BIBLE LITERACY AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN THE CHURCH

Although most Americans consider themselves Christian, many do not know

the basic facts fundamental to the faith. Consider these statistics: 1

Only 40% of Americans know that Jesus delivered the Sermon

on the Mount.

Fewer than half of American adults can name all four Gospels.

Some groups struggle more than others in attaining Bible literacy. Adults
under the age of 30 and people who attend small churches express
greater difficulties with Bible knowledge than older adults and
members of large churches.2
Fortunately, the past decade has brought great advances in consumer
technology developments with the potential to bring the Word of God to
individuals who are functionally illiterate, too busy or unmotivated to read, or
not affiliated with a bricks-and-mortar church. First, well look briefly at these
groups and their challenges in knowing the Bible. Then, well turn to new
digital technology that surmounts these challenges, bringing the Good News to
those who are currently left out with traditional Bible instruction.

Functional illiteracy keeps people from knowing the Word of

God.
The low level of prose literacy in this country is perhaps the least-recognized
obstacle to evangelism and discipleship in America. Individuals who read and
write with ease may be surprised to find out that nearly half of all Americans
are functionally illiterate. According to the U.S. Department of
Educations 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy, 43% of
American adults function at or below basic literacy levels. 3

Source of chart: http://nces.ed.gov/NAAL/index.asp?

file=KeyFindings/Demographics/Overall.asp&PageId=16

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Basic literacy allows a person to find a television program listing in TV Guide

or compare the prices of two tickets, but does not enable a casual reading of
the local newspaper let alone daily, meaningful Bible study. A person with
basic literacy skills is unlikely to have the skills to be gainfully employed or
economically self-sufficient. Below basic literacy, the lowest level, restricts an
individual to perform[ing] only the most simple and concrete literacy tasks,
such as signing a form. 4
Poor reading skills affect more than just job opportunities and financial
prospects. Functionally illiterate Americans also face two specific challenges in
receiving Gods Word: 1) dependency upon others, and 2) a learning style that
differs from the way most Bible teaching is done in this country.
First, people who cannot read fluently have restricted access to the Scriptures
and are dependent upon others to know what the Bible teaches. Audio Bible
listening programs empower individuals to discover the Word of God
for themselves and they are highly accessible to people who may
feel intimidated by a printed book.
Second, non-literate people process information differently than the
literate. For historical and cultural reasons, most American pastors and Bible
teachers use an expository style of teaching. While this works well for the
highly literate, people who are functionally illiterate require story telling
and dialog, not exposition, to understand and retain information. 5 The
way that Jesus taught is the ideal way to reach people who cant read, and
audio recordings bring His teachings directly to their hearts and minds.

Even believers dont read the Bible regularly.

Until the advent of audio recordings, the only way most individuals could know
what the entire Bible teaches was to read it for themselves -- yet few believers
read the Scriptures regularly. In fact, only 54% of Protestant adults read
the Bible each week. 6
Its rare even for those who read the Bible to conduct a thorough reading.
One study found that 65% of adults who identified themselves as Bible
readers have never read the entire New Testament.7

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On-the-go lifestyle crowds out quiet time.

What accounts for this low rate of Bible readership? In a survey of more
than 500 pastors, 47% cited lack of time as the main reason more
Christians dont read the Bible.8
The notoriously on-the-go American lifestyle is a prime reason people feel
pressed for time. With the average commute time at 23.4 minutes a day,
most Americans spend more time driving to work each year (100 hours) than
they spend on vacation (80 hours).9 When all car trips are factored in,
Americans spend, on average, 2 hours in the car each day.10

The unchurched population is growing.

Functional and Biblical illiteracy and hectic lifestyles arent the only factors to
complicate evangelism and discipleship. In the past 15 years America has
seen huge growth in the number of unchurched individuals, defined as adults
who have not attended a Christian church service within the preceding six
months (other than for holidays or special events). 11 The unchurched
population has grown enormously since 1991, to nearly 100 million
Americans. 12 Of these, more than half consider themselves Christian
and close to 10 million are born again! 13
Unchurched individuals hold a wide variety of beliefs. Interestingly, nearly a
quarter (23%) believe in the total accuracy of Bible teachings. At the
same time, just over half (51%) believe that Jesus committed sins.14
As tens of millions of Americans migrate away from churches, the trend is
toward non-traditional forms of religious instruction. A national Barna
Research survey ponders this inevitable gravitation away from the existing
church and concludes that by the year 2010, fully 10% to 20% of
Americans will obtain religious information exclusively or primarily
through the Internet. 15 Church leaders have a crucial opportunity to help
shape this emerging church form. 16

New technologies overcome obstacles to delivering the Word of

God.
As weve seen, the church faces numerous challenges in teaching the
Bible. Widespread functional and biblical illiteracy, hectic lifestyles, and a
growing number of unchurched individuals all require new forms of Bible
instruction. The good news: new technologies can reach
unevangelized and undiscipled individuals, regardless of their
lifestyle or ability to read. First, well briefly review the popularity of
consumer technology in America. Then, well move to a discussion of MP3
players, the newest revolution in digital technology. MP3 Bibles can
reach groups who are left behind with traditional methods of Bible
teaching.

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Most Americans own computers or entertainment technology.

In one of the most striking social changes of the last decade, ownership and
use of consumer technology has risen dramatically. Consider the following:

85% of American adults own at least one type of personal

computer.17

In the year 2000, 93% of American adults (and 94% of born again
Christians) owned VCRs.18

84% of American households own a DVD player, up more than 400%

since 2000.19

Christians are solidly part of this trend in fact, born again Christians
comprise 40% of the consumer technology market, and evangelical
Christians are more likely than other Americans to have desktop computers,
Internet access, and cell phones.20

Ownership of iPods and other MP3 players is skyrocketing .

In addition to these familiar forms of consumer electronics, theres a new kid
on the block: MP3 technology. MP3, a new form of compressing digital data,
is revolutionizing the entertainment industry.21 MP3 files can be played on
special players such as the iPod, burned onto CDs, and played on computers.
Although several brands of MP3 players are sold, Apple dominates the pack,
reaching 80% of sales in 2005.22 A few statistics illustrate the enormous
popularity of the iPod and other MP3 players:

Apple Computer Inc. has sold over 42.2 million iPods since
introducing the product in October 2001 including more than 14
million sold over the 2005 holiday season alone.23

By 2009, the total number of iPods sold in the U.S. is expected to

top 65 million.24

The technology is especially popular in minority communities16% of

African-Americans and English-speaking Latinos own iPods or MP3
players, contrasted with only 9% of non-Latino whites.25

Born again Christians account for more than one-third of the market for
iPods, MP3 players, and mobile computers. 26

40% of people born between 1984 and 2002 own mobile music
players such as iPods.27

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MP3 and the Bible: a match made in Heaven .

MP3 technology offers a new and exciting way to bring the Bible to people who
are not being reached with traditional means. Here are just a few of the
advantages of the MP3 Bible:

Audio Bible programs present the Word of God in the way that
functionally illiterate people learn best with stories and dialog.
MP3 files can be loaded onto iPods, an excellent way to reach teens and
young adults.

People who rely on the Internet for religious instruction are likely to be
receptive to a high-tech format.

Church leaders can influence the unchurched by encouraging Bible

listening programs in the wildly popular MP3 format.

Members of small churches can improve their Bible knowledge without

taxing their churchs limited resources.

Busy people can listen to the Bible while carrying out ordinary daily
activities.

Time spent in the car can be redeemed.

By listening for just 28 minutes a day, a person can complete the New
Testament in just 40 days.

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This report compiled by Hosanna Ministries, 2421 Aztec NE, Albuquerque NM 87107

SOURCES CITED

: http://www.firstthings.com/ftissues/ft9610/articles/reeves.html,
Not So Christian America, by Professor Thomas C. Reeves, citing a Gallup Organization
poll.
1

Christians Say They Do Best At Relationships, Worst In Bible Knowledge

June 14, 2005, http://www.barna.org, defining small churches as those with an
average weekend attendance of under 100.
2

All statistics cited from http://www.barna.org are from Barna Research Group Ltd., a
Biblical research group: Barna Research Group, Ltd. (BRG) is a full-service marketing
research company located in Ventura, California. BRG has been providing information
and analysis regarding cultural trends and the Christian Church since 1984.
3

http://ccclib.org/psc/2003_NAAL_report.pdf

http://ccclib.org/psc/2003_NAAL_report.pdf

Dr. Jim Slack, Understanding and Using The Learning Grid, Evangelical Agencies Meeting,
San Clemente, California, December 14-15, 2001 & 2002 Exploring The Implications of
Orality, Literacy and Chronological Bible Storying Concerning Global Evangelization,
http://www.chronologicalbiblestorying.com/articles/reader/2.1TheWaysPeopleLearnLG.do
c
5

Protestants, Catholics and Mormons Reflect Diverse Levels of Religious Activity, July 9,
2001, http://www.barna.org
6

http://www.siliconyogi.com/andreas/Yo/doc/Yo-245.htm, citing Gallup, The Role of the

Bible in American Society, Princeton Research Center.
7

Phone survey of 500 pastors representing 50+ denominations. Hosanna, 1996.

Americans Now Spend More Than 100 Hours a Year Commuting, Robert Longley (April
2005), citing US Census Bureaus American Community Survey,
http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/censusandstatistics/a/commutetimes.htm
9

For average commute times for selected cities, see

http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/Ranking/2003/R04T160.htm
citing U.S. Census Bureau, 2003 American Community Survey
http://www.xmradio.com/corporate_info/fast_facts_mkt.html, citing
Yankelovich Monitor Study 2000.

10

11

Unchurched People, http://www.barna.org.

12

Unchurched Population Nears 100 Million in the U.S., http://www.barna.org.

13

Unchurched People, http://www.barna.org

14

Unchurched People, http://www.barna.org

15

Concerns, Needs, Challenges, http://www.barna.org.

16

Concerns, Needs, Challenges, http://www.barna.org.

Americans On-the-Go Lifestyles and Entertainment Appetites Fuel Increasing Reliance

Upon Technology, February 7, 2006, http://www.barna.org.
17

18

Media and Technology, http://www.barna.org.

Americans On-the-Go Lifestyles and Entertainment Appetites Fuel Increasing Reliance

Upon Technology, February 7, 2006, http://www.barna.org.
19

Americans On-the-Go Lifestyles and Entertainment Appetites Fuel Increasing Reliance

Upon Technology, February 7, 2006, http://www.barna.org.
20

21

http://www.howstuffworks.com/mp3.htm

22

http://promomagazine.com/interactivemarketing/marketing_ipod_nation/

23

http://promomagazine.com/interactivemarketing/marketing_ipod_nation/

24

http://promomagazine.com/interactivemarketing/marketing_ipod_nation/

25

http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_podcasting.pdf

Americans On-the-Go Lifestyles and Entertainment Appetites Fuel Increasing Reliance

Upon Technology, February 7, 2006 http://www.barna.org.
26

Americans On-the-Go Lifestyles and Entertainment Appetites Fuel Increasing Reliance

Upon Technology, February 7, 2006 http://www.barna.org
27