Guest Blogger Series: Noah Carlson and the BIBLE
Guest Blogger Series: Part 3 
This is the third post in a guest blogger series on the Bible. Part 2, by Erika Funk, is here.
It has been an enlightening experience to transition from Princetonian theological theory to British parish praxis during my tenure in Scotland as a visiting seminarian. Most interesting perhaps has been the utilization, or lack thereof, of the Bible as I function as an assistant minister in a variety of roles—preacher, confidant, teacher, administrator, and disciple. For this series, however, I will discuss my use of the Bible proper in school assemblies.
I had prepared and certainly hoped to use the Bible more in Scotland than I have been and although it is a source that I readily and often utilize, it is not my primary source in my educational ministry by and large. For instance, my duties include speaking to high school-aged youth who have a strong opposition to the Church. Simply standing in front of two hundred youth during an assembly and using Scripture as a primary source of your message would not only not be received, but also, and sadly—mocked. Most importantly, nothing of substance and worth would reach these students if such a Scriptural tactic were employed.
Now, some may argue from ivory towers that it does not matter; the Word always triumphs and thus should be used nonetheless. To be sure, this is true, but there is also the reality of the context one is in when using or not using the Bible in ministry, at least directly, and that must be taken into account if one truly seeks to be effective in their overall corpus of ministry. And so, I have found my assemblies to be centered on basic moral concepts that are found in Scripture, but not pinpointed with chapter and verse—at least not to the students. And, I have found this route to be relatively successful, as it enables me to still use Scripture, but to translate it in such a way as to truly reach a skeptical and critical audience.
Conversely, during my assemblies for elementary school students, I use direct Bible stories quite frequently, as they are narrative, descriptive, and can be brought to life easily for children—Noah’s Ark, etc. This speaks for itself and it works 99.9% of the time. Thus, the paradox arises.
My use of the Bible is somewhat paradoxical in terms of Christian education of the young here in Scotland—using it directly with the young ones, and indirectly with the older youth. But, what is most interesting perhaps is how the Bible is so well-received with children, but as they grow older into their adolescent years, they become alienated from Scripture and in some cases, completely against it, even combative to it. Why is this? And what can be done? Should I and other ministers stand firm and use the Word despite the walls that would be built and throw modern contextual language out the door? Should a new hermeneutic be created and enacted? This problem is as paradoxical as my use of Scripture in C.E. and my mind and heart yearn for a sincere answer. Perhaps an answer will come. In the meantime, in the words of Saint Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” When you look at it that way, perhaps an answer already has arrived.
Noah Carlson is a yearlong intern/assistant minister at the Scottish parishes of Old Cumnock and Lugar. He is pursing a M.Div from Princeton Theological Seminary. He blogs at Radical Seminarian.
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Thanks for the awesome post, Noah. Several times recently I caught myself thinking about the bad attitudes of older high school Scottish youth then convinced myself that I must be experiencing a small sample size of particularly rude boys. However, your post will get me thinking again.
I wonder what happens, and how, between the younger children who enjoy the Bible stories, and the older who react so harshly. Are they threatened, I wonder, by what the Bible says, or calls them to believe and do? Or is it just uncool to care?
I don’t fault the older youth. I fault the church. We do a fine job of teaching the stories, and we do a fine job of discussing them as adults. What we don’t do is support the older youth as they developmentally change and approach the bible and faith differently.
I agree, Megan. What’s also interesting, though, is the general lack of Bible studies or Sunday school in the Church of Scotland. So certainly, the church can be faulted.
I’m not up on my Christian Ed and human development, but if the high schoolers aren’t seeing anyone but children read and discuss the Bible, that can’t make them want to join in. I’d love to hear some American perspectives if folks have experienced something similar in the states.
francis of assissi never said, “use words when necessary.” the quote is the “god helps those who help themselves” and “always preach with the bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other” of liberalism.
The disengagement of young people is a natural part of growing up, they should question things and kick against what they have been taught, its healthy… and Megan is right, in the Church we let them down, we try to keep on spoon feeding them when intellectually they are way beyond that stage and so they gradually drift away. The Church needs to treat its young people as young adults rather than children much sooner than it does… to give them a voice and allow them to engage with the Bible, to allow them to ask their questions and express their doubts…
Also we now have a generation of young people who are completely unchurched, so the whole concept of Bible, faith and God is completely alien… we go into schools speaking a language fewer and fewer kids understand, no wonder they switch off or are hostile… But hat off to Noah for the post… Secondary school assemblies scare me witless…
Dear “Guest”,
It is about the spirit of the quote. Get with it.
Adam, lovely idea.
Your colleague,
Noah
Adam,
I went to your guest bloggers blog. He writes there that he thinks most hymns suck. I am surprised that you would invite him to be on your blog. You are modeling open mindedness.
Catherine
I’ve been accused of many things, but modeling open mindedness is not one of them.
Noah’s a great guy, despite his unfortunate taste in congregational song. I’ll have the day when, at the gates of heaven, he’s welcomed by the heavenly host singing metrical psalmody.
paul says, “everybody will perish who does not hear the gospel.” actual quote, got it.
kids want someone to look up to and relate to them. i suspect many of the scottish teenagers turn off from preachers of the bible not because it’s the bible they’re preaching. it’s because those who are preaching it are afraid or simply are not able to relate to them. a passionate, relevant, eloquent, educated speaker could captivate a teen audience even if the topic were trimming your toe nails.
the practical problem in my opinion is the watering down of candidates for ministry. simply put, the students entering mainline protestant seminaries today are often lazy, socially awkward, unintelligent, or have serious psychological problems. there are some strong candidates — i am sure adam j copeland is one — but too many in the ministry today entered because they can not hack it in a different professional field.
maybe i’m completely wrong. maybe the reason teen audiences don’t want to hear about the bible is that the message of jesus is scary and too demanding, and only minds that are developed, questioning, but not set in their ways can clearly hear what jesus has to say. and like the rich, young ruler, go away sorrowful.
Yes, but I am fairly certain I will arrive at the pearly gates (God-willing) and the heavenly host will be rockin’ out Skynard and Led Zep and a little Sinatra.
Hey, only in their dreams can men truly be free, ’twas always thus and thus will always be.
Noah – thanks for writing this up for Adam’s blog. I commend you for seeking to be faithful and working/learning in the unique field you’ve chosen for your internship. I wish I had known I could have done my internship like this.
The Church needs good, faithful, godly, Jesus loving young men like yourselves to be up in front of young people disaffected from church, as you described. Keep it up, be a light to them.
A Caution/Challenge to you…
Do not be afraid to use your Bible to share the gospel. There are great stories in the Bible that teens can connect with – stories that are funny, exciting, about adventure and battle, even about violence, sex, drugs and rock and roll. Ok, maybe not drugs and rock and roll. But you catch my drift? things young people are thinking about.
Hebrews 4:12 – “For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Let them hear this living Word. We all, including those teens, need to be laid out before God by His Word for our hearts to be changed.
And – Paul wrote — Rom 1:14-17 – “I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians both to the wise and the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome (Scotland). For I am not ashamed of the gospel; for it is the power of God for the salvation to everyone who believes…”
As you continue to study, train, and practice for your ministry – if you do nothing else prepare yourself to preach the Bible about Jesus and the gospel. people, adults, teens, kids — we need to hear the gospel over and over. it is good news! it will transform lives for Christ!
Again, thanks for sharing your growing faith and experience about how you use the Bible in your ministry. And, let me know when you get a good hymnal set to guitar rock!
-Mark Hunt