The decline of biblical literacy.
In his book, The Invisible Bestseller: Searching for the Bible in America, Kenneth Briggs records his pilgrimage in search of biblical literacy. Remarkably, he says he found the most intimate familiarity with God’s Word, not in the hundreds of churches he visited, but in a prison!
The general decline of biblical literacy in the Western world is old news. But what’s new is that research conducted by Barna and LifeWay indicates that American Evangelical Christians have a failing grade regarding common knowledge about God’s Word.
The connection between church size and biblical literacy.
There also seems to be a correlation between the size of a church and biblical literacy. Briggs says that the faith he finds in “mega-type churches” is a “Bible-less … alternative version of Christianity.” In other words, the larger the church, the more likely it is for the Bible to be “a museum exhibit, hallowed as a treasure but enigmatic and untouched.”
In the absence of similar research elsewhere, I’m guessing that the state of Bible literacy in other parts of the world is similar to the USA. That’s why I’m advocating for “Bible-more.” The Bible should be more than a lucky rabbit’s foot, more than a talisman to ward off evil, and more than a good book on a shelf in a home.
What it means for Christians today.
Why does this matter? Because when we’re Bible-less, the lies of the devil enslave us. But when we’re Bible-more, the truth sets us free!
In the subduction zone of postmodernity, nominal Christianity is succumbing to the tectonic forces of popular culture, and we must call out Bible-less faith for the hollow sham it is. We should never tolerate biblical illiteracy in any church. To build a new generation of earthquake-resistant Christians, we must focus on being Bible-more in every aspect of what we say and do.
Empowering Christians to be Bible-more.
Let’s give ourselves a kick in the pants! There should be no excuses for being Bible-less. We should be red-faced concerning our biblical ignorance … but then move on from our embarrassment by doing something about it … by determining to be Bible-more.
Will you help shake things up? The modern world was created because the Bible helped Western civilization discover how reading and thinking are grounded in the fact that truth is knowable. The postmodern world could likewise benefit if Christians became Bible-more … if Christians, through knowing and living out God’s Word, helped postmoderns discover the truth that sets them free.
What do you think about the state of biblical literacy in today’s churches? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this article with friends who might find it valuable.
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Summary
Kenneth Briggs, in The Invisible Bestseller: Searching for the Bible in America, discovers that biblical literacy is most alive in a prison, not the churches he visited. Research by Barna and LifeWay reveals that American Evangelical Christians lack basic knowledge of God’s Word, and there seems to be a connection between church size and biblical literacy. The article advocates for a “Bible-more” approach, urging Christians to prioritize Scripture, as Bible-less faith leaves believers vulnerable to falsehoods. It also calls for a shift in mindset, encouraging believers to embrace the Bible’s power and let its truth set them free.
© Scripture Union Canada
2 Corinthians 4:5
