Pure Truth

We need clear direction for our lives, and the appropriation of God's Word into our minds and our practice is so critical throughout the challenges of life. The Word is our source of wisdom and strength, and it should be a consistent priority for the Christian life. Hebrews 4 tells us:
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

There was a phenomenon that occurred in the publishing industry last year, and it's summarized in an article at the CBN website, which says:

...Bible sales are up 22% this year through the end of October when compared to last year’s sales during the same time period, making for “a golden age of Bible publishing,” according to The Wall Street Journal.

By contrast, the article notes: "U.S. book sales were up less than 1% during that same period, meaning the Bible’s growth in sales far outpaced what was happening more generally in the print literary space."

Jeff Crosby, president of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, is quoted by the Journal, stating: “People are experiencing anxiety themselves, or they’re worried for their children and grandchildren,” adding  “It’s related to artificial intelligence, election cycles…and all of that feeds a desire for assurance that we’re going to be OK."

And, there's more encouraging data that has been emerging; the CBN article relates:

As CBN News reported in 2023, research backs the idea young people have a growing curiosity about faith. The “State of the Bible 2023” report released at the time did reveal a steady decline among young people engaging with Scripture. Yet, 44% of Gen Z adults between the ages of 18-26 were either very or extremely curious about Jesus and/or the Bible.

In 2024, the American Bible Society, which publishes the "State of the Bible" reports, found that 21% of young adults in Gen Z have "...actually increased their use of the Bible within the last year,” according to John Plake, Chief Program Officer at the Society, who related that to CBN News. Plake noted: “They’re leaning into the Bible,” adding: “They’re really trying to engage in their faith and they are kind of a bright hope for us as a young generation of American adults.”  Around half of Gen Z reported the Bible had changed them. 

Decision Magazine, in its story on this rise in Bible sales, which were reported by Circana Bookscan, stated:

According to the American Psychological Association, 77% of responders to the 2024 Stress in America Poll stated that the U.S.’s future was a source of significant stress in their lives. The second most common stress was the economy (73%), followed by the 2024 U.S. presidential election (69%).

Observing that first-time Bible purchasers are contributing to the increase, Bethany Martin, the manager of the Faith & Life Bookstore in Newton, Kansas, believes people are searching for hope.

“They’re looking for hope with the world the way it is,” Martin said, “and the Bible is what they’re reaching for.”

Writing for Answers in Genesis, Ken Ham states:

This upward trend in Bible purchasing is being attributed to the proliferation of new Bible designs (such as note-taking Bibles, chronological Bibles, various study Bibles, etc.) and to the anxiety and hopelessness so many people are feeling in today’s world. According to one publisher, there’s two groups buying Bibles: “the spiritually curious, who are perhaps picking up their first Bible, and those seeking a deeper sense of spirituality and expanding existing Bible collections.”

Praise the Lord! It’s wonderful to hear that so many people are purchasing—and hopefully that also means reading—God’s Word.

There's the key - a Bible on a shelf or a coffee table doesn't produce spiritual fruit.  We have to not only read God's Word, which we know will not return void, but study it, think about it, meditate on it, and DO IT!  A Bible-believing Christian is someone who actually acts according to what he or she finds in the pages of Scripture.  The book of James encourages us to be doers of the word and not just hearers. 

Our devotion to the Word will produce incredible insight into the ways of God and provide strength for us as we face the challenges of life.  This rise in the sales of Bibles, hopefully, indicates that there is a thirst for knowledge, an admittance that people need help - and hope.  Jesus is our hope-giver, and He speaks to us through His Word; after all, the Bible tells us that He is the Word who became flesh.  As you face the New Year, I encourage you to make Bible reading and Bible application a priority.  Faith Radio can help - we have a Bible available through our app, as well as an audio Bible and Bible reading plan.  Plus, we have a stellar lineup of sound Bible teachers who can assist you in your spiritual growth.