Those wishing to join the early Church were required to undergo an extended process of instruction and purification. These catechumen renounced old beliefs and behaviors for citizenship in the kingdom of God. They knew the grand narrative of scripture. They understood that to be Christian was to feel a sense of obligation: To obey Christ, to love his people, and to work with the Spirit in reconciling people to God.
The problem:
Today, while local churches offer Christian education in a variety of forms, in many cases it is optional and superficial. Spiritual practices such as congregational worship emphasize ecstatic experience over contemplation and the pursuit of holiness. The result is that Christians do not understand their faith or how to live in a way distinct from the wider culture.
Recognizing this institutional failure, some look to private Christian schools for help. As a seminary graduate and high school bible teacher myself, I think there is great value in formal Christian education. Yet, many do not have the financial resources to dedicate to such pursuits. And for whatever motivation grades provide, they cannot measure the heart.
The internet has, thus, become the last refuge for many. Abundant with free resources, it can be difficult to identify quality content that is right for you on your own. It can also be very difficult to maintain the sustained attention necessary for growth while using this medium.
I would like to propose a solution:
Step 1: Take personal responsibility for your spiritual and theological development. Yes, the obstacles we face are real, but this has been true of every generation. We must stop allowing the failures of our institutions or the temptations of our culture to be an excuse for our plateaued faiths.
Step 2: Conduct a recurring, personal inventory of your character, knowledge, and spiritual skillset. Invite others to share honestly about what they see in you, whether good or bad. Thank them for their honesty.
Step 3: Find or create a growth plan and document your journey. Identify healthy teachers, resources, and learning communities which will help us achieve those plans.
For those committed to the steps above, Catechrist exists as one resource to help. Here, you will find brief articles on a variety of topics, including classic Christian doctrine, bible passages, and contemporary issues from a Christian perspective. But more importantly, you will see my journal where I document where I am and where I am going. My hope that one or more of these tools will assist you as you commit more earnestly to Christ, our teacher.
– Christopher
