According to a recent study by Gru and Burna Group, there’s been a notable increase in Bible reading among Americans. In fact, about half of those who identify as Christians say they read the Bible weekly, marking the highest engagement seen in over ten years. This rise is especially evident among Millennial and Gen Z men, who have seen a 12% bounce back from their low in 2024.
While this uptick is encouraging, there’s a downside. The survey also revealed that only 36% of Americans believe the Bible is “100% accurate,” a decline from 43% in 2000. Among self-identified Christians, just 44% strongly affirm its accuracy. That’s a worrisome trend.
Back in 1952, prominent theologian Carl F.H. Henry remarked on a survey showing that 99% of Americans believed in God. With a hint of sarcasm, he noted that many seem to believe in a distant, uninvolved deity, who doesn’t really impact their day-to-day decisions. His concerns seem validated over the decades. In their book, Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teens, authors Christian Smith and Melinda Denton characterized the prevalent belief among American youth as “moral therapeutic deism.” Essentially, it’s a belief in a God who exists just to make them happy—under their terms.
This fickle approach to faith persists today. Even as Bible reading increases, trust in its authority appears to be waning. Humans often have a tendency to shape their beliefs around their own preferences—idolatry at its core. To echo the Apostle Paul, we sometimes want the perks of engaging with the Bible without accepting its authority.
After the Exodus, just weeks after witnessing God’s miracles, the Israelites asked Aaron to create idols for them. They fashioned a golden calf and declared it as the god who brought them out of Egypt. It was a profound misunderstanding and misrepresentation of God. Later, when the sons of high priest Eli attempted to wield the Ark of the Covenant as a tool in battle against the Philistines, they faced disastrous consequences.
Some people have historically misused the Bible for their agendas, like justifying slavery or supporting abortion claims. The scriptures shouldn’t be treated as a mere cultural artifact or personal plaything. God’s word carries weight—it’s not something we can manipulate.
Nonetheless, the rise in Bible engagement is still positive. History shows that periods of revival and reform often begin with a renewed passion for scripture. Drawing from C.S. Lewis’s The Last Battle, new Bible readers may find themselves surprised by God’s presence, even if they initially try to keep some distance. God’s word remains powerful and active, and that’s unlikely to change.
