It should be no surprise that Christians have become biblically illiterate. In a report from Christianity Today, 26 million Americans stopped reading the bible regularly during Covid-19. The pandemic created mass closures of churches, this being directly related to government restrictions, causing church attendance to plummet and millions of Christians who stopped reading the bible.
In another report (post-pandemic) from Lifeway Research, bible reading or “opening their bibles” (using smartphone bible apps) has increased among American Christians, but 57% of church-going protestants are struggling to understand what they are reading. This is truly sad.
The bible is self-contradictory and foolish
Our modern culture has contributed to discouraging Christians and specifically men from bible reading. The popular GQ magazine released an article “21 Books You Don’t Have to Read” and to no surprise, the bible came in number 12. Citing the bible is “repetitive, self-contradictory, sententious, foolish, and even at times ill-intentioned.” And to make matters worse, suggesting a replacement book with Agota Kristof’s, The Notebook.
Today 97% of Americans have a smartphone. The technology held in the hand of Americans is millions of times more powerful than the Apollo 11 guidance computers of the 60s, and as one commenter posted “It’s a pity all this amazing technology is used by idiots to check their Facebook status.”
To make matters worse, smartphone screen time is shocking. Americans spend an average of five to six hours daily. Imagine the technology we possess in the palms of our hands, and the majority of the time spent on it is for social media. Believe me, this is not a finger-pointing or blame article. I am not excluded from the damaging effects a smartphone can have socially, physically, and specifically in family life.
Because the smartphone is carried with us throughout the day, it can be put to good use. Countless apps can be downloaded to improve reading skills, writing skills, and communication skills, not to mention the various bible apps. But, according to surveys, it seems many Christians are too lazy to read and study the bible.
My intention with this article is to bring awareness to the illiteracy of the American Christian. But also, what we can do to turn the tables on this pandemic. It is undeniable, that illiteracy in America not only affects our country socially and economically, but it directly affects the American family.
In terms of book reading, Pew Research Center stated that 23% of Americans have not read a book in the past year, whether print, electronic or audio form. That’s over 70 million Americans that have not read or listened to a book.
It seems Christians have lost their appetite for the Word of God. When the believer loses its desire to read and study the bible, it affects the Christian, the family home, and the nation.
The apostle Peter addressed the churches in Asia Minor to lay aside malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, and as newborn babes DESIRE the pure milk of God’s Word. As Christians, we need this same attitude and posture as a baby, and that is the innate hunger for God’s Word. (2 Peter 2:1-2)
The importance of God’s Word is a matter of life and death. The book of (Romans 10:17) says “faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Word of God.” The result of illiterate Christians is a lack of faith in God’s Word. The bible is very clear, we don’t have to be literate to be saved, we need faith. But, we need to be biblically literate to have a fulfilling and meaningful Christian life.
In the book of (Matthew 28:16-20), Jesus told the disciples, Go and make disciples of all nations and teach them to obey His commands. This was the Great Commission. Not all the disciples were educated, in fact, Peter, James, and John were fishermen. But this did not excuse them from being knowledgeable in the writings of the law and the prophets. How could the apostles preach and teach unless they were literate in the Word? They were disciplined students and followers of the Teacher of the Word.
For the believer, God's Word is used for instruction, correction, and training in righteousness. This doesn't come by reading a verse a day in the bible, but by study. When we immerse ourselves in God's Word, we become equipped as Christians. We now have the tools and resources of biblical knowledge and understanding.
In the book of (1 John 4:1), God commands Christians to "test the spirits" and to verify without hesitation what is from God. The apostle John was addressing the Christians and referring to false prophets that would deceive the Church. It is your responsibility as a reader of this article to test and prove what I am writing is correct and true. There is no question that the data I provided will change over the course of time, but the point of the article remains clear; biblical illiteracy is a problem.
How does Illiteracy affect the Christian?
A literate Christian makes wise decisions and choices, not perfect, but well thought out. If we are biblically literate, it should help us to vote for our government leaders biblically. By reading what our politicians stand for and testing if it aligns with our biblical view. If we are at the car dealer ready to sign our life away for our dream car, we are prepared biblically because we have calculated the cost, and searched our true intentions of the purchase. Am I buying because I want it or need it? And even if I need it, can I afford it?
As Christians, we are called Ambassadors for Christ. We are given adopted titles that we can humbly brag about. We are dignitaries, accredited diplomats, and representatives of heaven, with Jesus being our King. It's a responsibility we should take with great pleasure and honor, but it also places a much-welcomed duty on learning and studying in the Word.
I encourage you to read and study the Word of God. One great way to start is to read the one-year bible, it only takes about 15 minutes a day. Below are recommended resources. I personally read the one-year chronological bible, and I am in the process of finishing up the last chapters of Disciplines of a Godly Man.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
Resources:
The One Year Chronological Bible: Tyndale
The One Year Bible: Tyndale
Disciplines of a Godly Man: by Kent Hughes
Disciplines of a Godly Woman: by Barbara Hughes
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