New State of the Bible Report Shows a Downward Trajectory but Still Offers Hope

Tgsjmiller   -  

April 13, 2023

New State of the Bible Report Shows a Downward Trajectory but Still Offers Hope

Since 2011, the American Bible Society (ABS) has been issuing an annual report entitled State of the Bible USA. Earlier this month, ABS released the first installment of its 2023 report, which tracks key metrics about Scripture engagement, Bible use, and perceptions of the Bible in America. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, the newly released report shows a continued downward trajectory in Scripture engagement, which is not good for America in just about any way we can think of. The good news is that this is a reversible trend.

Putting people into three broad categories—Bible Disengaged, Moveable Middle, and Scripture Engaged—the report looks for trends, both favorable and unfavorable. This year, the first chapter of the report says the data collected suggests three things. First, when people engage deeply with the Bible, their lives and relationships are better. In other words, they flourish. Second, fewer people in America are engaging with the Bible. Scripture engagement is not rising yet; it continues on a downward trajectory. And third, there are signs of hope. The Movable Middle has rebounded, and Bible disengagement has fallen in the past year.

The reality is America cannot sustain its republican form of government with “we the people” as the central characters, its free-enterprise, capitalistic economy, and its unprecedented wealth and freedom long-term without the influence of the Bible and its clear teachings on what true Christianity is. John Adams told us early on that “[o]ur Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” At that time, Adams knew people understood he was talking about Christianity and the Bible when he referenced “a moral and religious people.”

Thankfully, the loss of the influence of the Bible in our country can be reversed. That reversing won’t happen in public schools, to be sure, even if the courts decided to reverse course on Bible reading and posting of the Ten Commandments in those schools. However, as dads and moms make the Bible an integral part of their personal and their family’s daily lives, the next generation will become more biblically literate and more Scripturally engaged. Churches should help families in this area in really practical ways; but ultimately, we reverse this dangerous trend one family at a time.

Read more…

 

Wisconsin School Choice application window closes this month (4/20)!

Visit the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) website to check out the options for your family for the 2023-2024 school year!

View information, deadlines, and applications for school choice programs here!

 

WI Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Allow School Staff to Conceal Carry on Campus

Two Wisconsin lawmakers, Rep. Scott Allen, R-Waukesha, and Sen. Cory Tomczyk, R-Mosinee, have introduced legislation that would allow school staff with concealed carry licenses to carry firearms on campus. 

“The reality is that schools are often soft targets for those looking to do harm,” the lawmakers wrote in a memo. “The knowledge that no one on the premise has the firepower to stop them emboldens bad actors. Parents are rightly asking for action to ensure the safety of their students.”

With incidents of gun violence on the rise, allowing those who are there to protect our children to equip themselves seems very rational. It may even deter perpetrators from carrying out acts of violence in the first place, knowing they will be met with equal force. 

Unfortunately, Gov. Evers has vowed to veto this bill if it makes it to his desk.

Read more…

Anniversary of Handel’s Famous Opus “Messiah” Offers Teaching Moment for Children

Today marks the anniversary of when George Friderick Handel’s famous opus “Messiah,” was first performed in 1742. The composition includes the “Hallelujah” chorus, which is sung in churches across the United States at Easter and Christmas.

The sacred oratorio received its world premiere at a concert hall in Dublin, Ireland. Handel composed the music in just 24 days, after having received the lyrics from Charles Jennens, who drew almost exclusively from the King James Bible.

How about this for a family dinner conversation? Kids need to know the great composers and their enduring musical contributions. Handel’s “Messiah” is worth not just recognizing but also understanding its message— the birth, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Handel signed the work SDG—Soli Deo Gloria—“To God alone the glory.”


New community event series: Religious Freedom Matters!
Read more about the Religious Freedom Matters! community event series by clicking HERE. Events around Wisconsin are coming soon!
ECFA’s 39th Anniversary Celebration Banquet
Celebrating the 39 years of God’s goodness to ECFA with special guest, Amy Ford of Embrace Grace Ministries, delicious brunch and inspiring client testimonies.
April 22, 2023
Doors open at 8:30; Brunch and Program begin at 9:00
Marriott Milwaukee West, W231N1600 Corporate Ct., Waukesha 53186
Register here


LEAD WI
July 16-21, 2023
Maranatha Baptist University – Watertown, WI
Register here

 

IN THE MEDIA
WEEKLY RADIO COMMENTARY. “WISCONSIN FAMILY CONNECTION”
Airing this week on over 20 stations statewide. This week: “Christianity, The Bible, & America”

  • Click HERE to listen to this week’s Wisconsin Family Connection or read the complete radio commentary.
  • Subscribe to our podcasts HERE!

“WISCONSIN FAMILY MINUTE”
A daily program for Christian radio stations!

  • Listen on our website HERE
  • Click HERE to subscribe to your Wisconsin Family Minute podcasts and never miss an episode!
  • Find your local station to listen live HEREIf the Christian radio station you listen to isn’t carrying “Wisconsin Family Minute,” please encourage them to do so. Contact us at 866-849-2536 or info@wifamilycouncil.org

STAND UP FOR THE TRUTH – Q90FM
WFC President Julaine Appling was a guest recently on q90fm’s “Stand Up for the Truth” podcast, hosted by our friend David Fiorazo. You can listen to the podcast HERE. David, Mary (new co-host), and Julaine had a robust discussion on the issues of the day from a Christian perspective. Julaine’s next appearance on Stand Up for the Truth is Thursday, May 18, 2023.

HOME FRONT/InFOCUS – VCY AMERICA
WFC President Julaine Appling hosts VCY America’s “Home Front” program every Wednesday afternoon (Sept.-May) at 3:15 p.m. On each program Julaine talks about important events happening in Wisconsin. Listen to yesterday’s show HERE.
Click HERE to listen to archived Home Front programs.

Julaine is also a monthly guest on VCY’s TV 30 live call-in program, “InFocus,” hosted by VCY America’s General Manager Jim Schneider. The program is on each Monday evening at 7 p.m., September through May. Julaine joined Jim on Monday, April 3. Watch online HERE. Julaine will be on InFocus again on Monday, May 15, 2023.