Most Americans Own a Bible, So Why Aren't They Reading It?
It may surprise you to learn that America is decidedly pro-Bible. According to research commissioned by American Bible Society, Barna Research polled 2,000 Americans and discovered that nine out of 10 households own a Bible. A full 86 percent of people surveyed indicated that they consider the Bible to be sacred or holy. That’s the good news.
But this positive view of the Bible and high rate of Bible ownership in America begs a question: what are Americans doing with all these Bibles? To put it another way, is the Bible simply sitting on our shelves or is it being read? And what difference does it make in our society if we’re not actually reading the Bible?
To look at popular depictions of American society—a jaded, faithless people too sophisticated for belief in God—it would seem there is a decided disconnect between what we say we believe about the Bible and how it impacts—or doesn’t...
Jim Lincoln wrote: First of all, 86% who "revere" the Bible should know there is absolutely nothing sacred or holy about the Bible! Only what is in the Bible that is rendered correctly is holy and sacred.
Lurker here is what was said either late in the 19th or early in the 20th,
"Is the King James version absolutely inerrant? On this point we are inclined to think that, even unto comparatively recent years, such a theory has been entertained. The result, of course, is to make a sort of fetish of the book. That is why, in many a family, it is kept on the center-table and seldom used. They do not want to soil its sacredness…."
What part of "He is the only infallible teacher" did I fail to make clear?
And if the translations we have today are rife with errors to the point they are unworthy of our trust, what can be said of the teachings of fallible men who relied on those error filled translations? Error upon error?
First of all, 86% who "revere" the Bible should know there is absolutely nothing sacred or holy about the Bible! Only what is in the Bible that is rendered correctly is holy and sacred.
Lurker here is what was said either late in the 19th or early in the 20th,
William Bell Riley wrote: Is the King James version absolutely inerrant? On this point we are inclined to think that, even unto comparatively recent years, such a theory has been entertained. The result, of course, is to make a sort of fetish of the book. That is why, in many a family, it is kept on the center-table and seldom used. They do not want to soil its sacredness….
Neil wrote: John, was that in a Christian context? Many yrs. ago, the pastor bravely encouraged everyone to discuss his sermon after the service. We tried, but there was no interest. People preferred to discuss other subjects. You're right, the refrain is often Schuller's “God loves you & has a wonderful plan for your life” rather than Edwards' “God hates you & has a terrible plan for your life.”
One instance involved a family member who I suspect was genuinely trying to condescend in a considerate way and relate to me on a "spiritual" level. The other instance involved a fellow college student who greeted me while I was relaxing/reading in the student union.
Neither person was a known believer although the first one was "raised Christian"--even as I was.
I have to admit that even in our reformed presby church I seldom discuss the sermon with fellow parishners after the service. My bad, for sure. Thankfully our elders set aside some time during evening service for us to break into small groups to discuss that morning's message. Kind of a helpful way of "forcing" us to do what we ought to on our own.
"Most Americans Own a Bible, So Why Aren't They Reading It?"
Why should they when their pastor spoon feeds them everything he thinks they need to know for the next week?
Why should they when the more zealous Christians have confessions of faith which explains everything the church fathers thought the bible teaches?
Why should they when they have their systematic theologies which their favorite divines wrote?
Why should they when libraries of commentaries can be accessed in an instant on the internet which teach them what they thought God meant?
Why should they call on God to be their teacher by means of the words He inspired?
Because He is the only infallible teacher who will never lead them astray.
Oh, that God fearing men and women would set tradition aside, humble themselves before God and plead with Him to teach them, through His word, His will for their lives.
Many yrs. ago, the pastor bravely encouraged everyone to discuss his sermon after the service. We tried, but there was no interest. People preferred to discuss other subjects.
You're right, the refrain is often Schuller's “God loves you & has a wonderful plan for your life” rather than Edwards' “God hates you & has a terrible plan for your life.”
Too convicting and too contrary to modern man's pursuit of "positive" self-esteem-building feedback. John 20:3
On more than one occasion, I was reading my Bible when someone approached me and asked what I was reading. One time I was in Proverbs and another time I was in Psalm 90. In each case the person's smile evaporated when I read to them the passage I was reading at the time. Then they said something like "oh wow, that's...interesting", and then went away.
Maybe they were expecting to hear something like "how much God LOVES them" and the rest of humankind, instead of how bad and fallen man's condition really is.
Neil wrote: I know of people...... were/are thoroughly versed in Scripture, yet still treated fellow human beings, or even fellow Christians, with utter contempt.
"Too busy doing meaningless work. Can't read while you're making widgets. Can't read while you're sleeping."
How do you know? And why is making widgets less "meaningful" than, say, carpentry? How can one lawful vocation be meaningful, & another not?
Do the math: if one sleeps 8 hrs, works 8 hrs, that leaves say 2 hrs for commuting, another hr. for meals, which means one has 5 or so hrs left to read the Bible. Sounds like plenty to me. Not a good reason, I think.
Neil wrote: Sorry Dirk, but I didn't find *any* answers in that essay, which contained many unsubstantiated assertions & special pleading. Just one example: Any pastoralist will tell you that farming takes up almost *every* waking hour of the day, probably more than the std. 8-hr. industrial workday. Yet one never hears *this* type of "overwork" denounced. Just where does Mr. Beder get norms regarding how much work is too much? Scripture? Not a verse was cited. And what does overwork have to do with this article's claims?
Dirk is sorry you couldn't see anything there.
Why don't people read the English Scriptures? Too busy doing meaningless work. Can't read while you're making widgets. Can't read while you're sleeping.
Or, if one is slaving away at something supposedly meaningful, one still can't read the scriptures whether awake or not.
we are divorced from nature. our food is poisoned. we need to be cultivating the land and sharing it within our communities. communities are not communiteis if everyone lives in their cars. the children are shipped one direction, the mothers another, the men another direction everyday. the family unit, the neighborhood, and town are not their own. Relationships to each other and the land have been cut off. As a result, we do not know our neighbors, and are sick.
Our translations have cut and picked the word of God. This adds confusion.
Our pastors will not speak up when a child dies from ga$dee and other things. 501 makes the pastors silent.
We have outsourced our spiritual guidance to men on tv or CFR members. We are divorced from caring what is put in the water we drink everyday.
We have outsourced everything.
We have been told to be dependent, and now someone is actually telling me that I must stand up and be responsible for who I am and how I live?
Sorry Dirk, but I didn't find *any* answers in that essay, which contained many unsubstantiated assertions & special pleading.
Consider: Any farmer will tell you that his duties take up almost *every* waking hour of the day, more than the std. 8-hr. industrial workday. Yet one never hears *this* type of "overwork" denounced by would-be philosophers. Just where does Mr. Beder get norms regarding how much work is too much? Scripture? Not a verse was cited. It looks like this exemplifies exactly what I complained about at first: those who supposedly read their Bibles often, yet refuse to reason from it.
And what does overwork have to do with this article's claims?
Another Idea that comes to mind is most people simply do not know who they are. Their life and personalities have been shaped by disfunction and in most case built on lies. Most adults when they were children were exposed to conversations situations and other events that were destructive to good developement and these things became their reality. Life continued for them and these weeds that are growing in their personality and character are allowed to grow and developed deep roots. In the 12 step programs there is what is called a 4th step personal inventory. For most people Christian or not this is a real humbler and sets a person straight on what they really are. A work book to take this journey is available from the Alanon program. Before a person makes up their mind to turn their back on the idea of a Loving God, get to know your self first you might decide you really do need him!!!❤❤ ,
Also I would like to add express your faith through love and commitment to the Lord. Another words the practice a exercise like this if you come to a situation that would appear that sueing a individual would right the wrong say no to sueing and turn the situation to God and trust him for the out come. It is time to stop talking about faith and trust and start living it!!!😃
Wow such hate and anger from Satins little workers I pray God would transform their minds and save their souls. The answer to why society in America is so mean just read some of the comments. A country with out God is a country soon failed!!
Neil wrote: This is small potatoes. I know of people, past & present, who for all I know, were/are thoroughly versed in Scripture, yet still treated fellow human beings, or even fellow Christians, with utter contempt. Why should I believe that those who act this way have any more respect for, let alone fear of, God? “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” – Luke 18:8
Neil Having been raised in a Roman Catholic family I am well aware that to some, including Baptists, that although they would loudly proclaim and this breaks my heart, they believe the Bible is the Word of God, they don't act like it, to read it for themselves, learn of God and live by what He says to us.....
....just (ab)use it as a (quote) nice religious decoration.
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Dr. Alan Cairns | 3/16/2009
Brian Edwards | 7/17/2008
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udumdum: "
stever
betcha the devil hates her too
you should get to know..."
