Americans Seek Wisdom, Not Salvation, in the Bible

Americans still value the Bible, just not in the same way they have in the past.  That is one conclusion I reached when reviewing a recent study done by The Barna Group.  According the research, 88% of American own a Bible, and 80% of us view the Bible as being sacred.  77% of Americans feel our country needs the Bible, with 32% reporting our nations problems could be solved if more people read the scriptures.  The media and corporate greed are viewed as the other reasons our country is in moral decline.

Millennials, more than older adults, turn to the Bible for wisdom when it comes to life issues.  Help with parenting was the top reason, with 42% of millennials listing in as a reason for turning to the Bible.  Dealing with family conflicts was the next most popular reason with 40%.  One third of millennials (33%) saw the Bible as a source of wisdom when it came to death or illness.  For those over thirty: 22% sought insights on parenting, 24% on dealing with family conflict and 17% on death and illness issues. Among the conclusions: millennials seemed to be intrigued by the role of the Bible in providing guidance and wisdom.  "It is a surprising expression of openness to Christianity amidst a  generational cohort that is increasingly post-religious," notes the report.

While I have always found the scriptures helpful when dealing with life issues, I find it more as a source of hope and comfort. I would never think of using the Bible as a parenting manual or a guide on how to run a successful business.  Only in the Bible can I find the incredible story of God's relationship with His people.  More than that, only in the Gospels can I read of Jesus' suffering, death and Resurrection.  Through the Epistles I am challenged in my walk of discipleship and service.  In the Book of Revelation I find comfort in reading that the battle is won and I can gain a glimpse of the glory that awaits me in heaven. 

Those of us who find our hope in the Good News of salvation found in Jesus Christ need to continue to share that message.  The most effective way is not with words, but rather through our actions.  The way we handle the issues of our everyday life should bear testimony to who we are as people of God.  Our reactions in time of crisis, even when facing death, should attest to the hope we have in Jesus.  We are always Easter people.