TADB 148: Connecting the Dots in a Biblically Illiterate Age

A children’s connect-the-dots workbook reveals an important truth about communication: when basic parts are in place, simple connections can form a full picture. For much of the twentieth century, evangelism relied on this idea. Most Americans had the basic “dots” of biblical knowledge and a Christian worldview, making traditional gospel presentations very effective. Evangelists just needed to link existing knowledge points so people could see the full gospel message.

Today’s reality is markedly different. According to the Barna Group, only 9% of American adults hold a biblical worldview—a dramatic shift that calls for thinking more like foreign missionaries than domestic evangelists.

The Missing Foundation

Several philosophical movements have converged to reshape American thinking, forming an audience that no longer shares our basic assumptions.

Evolution has become more than just a scientific theory; it’s an ethical framework that implies newer ideas are inherently better than older ones. This leads to automatic suspicion of ancient biblical truths.

Enlightenment thinking elevated human reason above divine revelation as the main source of truth. The societal pressure on churches to conform to contemporary views on sexuality and marriage shows this shift from biblical authority to human reasoning.

Postmodernism took the next step by questioning whether any universal truth exists at all. This philosophy embraces moral relativism and rejects “metanarratives”—comprehensive stories that claim to explain reality. The Bible’s overarching story is now seen as just another cultural construct rather than divine revelation.

Existentialism centers on personal meaning in a universe that has no inherent purpose. This philosophy highlights authentic self-expression over external moral codes, setting the stage for today’s “choose-your-own-meaning” culture.

Individualism, while offering positive aspects like personal autonomy and creativity, has become unbalanced, resulting in isolation and self-centeredness that oppose biblical community and submission to God.

The Crisis of Biblical Illiteracy

Perhaps the most subtle yet significant influence on today’s audience is biblical illiteracy. This gradual decline in knowledge has created a disconnect between cultural identity and scriptural understanding. Many individuals still identify with Christianity but have disengaged from organized religion, leading to the expanding demographic known as “Nons.”

Biblical illiteracy manifests in various ways:

• Decline in Basic Biblical Knowledge: Many people today find it hard to recognize major biblical figures like Moses and David, as well as key events in the biblical timeline. While well-known verses like John 3:16 may be familiar, the overall story of Scripture often remains unclear.
• Christ Without Context: Jesus is often seen as a moral teacher or miracle worker, but His role as King and Lord is frequently overlooked.
• Shallow Theology: Faith is often reduced to simple slogans like “Love others” or “God wants me to be happy,” with little understanding of deeper theological ideas such as Messiah, covenant, or sin.

This disconnection from the Bible means that people are left with only fragments of the story instead of a complete understanding, which leads to shaping God into a reflection of personal preferences. It’s not just ignorance; it’s a deep disconnect from the faith narrative that once shaped their worldview and sense of purpose.

Implications for Modern Evangelism

This cultural shift calls for three key changes in how we share the gospel:

• Clarity: Define Your Terms

Gone are the days of bumper-sticker evangelism. We can no longer assume shared vocabulary or concepts. Terms like “sin,” “salvation,” and “faith” demand careful explanation.

More fundamentally, we need to confront sin at a level deeper than just moral failure. Although the Ten Commandments have faded from both public and private awareness, the real issue isn’t merely disobedience—it’s what one theologian called “treacherous cosmic rebellion” against God’s rightful authority.

• Context: Tell the Whole Story

As Charles Colson noted, “Beginning evangelism with the message of salvation is like starting a book in the middle—you don’t know the characters, and you can’t make sense of the plot.” We need to start with the biblical metanarrative, establishing God as Creator and helping people understand their place in His story.

This calls for patience and purposeful effort. We’re not just linking dots; we’re creating the full picture from the ground up.

• Call: Repentance and New Allegiance

We must clarify that following Christ isn’t just an addition to our current life but a complete transformation. It’s not only about belief but also repentance—a fundamental change of mind and heart. Christ’s invitation is to join His kingdom under His lordship, leaving behind our self-centered stories for His greater story.

Confident Hope

This cultural shift isn’t a problem for the gospel—it’s simply a reflection of our current context. We don’t need to change the gospel’s content to make it appealing, but we do need to communicate it clearly to make it effective.

The first-century church faced similar obstacles. Jewish audiences questioned Christ’s messianic claims and the concept of the Trinity. Roman audiences, being polytheistic and biblically uninformed, were immersed in Greek philosophy and worshiped unpredictable gods. Still, the gospel overcame these challenges through clear and faithful communication.

The same power that changed the ancient world is still available today. We just need to unlock it by sharing the gospel clearly and accurately, not just connecting dots but carefully illustrating the full picture for audiences who are starting with a blank canvas.

The task is more challenging than what previous generations faced, but the gospel’s power remains the same. Our mission is to share this eternal truth with the same clarity and boldness that the early church demonstrated, trusting that God’s word will not return empty but will achieve His purposes in our time.

For Discussion

1.  How does the “connect-the-dots” metaphor help you understand the difference between evangelism then and now?

2.  Which of the six cultural influences (evolution, Enlightenment, postmodernism, existentialism, individualism, biblical illiteracy) do you see most clearly shaping your community?

3.  In your experience, what “dots” are missing when you discuss faith with neighbors, coworkers, or family?

4.  How might starting with the “big story” of Scripture (creation, fall, redemption, restoration) influence the way you share the gospel?