Biblical Illiteracy: Spiritual Decay in the Body of Christ
What is the scariest question you have ever been asked?
You know, the kind of question that cuts right to the bone in a matter of seconds. The kind of question that in a moment, completely disarms you and blocks any ability for even the crafty self-preservationist in you to whisper a decent lie or good excuse. This kind of question is usually just as emotionally taxing on the one who asks the question as it is on the one it is directed toward. It takes either a brave friend or a brazen foe to ask you a question like:
“Are you reading your Bible?”
That is the scary question my friend and coworker asked me last December. I sat in his classroom once again venting about the stress and insecurity that torments a first year teacher. I could tell when he asked me the question that he had probably been dying to blurt it out for the last twenty minutes of my rambling. With courage he asked me the question I had not been brave enough to seriously ask myself.
The evidence of spiritual neglect was all around me - in my work, in my relationships, in my health, and in my fearful and exhausted spirit. My most unfortunate realization was that at the heart of the issue, it was not that I did not have the time to read the Bible - I did not have the conviction[1].
If belief is as scripture suggests, I truly did not believe I should be consistently studying scripture for myself or that it was a spiritual necessity of any sort - or else I would have been doing it.
THE MAJORITY OF CHRISTIANS DON’T READ THE BIBLE
I am not alone in this. A lot of Christians hold the Bible in high regard and with much affection - but only in principle. Scripture engagement among Christians has been found to be at a steady decline for a number of years, and neglecting to read the Bible for ourselves might be having a significant impact.
We are not studying scripture as we ought to, or at least not as much as we convey to each other. A 2017 study conducted by Nashville-Based LifeWay Research found that despite almost 90% of American households owning at least one Bible (the average owning three), about half of Americans have read little of the Bible, and less than a quarter feel they have a solid plan for studying scripture daily.
Regular church attendees are more likely to read their Bibles, as 39% of those who attend a worship service at least once a month report reading a little scripture every day. However, nationwide church closures this year have severely restricted this correlating effect. The Barna Group found that during the Covid-19 Pandemic, scripture engagement decreased to an all time 10 year low with only 9% of Americans reading the Bible on their own every day.
For perspective, around 70% of Americans consider themselves Christian. Evangelical Protestant Christians make up about 25% of the Christians in America, and tend to engage with scripture at a higher rate. However, only a third of Protestant Christians are reading the Bible on a daily basis.
Imagine gathering with ten Christians in a room. Assuming that you all attend church at least once a month, on average only three of those standing among you are studying the Bible on their own and with consistency.
If you are human, and you have ever struggled with maintaining a consistent devotional life, you may find these statistics somewhat relatable. I do. These findings have been representative of my own lack of conviction and discipline to study the Bible.
You would probably find the most common justifications for neglecting the Bible quite understandable too. Most of us admit we do not prioritize the habit, or say we do not have the time. Even when we have less competition for our attention during a global pandemic, many neglect it all the more! Sometimes, we even convince ourselves we have read it enough to already know what is inside.
WHY WE NEED TO BE READING THE BIBLE
Why does it concern me that Christians are not reading their Bibles? Hypocrisy comes to mind quite quickly, as it certainly is a sin to be dishonest. Being found out can be as embarrassing as being caught on a morning you ran out the door without brushing your teeth! However, similar to how consistent poor dental hygiene can lead to a nasty case of gum disease, poor spiritual disciplines can become a real problem. Suddenly, something you forgot to do one day, or decided to put off for another time can cause disease in both the heart and mind.
THE BLESSING OF SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE
A week ago, our founder at the Noble Initiative discussed how becoming aware of what we allow to occupy our minds can challenge us to consider the things we value most. Interestingly, those who read scripture regularly are more likely to have Biblical concepts come to mind throughout their day. Reading your Bible on a consistent basis is not only an indicator of what you value most, but Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research claims according to their 2019 study that “Bible reading was one of the most predictive [indicators] of spiritual maturity”.
This reminds me of Moses’ last instructions to the Israelites and Joshua before they entered the Promised Land without him. Through Moses, God had spent decades teaching them how to trust and follow him. In order to continue growing in their faith, he urged the Israelites to remember all that God had delivered them from, the miracles he had performed, and how he had blessed them in obedience. As Joshua succeeds Moses in leadership, God instructs him to meditate on the law he gave the Israelites “day and night” (Joshua 1:8). This discipline would compel Joshua into daily obedience, and in turn bless him in everything he did.
AN UNTAUGHT AND UNSTABLE GENERATION
Neglecting the spiritual discipline of studying scripture makes it more difficult to walk in daily obedience and grow in faith. In the New Testament, Peter talks about how spiritual things can be hard to understand at times, but those who remain “untaught and unstable” will twist scripture in a way that only leads to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:13). TheAmerican Worldview Inventory 2020 shows evidence of how our generation is uniquely plagued by spiritual decay.
More than the generations preceding them, young adults today question God’s involvement in their lives, their value to him as human beings, and wonder if having faith really matters at all. The effects of this neglect can also be seen in our attitude and behavior towards others as we are “more likely to want to exact revenge when wronged, are less likely to keep a promise, and overall have less respect for others and for human life in general”. Young adults today also question fundamental Biblical beliefs such as God’s loving and intentional creation of humankind, the existence of a moral truth (authored by God), and even the importance of seeking God’s will.
Neglecting to study God’s Word has dangerous consequences that make it difficult to maintain personal spiritual health, foster relationships with others, and stand firm in Biblical Truth. It does not have to be so.
THE HOPE
As Christians today, we have a treasure trove of wisdom in the Word of God, a collection of truth to help us continue to grow in spiritual maturity. We have a tremendous advantage over the Israelites and Joshua! The book of Proverbs explains how scripture can transform the way we think, reform our character, and guide us in our everyday decision making.
Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge”. As we consistently study scripture and build our understanding of God’s great goodness and sovereignty (the basis for beginning to understand who God is, who we aren’t, and why we need him), we are compelled to return day after day to learn more.
Perhaps the best reason to consistently read the Bible is to continually renew our sense of need to keep reading the Bible.
ENCOURAGEMENT FROM A FRIEND
As terribly uncomfortable as that moment was last December, I am so glad that my friend called me out. He continued to share how much of a difference spending regular time in the Word had made for him. I could see the light in his eyes as he spoke, and I started to become painfully aware that I’d been drinking from the wrong well for months, all the while knowing what I was truly thirsting for.
I want to be your friend. Just in case you have been neglecting the spiritual needs of your heart and mind, or have not had a friend observant enough or brave enough to say something.
I am asking you, “Are you reading your Bible?”
- Andrea Moore
FINAL THOUGHTS
I could find more studies or quote dozens of verses about why reading your Bible matters, how it never runs out of relevance or purpose (2 Timothy 3:16-17), is necessary for every living human (Matthew 4:4), humbles you, guides you, and gives you hope (Heb. 4:12, Psalm 119:105, Romans 15:4). However, you likely already know this, like me and most Christians do. You may have even experienced the blessings - just as the Israelites did. But the Bible also often talks about what a blessing the rod of discipline is that grows us in wisdom and discernment, providing sure footing and guidance in every circumstance. Perhaps what Christians lack today is not strong feelings of inspiration, but a firm belief that compels us to engage daily with God’s Word.
Following his instructions to the Israelites on how to grow in faith, Moses also instructs them on what to do if they turn away. He urges them to obey and return “with all your heart and all your soul”. I challenge you to go read Deuteronomy 30:11-20 and give yourself a tough but incredibly loving reminder that reading your Bible does not have to be as difficult or as scary of a thing you make it to be. God has packaged the truth and wisdom of the universe into a book we can hold in our hands! The next question you must answer is not merely, “Should I read my Bible?” but “Will I?”
