Does Bible school want to evangelize? Of course
The July 21 News & Record quoted Bill Leonard, dean of the divinity school at Wake Forest University concerning vacation Bible school. He said, ''There are churches that I think overstep. At the end of the week they will often have an evangelistic service and try to get little kids to profess Christianity."
I have a response: "What?"
If Bible schools teach that Jesus said, "Let the little children come unto me and forbid them not," why would they not be invited to accept His invitation? I am saddened that a divinity school leader would think children should not be evangelized.
Martha Suggs
Greensboro
Comments (5)
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Children don't know what they're being fed at these "Vacation Bible Schools".
My 13 year old daughter just went to one of these "schools" and after talked to me about getting baptized. I told her not until she has read the Bible would I allow it. Why would churches think that children should get "saved" or baptized without knowing what it's about?
What sickens me are those parents that force their brand of religion on their children.
Posted on August 1, 2007 4:02 AM
"I have a response: "What?"...
Admit it, you copied that from the 'geico' commercials... :]
Posted on August 1, 2007 7:09 AM
evangilized? i think indoctrinated is a more appropriate word.
Posted on August 1, 2007 9:18 AM
Martha, I believe that Bill Leonard is only trying to communicate that some of those young children are only mimicking what the leaders of the VBS want the children to do. As BH has eluded, do these children really know what they are professing, etc.?
There needs to be understanding before making that "leap." Consider it like a marriage Martha. Would you want your child to get married without the full comprehension of what marriage was/is, etc?
Just my two cents on VBS evangelizing!
Shalom
Posted on August 1, 2007 1:42 PM
I doubt if the folks that Jesus or John the Baptist baptized had read the entire Bible from start to finish, considering it wasn't yet written.
I don't think that is a necessary component of baptism.
I do agree that children should have an understanding that they are committing their life to God but in many ways, I think that understanding is much easier for them that it is for us.
I have to disagree with the dean of divinity and question why he made his statement.
What is the harm in a child professing Christianity? Seems of the many things I hear kids professing, Jesus Christ is the least of my worries.
Posted on August 1, 2007 2:03 PM