Bible illiteracy

One of the most serious problems facing the Church in the 21st century is the problem of Biblical illiteracy…most

professing Christians do not possess a sound and coherent understanding of the

Bible

The U.S. Christian movement may appear strong, to someone overseas,

but the foundation is crumbling largely because of a lack of engagement and

submission to the Bible

"Americans revere the Bible—but they don't read it…and have become a

nation of biblical illiterates.“ - Researchers George Gallup & Jim Castelli

Many Christians cannot identify more than 2 or 3 of the

disciples

60% of Americans can't name even 5 of the 10 Commandments.

82% of Americans thought that: "God helps those who help

themselves," is a Bible verse

At least 12% of adults believe that Joan of Arc was Noah's wife

50% of graduating high school seniors thought that

Sodom and Gomorrah

were husband & wife

A considerable number of poll respondents indicated that the Sermon on the Mount

was preached by Billy Graham.

The larger scandal is biblical ignorance among Christians who

know less and less about the Bible.

Christians who lack biblical knowledge are the products of

churches that marginalize biblical knowledge.

Bible teaching now often accounts for only a diminishing

fraction of the local congregation's time and attention

The move to small group ministry has increased opportunities for fellowship, but many of these

groups never get beyond superficial Bible study

The centrality of biblical preaching to the formation of disciples is lost,

and Christian ignorance leads to Christian indolence and worse.

"Christians used to be known as 'people of one book.' They memorized it, meditated on it, talked about it and taught it to others.. We

don't do that anymore, and in a very real sense we're starving ourselves to death.“ - Kenneth

Berding

"If I sound alarmist, I'm not alone. These days many of us don't even

know basic facts about the Bible.“ -Kenneth Berding

2014 "The State of the Bible" report by BarnaGroup and American Bible Society, a majority of

U.S. adults (81%) said they consider themselves highly, moderately or somewhat

knowledgeable about the Bible.

Yet only 43% were able to name the first five books of the Bible.

In the 2013 report showed that only 50% knew that

“John the Baptist”

was NOT one of the 12 apostles.

One Bible College student, did not know that Saul in the New

Testament was different from King Saul in the Old Testament.

Another Bible College student thought the Old Testament figure Joshua was

the son of "a nun," unaware that "Nun" was actually the name of the father and

not a member of a Catholic church

"Many Americans don't consider the Bible to be authoritative, they don't consider the Bible to place a claim

on their lives…"

“Some consider the Bible to be important generally, but are far from believing that God has communicated His will through

this book and therefore it is binding upon your actions."

The 2014 Bible survey found that although most people own a Bible, (37%) of Americans read the holy

book once a week or more.

26% of Americans never read the Bible.

Christians are expected to frequently read the Bible so that they learn it enough to be able to think about it

throughout the day.

"I do NOT believe that most Americans realize that their very

light (or lack of) engagement with the Bible is serious," -- Berding

Contributors to the decline in biblical literacy:

Self-reliance - (not believing that there should be any authorities

outside of themselves)


Distractions - social networking, texting, gaming, TV & other

entertainment


Overconfidence -- the sense that we know a lot about the Bible because

we grew up going to church


“Being "Too Busy" -- hypnotized into believing that it is not very

important that we carve out dedicated time to read and learn the Bible


The Church Has Been “Dumbed Down” by the Culture - challenging youth with high

standards is considered harmful to their “self-esteem.” Instead of pushing children to excel,

standards of academic achievement are lowered

The Church Has Adopted the Cultural Mandate to “Feel Good” -- “Christian faith is

not being built on the firm foundation of hard won thoughts, ideas, history, or

theology. Spirituality is being built on private emotional attachments” - Gary Burge.

One of the greatest hindrances to church growth today is the lack of

Bible knowledge.

Can you SHOW someone what they must do to be saved?

Can you run through the plan of salvation, verse by verse?

Are you "ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you“…That is, can

you give a book, chapter, verse?

References

1. Why Johnny Can’t Read the Bible -http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/may/25.38.html

2. Biblical Illiteracy in US at Crisis Point, Says Bible Expert http://www.christianpost.com/news/biblical-illiteracy-in-us-at-crisis-point-

says-bible-expert-121626/

3. The Scandal of Biblical Illiteracy: It's Our Problem by Albert Mohler - http://www.christianity.com/print/1270946/

http://www.christianpost.com/news/biblical-illiteracy-in-us-at-crisis-point-says-bible-expert-121626/

