The Crisis of Biblical Illiteracy

Years ago, Raiders of the Lost Ark became a Hollywood blockbuster directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, an archaeology professor who scours the globe in search of ancient, stolen treasure. The “lost ark” at the heart of the story, of course, is the biblical Ark of the Covenant, the sacred symbol that guided Israel throughout the Old Testament.

Scripture itself tells a Raiders of the Lost Torah story. During the reign of King Josiah (2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35), the Temple in Jerusalem had fallen into disrepair, both structurally and spiritually. As workers set about restoring the house of the Lord, they rediscovered the Book of the Law in a pile of dust and debris, forgotten and neglected for generations.

When God’s holy word was read aloud to the king, Josiah was undone. He tore his robes in repentance, realizing how far the nation had drifted from God’s covenant. That rediscovery sparked renewal. The young king of Judah initiated changes in the nation’s worship practices and removed all traces of idolatry. He also called the people back to faithful obedience. The lesson is clear: when recovered, respected, and practiced, the Bible yields both personal and national transformation.

Today, we face a similar situation in the church and across America. I am not the first to raise concerns about a crisis of biblical illiteracy. Others describe it as a scandal, especially when churchgoers lose their Bible memory or develop a case of holy amnesia. The Book of books remains the best-selling book of all time. However, recent surveys suggest that the Bible is also the best-selling, least-read book of our generation. 

We should be concerned when people who should know better believe Joshua was the son of a nun and that Sodom and Gomorrah were lovers. When survey respondents insist that Joan of Arc was Noah’s wife and that Golgotha was the name of the giant who slew the apostle David, church leaders should pause to examine our ministry methods.

What is Biblical Literacy?

Before we sound the alarm and declare a crisis, we should probably define biblical literacy, which goes beyond just factual knowledge and church attendance. The goal of biblical literacy isn't to win a game of Bible Trivial Pursuit or to score big in Jeopardy. Karen Engle agrees when she writes, “Though drawing people into a church building is not a bad thing, sitting through a church service each week does not guarantee a person will go home with a better understanding of the book they dutifully carry to church—or the God whose Word it is.”

On the other hand, a biblically literate person knows how to “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15), starting with an understanding of the big story of Scripture in all 66 books, from Genesis to Revelation. Resembling the famous Route 66 from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, I call it the ultimate road trip through the Bible.

The ultimate road trip through the Bible reveals one story—God’s story—with one main character, the Christ (Messiah), who is to come in the Old Testament, and, in the New Testament, the Christ who has come and promises to come again. Discovering the Christ connection in the 39 books of the Old Covenant and the Jesus juncture in the 27 books of the New Covenant is the beginning of Bible literacy; it is also the greatest discovery of one’s life.

Bible literacy also involves understanding theological concepts like creation, the fall of humanity, God’s grace, redemption, justification by faith, being "born again," and other core teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It goes beyond just engaging with the most popular Bible stories to developing a deep, contextual understanding of the ancient text, considering the historical, grammatical, and literary aspects.

Someone who knows the Bible well explores what it says, what it means, how it applies to their personal life, and how it shapes their worldview. They skillfully build bridges from the ancient text to the present day and to the end of the age. Because faith without works is dead, they also put the timeless truth they learn from Scripture into practice.

I am not suggesting that biblical literacy requires a seminary education. But I do believe that we should fill our pulpits with pastors who are trained and committed to "preach the word" (2 Timothy 4:2).

Why Biblical Literacy Matters

Biblical literacy starts in the home. According to Lifeway Research, "The biggest factor predicting the spiritual health of young adults is whether they read the Bible regularly as kids." Biblical literacy is important for many more reasons.

The Bible is God's written revelation. It helps us understand God’s nature, character, and plan for redemption as it unfolds from Genesis to Revelation. God also reveals Himself through other means, such as through creation, which we learn from the Bible itself (Romans 1:19-20, Psalm 19:1). The Bible tells us, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1), but visiting breathtaking national parks like Yosemite or Yellowstone can also fill us with awe.

God reveals Himself through our conscience. Romans 2:14-15 says that God has written His law on our hearts. This explains the origin of morality, our natural sense of right and wrong. Additionally, in these last days, God has revealed Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2), and we learn the truth about Him from the Bible. 

The Bible provides the foundation for sound doctrine, strengthens spiritual maturity, fosters unity in the church, and encourages obedience as we follow Jesus with all our hearts. Moreover, holy Scripture equips believers to engage culture thoughtfully. The best apologetics for the Christian faith come from the Word of God, when unleashed like a lion in pulpits and the public square by Holy Spirit-empowered communicators.

Finally, the foundations of Western civilization originate in classical Greek and Roman cultures and in Christianity. In many ways, the Bible tamed the eccentricities of the pagan civilizations. However, the recent rise of Americans who loudly support socialism and communism is concerning. Perhaps the fading memory of our Judeo-Christian roots best explains the growing popularity of these dangerous ideologies that contradict our constitutional republic. We are becoming a biblically illiterate nation, even though our history shows we are a Bible nation, built on biblical principles that both Jews and Christians cherish. Those treasured ideals form the basis of the American Dream and have helped make America an exceptional nation.

Conceptual examples include human dignity and worth, moral law and objective ethics, and the rule of law. The Bible teaches that human beings are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26–27). This belief laid the foundation for the inherent value of every person, regardless of status, ethnicity, or ability. This fundamental biblical idea is central to Western views of human rights.

The Bible also teaches that moral standards are grounded in God’s character, not merely social consensus. Ideals such as justice, honesty, responsibility, and the distinction between right and wrong are derived directly from biblical law and the wisdom literature of Scripture.

The Bible shows that law is above kings and rulers. Even authorities must follow God’s law (Deuteronomy 17:18–20). This influenced the Western belief that no one is above the law, a key principle of constitutional government.

Did you know the concept of property rights also comes from the Bible? “You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15) and the command against coveting a neighbor’s house, land, or possessions (Exodus 20:17) assume the legitimacy of personal ownership. One cannot steal what no one has the right to possess. It follows that the Bible limits the state’s power to confiscate personal property (1 Samual 8:10-18). The dystopian idea that says, “You will own nothing and be happy about it,” recently embraced by the World Economic Forum at its Davos, Switzerland, summit, should concern every freedom-loving person in the West.

And what more can I say? Time prevents me from exploring the biblical roots of Western ideals like caring for the poor, the vulnerable, and the oppressed (Micah 6:8), not to mention impartial justice, the idea that all people should be treated equally under the law (Leviticus 19:15; James 2:1). Consider the freedom of conscience (Romans 14:12), which gave rise to religious liberty. Explore the origin of economic freedom (Luke 10:7) and the reward of meaningful vocation (Genesis 2:15; Colossians 3:23). 

For these reasons and more, Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan used biblical imagery when addressing the country, which most people understood at the time. Lincoln’s famous “house divided speech,” delivered at the Illinois State Capitol after accepting the Republican Party’s nomination for U.S. Senator, referenced Jesus’s words recorded in three of the four Gospels (Matthew 12:25, Mark 3:25, and Luke 11:17). This biblical idea formed the basis of Lincoln’s deep desire to unite the nation fractured by civil war.

Likewise, President Reagan often spoke of America as a “shining city upon a hill,” borrowing the image from Puritan leader John Winthrop. For Reagan, it captured a vision of the nation as a beacon of freedom, hope, and opportunity. From his 1980 Election Eve speech to his 1989 Farewell Address, he described America as a proud, God-blessed city with open doors, welcoming all who were willing to work, dream, and build a better future. Winthrop borrowed the metaphor from Jesus, who said to His disciples, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14).

Today, I fear that biblical images in political speeches evoke little Bible memory in the citizens of our nation. No wonder some fear the beginning of the end of Western civilization.

And yet, the good news is Bible sales are soaring, with reports indicating an 11 percent increase in the United States in 2025. In the same year, Bible sales in the United Kingdom rose 25 percent. However, church attendance has been declining for years. This presents a situation that reminds me of the Ethiopian eunuch, who was reading the book of Isaiah but confessed, “How can I understand unless someone guides me?” (Acts 8:31).

Like the Ethiopian, many today possess the Scriptures without a clear grasp of their meaning or message. Owning a Bible does not automatically lead to understanding or transformation. Though personal Bible study is always encouraged, Scripture was never meant to be read apart from one’s connection to the community of faith or the church's teaching ministry, as led by the Holy Spirit.

The surge in Bible sales signals spiritual curiosity and hunger. The decline in church engagement reveals a gap. This moment calls for faithful followers of Jesus who can walk alongside seekers, open the Scriptures, and explain the good news like Phillip, the evangelist, did for the Ethiopian (Acts 8:26-40).

Promoting Biblical Literacy

A biblically literate church is like a well-trained army ready for battle. Are we more like King Josiah’s generation, needing to rediscover the Bible? Or do we have more in common with the Ethiopian, who possessed the Scriptures but needed someone to explain them? Maybe we are a bit of both. 

Either way, this is a time for the church and parachurch ministries to make disciples, strengthen the church, and promote biblical literacy. The first step is to fill pulpits with called, gifted, and trained preachers who are committed to the exposition of Scripture. Next, encourage people to consistently attend such churches and sit under the preaching of God’s holy Word, even as they read it themselves. 

Through my work as a local church pastor, where I preach weekly from the Word of God and broadcast those sermons on radio and television, I am dedicated to helping people rediscover the Bible and find their place in God’s story. Even Kid Rock is promoting biblical literacy. While performing at the Turning Point USA All-American Halftime Show during Super Bowl LX, he sang, "There's a book that is sitting in your house somewhere that could use some dusting off."

Since I was born in Indiana and people call me “Dr. Jones,” I wonder whether Steven Spielberg might be interested in an Indiana Jones adventure of another kind.