adults under 30 are half as likely to attend church as the 60 and up adults. This is not just found in America or in American culture. Though my particular study is about young adults in my country and at my school, a little additional information can help with understanding the matter as a whole. Europe has a less religious group of young adults than older adults as well.
Adults ages 18-39 (beyond range, but still inclusive) are less like than adults 50 and up to pray, attend service, and even identify as a member of a religious group. Though young people don’t seem to value religion, 68% of Americans value religion. Most of other countries’ citizens do not show a difference in religion based on age. North America and Europe are two continents that are predominately Christian, which could explain the closer relation in religious culture.
Pew and Smietana noticed some relations between life and religion. Places with shorter life spans, typically had more religious citizens. The more popular school is, the less church is attended. A higher GDP corresponded with less prayer, meaning that working is most likely taking up prayer time. Countries with historical violent conflicts typically have a more religious young group of adults. Pew notes that during adolescents, there’s a religious peak, then a decline in young to middle adulthood, followed by an increase late adulthood. I found this surprising because religion is usually related to generational differences, rather than individual growth.
David White states that young Christians regularly attend worship, but still lack understanding. He proceeds to explain that the Christian faith has been recreated and does not truly influence individual relationships, lives, and perspectives. He also states he feels that culture can distort the Gospel. Thomas Begler supports this claim with the statement that the Gospel has to compete with the world and its influences.
Conclusion:
After gathering all this information, I came to the conclusion that most young adult Christians, do not know much about the Bible at all. The few that do read the Bible, interpret the Bible loosely to fit their lives. The statistics concerning church showed me that few young adults even attend church, meaning that they aren’t being taught how to interpret the Bible. I also concurred that culture has caused religion to be unpopular, and has lead to the decrease of practicing Christians. Due to the fact that most grandparents and older relatives have passed down some biblical principle, many young adults still identify as Christian. The fear of hell holds some young adults captive, but this fear isn’t enough to create dedication and devotion.
WattsFall2022English2089 