The Troubling Rise of Biblical Illiteracy

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

These words from the Apostle Paul underscore the centrality of Scripture for the Christian faith. The Bible is not just a collection of ancient writings - it is the very Word of God, given to instruct, rebuke, and equip believers to live godly lives. However, a growing body of research indicates a troubling trend - biblical illiteracy is on the rise among Christians in America.

Survey after survey has revealed a stark lack of basic biblical knowledge across the nation. A 2010 Pew Research study found that while Americans still greatly revere the Bible, only half could name the four Gospels, and even fewer could name the first book of the Bible. A 2014 American Bible Society report showed that just one in five Americans read the Bible on a regular basis. More recently, a 2017 LifeWay Research survey revealed that only 45% of those who regularly attend church read the Bible more than once a week.

The Causes Behind the Crisis

So what is driving this crisis of biblical literacy? There are likely multiple contributing factors at play:

1) Lack of discipleship - Many churches have failed to make in-depth biblical teaching and discipleship a priority. As Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19-20, making disciples involves "teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."

2) Generational illiteracy - Each successive generation seems to have less biblical grounding than the last. What was once considered basic knowledge is no longer being passed down.

3) Cultural distractions - The frenetic pace of modern life, with its constant distractions and demands on our time, makes concentrated Bible study more difficult. As Jesus warned, "The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God's word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares of this life" (Matthew 13:22).

4) De-emphasis on memorization - Where previous generations were taught to memorize Scripture, this discipline has waned in many churches and Christian education programs.

The Consequences of Illiteracy

While the causes are troubling, the potential consequences of biblical illiteracy are even more sobering:

1) Lack of theological grounding - Without a firm grasp of Scripture, Christians will inevitably struggle to understand core doctrines and teachings. As the Apostle Paul instructed Timothy, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). Mishandling God's Word leads to theological confusion.

2) Increased vulnerability - Those lacking biblical literacy are far more susceptible to being misled by false teachers who twist Scripture. Peter warned of "untaught and unstable people" who distort Paul's writings and the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16).

3) Weakening of faith - A shallow engagement with God's Word inevitably leads to a shallow, immature faith. As the Psalmist wrote, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you...Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path" (Psalm 119:11,105). Scripture illuminates, strengthens and guides our spiritual walk.

4) Moral decay - When a society loses its grounding in biblical truth and authority, it loses its moral foundations. The Reformer William Tyndale declared, "A religion that does not derive from a literal understanding of Scripture is worthless." As the West has drifted from Scripture, it has embraced relativism and rejected God's moral absolutes.

A Call to Reclaim Biblical Literacy

Recovering from this crisis will require a multi-pronged approach by churches, families and individual believers:

In the Church:

1) Expository Preaching - Pastors must re-commit to consecutive, verse-by-verse teaching through whole books of the Bible. As Paul instructed Titus, "You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1). Topical sermons alone are insufficient to ground believers in the full counsel of Scripture.

2) Discipleship Emphasis - Churches need to revive robust discipleship programs to deepen people's biblical knowledge. Jesus' command was to "make disciples...teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20). Superficial programs will not produce biblically literate disciples.

3) Bible Study Resources - Providing accessible Bible study tools, resources and training can help equip the body of Christ. As the noble Bereans did, churches should inspire their people to "examine the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true" (Acts 17:11).

In the Family:

1) Parental Responsibility - Parents carry the primary responsibility for biblically instructing their children, as commanded in Deuteronomy 6:6-7: "These commandments...are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children." Regular family devotions should be the norm.

2) Scripture Memorization - Reviving the practice of Scripture memorization helps ingrain God's Word in young minds and hearts. The Psalmist declared, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you" (Psalm 119:11).

For the Individual:

1) Consistent Bible Reading - Believers must develop the spiritual discipline of regular, consistent Bible intake. As Job declared, "I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread" (Job 23:12). Apps and reading plans can assist in this.

2) In-Depth Study - Simply reading Scripture is not enough - we must study it diligently to "rightly divide the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). Investing in commentaries, lectures and other study aids can further enrich understanding.

3) Obedience to Scripture - Ultimately, biblical literacy is not mere head knowledge - it is obeying and applying what we read. Jesus said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it" (Luke 11:28). Knowing Scripture must lead to doing Scripture.

The Way Forward

Biblical illiteracy represents a severe threat to the spiritual health of the American church. A Bible-impoverished people inevitably becomes an immature, theologically confused, morally rudderless people. The Lord does not look kindly on "my people who are destroyed from lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6).

However, this crisis can be averted if churches, families and individual believers heed the call to once again embrace the primacy of God's Word. As the Reformers proclaimed - it is by Scripture alone (sola scriptura) that we know God and his will for our lives. We must return to revering, studying, and obeying the Bible as our ultimate authority.

In doing so, we can raise up a new generation of biblically literate, doctrinally grounded, spiritually mature believers. As the Apostle Paul exhorted his young protégé: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).