Well, its January 1st again and many people will be thinking about New Year’s Resolutions. According to About.com, some of the top ten News Year’s resolutions in the general US population include: Spending more time with family & friends, Fitness, Lose weight, Quit smoking, Quit drinking, Get out of debt, Get organized, etc. Yet despite all of the good intentions, according to a Marist poll taken in December 2009, of those who made resolutions last year, 65% made a valiant effort at least part of the year while 35% did not. Of the same group, 70% of men stuck with their commitments versus only 59% of women.
Among Christians there are other trends that seem to be more disturbing, especially in the area of biblical literacy. According to the Chicago Tribune in June 2007, the Bible is still the best-selling book in the US at 25 million copies sold annually. The same article states that 75% of Americans believe that the Bible is the word of God or inspired by the word of God. Yet despite the wide spread sales and availability of the Bible, it seems that this does not necessarily translate into esteem for or knowledge of the Bible.
Recent Barna Research Data gathered in Oct. 2009 showed that among young Christian adults (18-25):
- Only 30% consider the Bible to be totally accurate in the principles it teaches.
- 56% believe the truths of the Bible are conveyed by other sacred texts, such as the Koran.
- While many young adults are active users of the Bible, the pattern shows a clear generational drop-off – the younger the person, the less likely then are to read the Bible.
These trends are reflective of the general lack on biblical knowledge in US culture. According to Gary Burge, Professor of New Testament studies at Wheaton College, of incoming freshmen:
- 33% could not identify Matthew as an apostle.
- 33% could not point to the book of Acts as the place to find the missionary travels of Paul.
- 50% could not sequence the following: Moses in Egypt, Isaac’s birth, Saul’s death, Judah’s exile.
What is the reason for this trend toward biblical illiteracy? Why is it that even Christians do not know their Bible? Perhaps one of the most succinct explanations comes from Woodrow Kroll of Back to the Bible:
When we speak of creeping Bible illiteracy in America, we are not talking about the inability to read but the choice not to read . . . This failure to read the Bible consistently, or hear its truth consistently, is the major factor in Bible illiteracy in America.
Now you are probably asking, “Why did you quote all of these depressing statistics and trends?” The reason is that I am hoping that it will spur Christians everywhere back to the Bible – to read it, to study it, to memorize, to apply it to everyday life. To this end, I have included several links to resources to help you do just that in the coming New Year. Make it a priority for your life. Remember:
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 (NASB)
Have a blessed New year!!
Bible Reading Plans
Church of God Global Mission Bible Reading Plan – Used by Church of God Missionaries Around the World.
Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan
Book at a Time Reading Plan
5×5x5 Bible Reading Plan – 5 min per day x 5 days per week x 5 ways to dig deeper
Bible Study Methods
ABC Study Guide
Book Study Guide
Character Study Guide
Topical Study Guide
Scripture Memory
Topical Memory System
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