New State of the Bible Report Shows a Downward Trajectory but Still Offers Hope
April 13, 2023New State of the Bible Report Shows a Downward Trajectory but Still Offers HopeSince 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. |
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! |
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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
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IN THE MEDIA WEEKLY RADIO COMMENTARY. “WISCONSIN FAMILY CONNECTION” Airing this week on over 20 stations statewide. This week: “Christianity, The Bible, & America”
“WISCONSIN FAMILY MINUTE”
STAND UP FOR THE TRUTH – Q90FM HOME FRONT/InFOCUS – VCY AMERICA 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. |