Parshall Partners

The Most Important Book

         The Bible is like no other book ever written or published.  It doesn’t merely contain, but IS the Word of God. 

         How do you read the Bible?  Do you use a device? eBook? Phone app? Published copy?  According to a survey done by the American Bible Society, nearly two-thirds of Bible users prefer a printed version over other ways of reading the Bible.  That included 56% of Millennials, 68% of Gen X, 46% of Gen Z, 71% of Boomers and 81% of Elders.

         The report stated: “You might think no one is reading printed Bibles anymore. Actually, print is still the Bible format used most often…People still prefer Bibles in print, but younger generations are leading the way into apps, websites, computer programs, and other digital options.”

         The American Bible Society defined a “Bible user” as someone who reads the Scriptures at least three or four times a year, apart from Church.  That is barely spending time in the Word but the survey reveals what might be a positive for future Bible engagement.  The report notes:

“These digital formats are becoming significant parts of the Bible-reading terrain, taking a place alongside printed Bibles. In addition, digital formats may actually increase the frequency of Bible interaction. Of those who do use Bible apps, about 30 percent do so daily. As people – and especially young people – rely on their phones throughout each day, could Bible apps lead the way to more consistent Scripture engagement?”

There are other fascinating facts about the Bible.  For example, the American Bible Society also notes that by more than 20%, women read the Bible more than men.  Printing errors sometimes happen and the history of Bible printing contains a major oops.  According to Reader’s Digest, in the 17^th century a Bible publisher printed a version of the Bible that changed the 7^th commandment to “Thou shalt commit adultery” by mistake.  Nearly 1000 Bible were distributed before the error was discovered and that version of the Bible quickly became known as “The Sinners Bible.”  Today only 9 copies of that version remain.

Here are more fun facts about the Bible:

• The Bible has over 40 different authors
• The last word in the Bible is “amen”
• The Old Testament took 20 times longer to write than the New Testament
• It takes longer to read the Harry Potter series than it does to read the entire Bible
• The Bible is the most stolen book in the world
• Lastly, a 2005 poll for Newsweek magazine found that despite average sales of more than $1 billion annually, only about 20 percent of Americans read their Bible daily — making the Bible the most owned, least read book in history

But here is the most important fact of all.  The Bible tells us that “the Word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to the dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebs. 4:12)

So, no matter what device you use, be careful when reading the Bible.  It just might change you forever. 

Those are my thoughts.  I’m Janet Parshall.