Fallen Into Knowledge

After taking a test of Bible Knowledge pointed out by Halden I said:

At 55% I feel a bit ashamed. Part of me wants to justify myself by saying that the questions asked don’t evaluate comprehension as much as they do retention. But, it seems that clear comprehension and good theology depends absolutely on retention.
A good lenten project indeed.

I have decided to do just that: Read through the Bible during the 40 days of Lent. It will mean giving up a significant chunk of “free time,” I figure on about 2 hours of reading a day. But, this will be my first intential Lenten Project.
If you want to join me, feel free to download the Schedule (right click, save as…)
(Really, the test was ridiculously hard…really, take it yourself)

yeah, that’s right.  I failed abysmally.
I found (with some help) a test that determines your worldview, you can take it, too, if you want.  Supposedly, if you get all the answers right they will sent you a certificate.
Well, I scored 42%, and (apparently) am a Secular Humanist Worldview Thinker.Here is the breakdown:

Scoring/Ratings Chart
Strong Biblical Worldview Thinker
75% - 100%
Moderate Biblical Worldview Thinker
50% - 74%
Secular Humanist Worldview Thinker
25% - 49%
Socialist Worldview Thinker
0% - 24%
Communist/Marxist/Socialist/Secular Humanist Worldview Thinker
under 0%

All silliness aside, I am really glad that I didn’t make the cut and get the certificate.  For those of you not taking the test right now here is a sample of the question (with my gut-level response

“The Bible, rightly divided, should be the foundation for all our beliefs, actions, and conduct.”

How do we divide the bible rightly?  And with what tool?

“When you study the Bible as a whole, it becomes clear that God is very supportive of an economic system that is based on private property, the work ethic, and personal responsibility.”

“strongly disagree” - I wonder what the “right answer was?”

“Values clarification courses or situational ethics should be taught to students in our educational system.”

Wait - those aren’t the same thing!

Go over and look at the website:  It is shot through with the assumption that America and Christianity are pretty much synonymous, and that America is the instrument by which God enacts His public policy (which, naturally, is of the Republican, heavily Supply-side Economics, Pull-youself-up-by-your-Bootstraps Pro-War variety).  I suppose that I should not be bothered by the fact that I failed their phony test, but I am.  I dislike being labeled as a secular humanist:  I am not, and many of the answers i gave would never have been given by one.  I am bothered by the fact that my failing the political test also determines the results of the faith test.
Here is what I suggest:
“The Bible, rightly divided, should be the foundation for all our beliefs, actions, and conduct.”
The Bible, rightly divided, does not lead one to discount the faith of others based on whether they are Republican or not.
Okay, I’ll stop the diatribe now.

You’re Ulysses!

by James Joyce

Most people are convinced that you don’t make any sense, but compared
to what else you could say, what you’re saying now makes tons of sense. What people do
understand about you is your vulgarity, which has convinced people that you are at once
brilliant and repugnant. Meanwhile you are content to wander around aimlessly, taking in
the sights and sounds of the city. What you see is vast, almost limitless, and brings you
additional fame. When no one is looking, you dream of being a Greek folk hero.

Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.