PC(USA) - We Believe-A Theological Assessment

Why Do We Offer the We Believe Curriculum?

We Believe: God’s Word for God’s People is produced for Presbyterians by Presbyterians. Does a thoroughly Presbyterian and Reformed theological approach to teaching the Bible make any difference? Consider the following:

Views of Teaching and Understanding Scripture

We Believe emphases:		Other popular curricula:

1. The overarching story of God's saving love for creation is always at the center of each Bible story.		1. Human response and responsibility are more likely to be at the center of each Bible story.

2. Bible stories reveal the grace that points us to God’s central redeeming act in Christ’s death and resurrection and ultimately new life in the power of the Holy Spirit.		2. Bible stories are more likely to be read and taught with an eye toward a “moral” lesson leading to an obedient response.

3. The old and new covenants form a coherent whole of which the person and work of Jesus Christ is the linchpin.		3. The old covenant is more likely to be interpreted as subordinate to the new. The old prepares God’s people for a new, superior covenant.

4. Through Bible stories, we understand that God moves people and history toward God's sovereign and gracious purpose.		4. The Bible stories are more likely to be read as if God's kingdom depends on a human response in order to advance.

5. Gratitude to God impels us to deep kingdom involvement in the world.		5. God's people are more likely to focus on a future day when they will receive their heavenly reward.

The contrasts above may seem stark, and are certainly not meant to disparage other traditions. However, they serve to outline a distinctive Reformed view of teaching and learning as reflected in We Believe. These contrasts deeply affect the way the Bible is understood and believed, and how its truth is lived out in our everyday lives.

As Reformed Christians, we Presbyterians owe it to our congregations to provide a thoroughly Reformed approach to the Bible. Without it, we sacrifice the unique gift God has given to us through our heritage and the opportunity to offer it as a gift to the larger church.



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