Bible Literacy
The data from Barna Research tells us that 87% of Americans own a Bible. Perhaps you own several, not counting the big gilt-edged one on the coffee table. The Bible is the all-time bestseller. But when it comes to those who read it, it is a different story. Only 11% have read the Bible all the way through, and 30% say they have read parts and stories. Just take a look at the lifestyles and moral codes of our culture and you can see the need for Bible literacy.
To some degree we also have to consider how many people read at all. Pew Research found that 48.5% of Americans had not read a book in the last year. The age group that had the lowest percentage of non-readers were over 65 years old, 45.1%. The study considered print books and eBooks.
Why read the BIBLE???
The Bible is in a category by itself. It is given by inspiration of God. Consider these things about the Bible. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16,17). The Bible is God’s word, it is what He has to say to us. It is the truth in everything it addresses and is the one true standard you can count on in this world. Jesus said, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:31,32). So, it stands to reason our lives will be changed with a high degree of Bible literacy.
How many minutes per week are you feeding your SOUL?
When I started in the ministry the churches had Sunday School, two worship services on Sunday and Wednesday night services where we were taught the scriptures. People in this culture got “too busy” and the services have been reduced to Sunday morning, although many churches also have small-group Bible studies. But for the average person, it is Sunday morning, where a message is (mine anyway) 28-32 minutes, so the sound booth people tell me. And beyond that, there may be an app, or a devotional booklet that takes a minute or two each day, and we have spent 39 minutes out of seven days on feeding our soul.
Howard Hendricks in his classic Living by the Book pointed out that God chose to give His word to the world in print media. He suggested it would be worth it even for adults to take a remedial reading class if for no other reason than to read their Bible. But with our ever-present apps on our phone, or our tablet or PC, we can listen to virtually any version of the Bible free, having it read to us.
But I don’t have TIME!
“But I don’t have time!” I want to suggest that just isn’t true. Dr. Alex Granados of Calvary University recently shared a message that inspired this blog post. He wondered how much time we put into studying for fantasy football? Or binge-watching an old TV series on Netflix? Or staring at Pinterest, Facebook or Tik-Tok? We can make time for what is important to us. If you really want to freak someone out, suggest they memorize some scripture. Oh no, that’s impossible! But how many people call tell you four different people who played drums for their classic rock band and what their 1975 album cover looked like? Or all the things to beware of and how to win at HALO? Or give you statistics on all the baseball players on their favorite team?
Look at what God promises for someone who puts their heart into the Bible. “his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers” (Psalm 1:2,3).
So, could we take up the challenge to work on our Bible literacy? Pick it up and read it, I can tell you it has been the one thing that has changed my life for the better.
