Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Read The Bible...You Have Got To Be Kidding Me?

A fascinating survey was done on who was actually reading the Bible. 92% of Americans own a bible and every household has at least three of them. However as George W. Gallup, the nation's foremost religion pollster, has put it, “We revere the Bible but we simply don’t read it”.

Many reasons are cited for the apparent crisis in biblical illiteracy. 64% of Americans don't read the Bible because they're too busy, and a large majority, 80%, say the Bible is confusing and way too cumbersome to read, finding the “Shakespearean-era” language difficult to get through.

What is troubling is that the Bible is frequently referred to as the keystone of American values, however a Gallup survey shows that 6 of out 10 Americans can't name half of the Ten Commandments, fewer than half of Americans can name the first book of the Bible (Genesis), and only one-third know who delivered the Sermon on the Mount (many named Billy Graham, not Jesus).

Only about one-third of Americans today believe the Bible is absolutely accurate and that it should be taken literally word for word. The rest feel that the Bible is the inspired word of God. And most of us agree that the Bible "answers all or most of the basic questions of life”.

However the Bible itself says it is the infallible WORD OF GOD. I can attest personally to the fact that if you read the Bible, your life will change in ways you cannot anticipate or imagine and it is all good because you are tapping into the most powerful resource in the universe - God Himself. The Bible puts it this way in Hebrews 4:12
”For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

But don’t judge a book by its cover. If you have never read the Bible….open it up, read it, and decide for yourself!

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5 comments:

  1. Hi Tracy ~ Thank you for all the work and thought that you put into all you do. I agree that at times reading the bible can be cumbersome and/or confusing. Do you have any suggestions for a great easy to use study guide or devotional? Thanks for your thoughts!

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  2. That is a great question and so happy you asked. My favorite thing is to read a STUDY BIBLE. It has an explanation of every line of Scripture. I use the Life Application in the King James version because I grew up in the Episcopal Church and they read from the King James.

    There are also Bibles that have more up to date language that many people find easier to read such as the NIV. But I must say there is NOTHING more powerful than reading the Bible ITSELF.


    John Stott..who I mentioned in the Newsletter also has MANY study guides and the man is BRILLIANT

    You can also join my bible study..I teach every friday at 11:00 am.

    Hope this helped

    Thanks for commenting..if you want to be a follower just click on follow the blog at the top of the page...

    tracy

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  3. Tracy,
    I hope your blog inspires more people to read their Bible. The Bible is so life giving and so very relevant to our daily life.
    Diane

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  4. Yes.Thanks Diane....but I need to find people to read my blog....any thoughts???

    I need HELP???

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  5. It just takes time...... and prayer.

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