Biblically Literate?

This past Fall, I was invited to a women’s Bible study based on A Jesus Shaped Life, a book by Dr. Lisa Harper. Her goal for the study was to increase our understanding of theology and help us to better understand God’s character. I enjoyed the study and learned a lot. Since then, I have had several conversations with friends who admit they don’t really understand the Bible. We aren’t Biblically literate.

There has never been a time in history where the Bible has been more available. But we are reading and understanding it less. There are apps for your smartphone that allow you to choose your translation and will even read it to you in a voice of your choice. Or if you prefer old school Bible study, you can find Bibles in any bookstore or online. The number of options is overwhelming.

Being Biblically literate.

While most American households (about 87 percent) own at least one Bible, only a small minority  say they read it routinely. Even regular church attenders admit they only read the Bible a few times a year. And startling number can’t answer basic questions about the Bible such as who killed Goliath and who preached the Sermon on the Mount. 

More than a resolution? 

Around the first of every year, many of us make resolutions. We promise to eat less, exercise more and spend less time on social media. Many Christians vow to read the Bible more, pray more, attend church more regularly. 

Many of us decide to read the Bible all the way through in a year. And more often than not, we get bogged down in Exodus or Leviticus. 

Why aren’t we Biblically literate. ? 

There’s not a single reason we are less Biblically literate. But here are a few factors that contribute,

First, as a culture, we depend less on the written word and more on videos and audio formats. Reading comprehension scores are decreasing across the board. We prefer information in soundbites instead of books. 

Second, Americans aren’t as religious as we once were. The fastest growing “religious” group in the last census was the “nones”. These people aren’t antagonistic to spiritual matters, but they shun traditional religious practices. 

And, many Christians who do read prefer Christian “self-help” books to serious Bible study. I have struggled with this. There are a lot of skilled Christian communicators who write books that are entertaining and fun to read. There’s nothing wrong with reading religious books, but I try to read the scripture before and alongside their writings. Paul praised the Bereans for “double-checking” what he said with scripture. We should follow their lead. 

Is it really that important? 

This all begs the question. Does Biblical literacy matter anymore? I believe it matters more than ever. 

We swim in a sea of information, and much of it is speculative or just plain wrong. But Christians believe that God has given us His word and His heart through the Bible. When I read about how Joseph trusted God through years of imprisonment and forgave his brothers, the Holy Spirit reminds me of people I need to forgive. When I see how God transformed Saul the persecutor into Paul the apostle, I am reminded that God sees who I can be as well, 

Peter told early believers that they needed to be able to give an answer for their faith. Can you tell someone why you believe what you believe or why you are a Christian? 

Getting started

If you’re still with me, you may be thinking “But I don’t even know where to start.” Here are some ideas that might help. 

First, take some time to find the Bible that works for you.  There are over 400 English translations of the scripture available right now, with more in the works. But most people choose between about a dozen options. 

Here are some questions to help you decide which to choose.

• Which Bible does your pastor preach from most often? If your church uses one particular translation, this might be a good option, especially for a Bible you’re going to read every day. 
• Do you like old fashioned, formal language? Or would you prefer a Bible that sounds like you speak? There are good options on both sides. The New American Standard Bible (NASB) and the New King James Version (NKJV) are more formal translations. But if you prefer a Bible that uses modern, every day English,  check out the New International Version (NIV)- which is the most popular translation in the US right now- or the New Living Translation (NLT).
• Do you want a study Bible that has notes about topics that are important to you? Or would you rather just have the text without a lot of extra information? I tend to like simple Bibles with few notes because I want to pay more attention to what the Bible says than what any commentator may have written. But this is just me. I’m easily distracted and don’t need any help going down rabbit holes.  
• Do you want (or need) larger print to be comfortable? Go ahead and get something that’s legible to you. 
• Do you want something to carry to church with you? Or will you follow along on the screen at church and leave your physical Bible at home?  If you’re going to carry it around, you might want a smaller copy. 
• What kind of backing do you like? I grew up with leather Bibles, and leather or “leatherette” Bibles look holy to me. I like the feel. But a paperback or hardback can be more durable and less expensive while giving you the same features inside. 

These are just a few things to consider in finding a Bible. The most important thing though is pick a Bible you will read. Period. 

Find a good plan

Second, have a plan. You don’t have to read the Bible through in a year. But many people find that this is a good way to get an overview of the God’s plan from beginning to end. 

There are several plans available. Some read straight through from Genesis to Revelation while chronological plans group readings around a time line. This is helpful especially when events are covered in more than one place in the Bible, such as Kings and Chronicles.  

Still other plans mix up the reading a little.  You might read something from the first five books of the Bible along with a chapter in Psalms or Proverbs and something from the New Testament each day. These kinds of plans can keep you from getting bogged down in the genealogies and other lists that are common in the Old Testament. Or you may like to tackle specific topics such as love, forgiveness and identity,. Topical reading plans are a great option to discover all that God has to say about these things. 

You can find a variety of plans on the YouVersion Bible App, or you can do an online search. 

Third, schedule a specific time. Put it on your calendar. Allow yourself some flexibility, and be patient with yourself. It’s ok if you miss every once in a while. But when we make space for something, we are more apt to be consistent. And I find it helpful to set a focus mode on my phone so I’m not distracted by texts and emails. 

Fourth, begin your time with prayer. Ask God to guide your reading. Have a notebook and pen handy to write down what the Holy Spirit shows you, and also any questions that come to mind in the process. 

Don’t keep it to yourself. Help others be Biblically literate.

Share what you’re learning with others. Start a text group with some friends to post the things you’re all learning. It’s fun to get a text that helps you look at a familiar verse in a whole new way.

 Or join a Bible study group. Learning scripture together is exciting. And since we are all on individual journeys, chances are, you will be able to help each other grow and understand more. 

Sometimes after you have prayed and read scripture, you might want some help. Commentaries and online discussions are a good place to continue your journey. 

Most important, the reason we want to be Biblically literate is so we can know God better. If you get bogged down in Leviticus and want to quit, that’s ok. Find another plan and leave the long chapters on identifying leprosy for another time. 

There was a time that only priests and scholars were allowed to read God’s word. I’m thankful that isn’t the case now. I want my life to be governed by God’s principles, and the only way that can happen is if I know what they are. 

Here’s to better Biblical literacy!

 

Photos created in Canva. And yes, the dog in the library photo is Bernie.