This is something only a churchgoer would know, people outside of the church would naturally assume the opposite, but it’s true, there isn’t much Bible in church.
For a Christian, the Bible is the ultimate book of truths, guidance, and spiritual life. The expectation would be that it is the center of all we do and understand and yet this is not the case. The words contained in the Bible are there to instruct, save and sustain us but I have noticed a disturbing pattern where the Bible is absent and excluded. I have mapped out the pattern below.
“Lots of Talks – Little Reading”: I noticed that while preachers and guest spoke from the altar, that they would say a few verses and then talk about their own ideas and conclusions for the remainder of the time allotted. I would hear a few verses and then pages of what it should mean or stories that may or may not relate to what was read. Sports stories, homelife stories, childhood stories, you name it and it will most likely be a story told from the altar. After a while, you get the impression that they don’t trust the Bible to be sufficient if simply read out loud directly to the people as written by God.
“Less Bible – More Other Books”: Picture yourself in church listening for a good word and then the “Plug” for Bob’s new book and how it will change your life. Books, CD’s, and DVD’s all designed to teach you what is needed to have a meaningful and successful Christian life, (but I thought the Bible provided that). To make matters even worse I have been in churches where those books are being sold in the open areas right outside the main sanctuary. Even stranger many people will then read other books on the Bible in their entirety. Think about that for a moment, let it sink in, they have not read the Bible, but they have read one or more 3rd party books about the Bible.
“No Bible To Be Found”: I have been in churches that have food, stuff for sale, special programs and clubs to join but guess what, (no Bibles). I thought when I started going to church that the Bibles would be there waiting for me to read but it’s more of a BYO type environment. Bring your own Bible if you want to read along. Looking around most people don’t have a Bible with them to confirm that what is being said is true to what is written. I have been to churches that have a plethora of hymn books but not Bibles. The Bible is the single most important part of Christianity and yet is not present in abundance in many churches.
“Imagine If It Were You”:
Imagine you wrote a book that contained the ultimate understanding of physical health, financial security, and successful relationship building ever made. You spent your entire life writing the book and know for a fact that anyone who hears all that is written in it will be forever changed into the best version of themselves.
You send your beloved friend to present the book to the masses on national TV where he has been instructed to read what is written in it out loud so that those who hear it will be transformed. Once they hear the words their minds will directly connect with yours to clarify any confusion.
Millions of people gather around the world to hear your book.
Your friend gets on stage, opens the book to a random page (skipping several chapters), reads a few lines for about 5 min and then closes the book to talk about what it meant to him and what he thinks the author is trying to say (for the next hour or so).
He also throws in some humor and a few stories from his home life that he feels are inspiring. He then recommends “HIS” book to the crowd so that they can gain the full understanding of your book.
Everyone then thanks him for such a wonderful message and ponders on his words. Some even order his book to read.
How would you feel about that?
I myself have started deep diving into the Bible. I’m not just reading it, I’m trying to understand it without filtering it through my or anyone else’s understanding. I’m letting the Bible teach me.
Reality Decoded 
Yes, that is the sad reality.
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That honestly is one of the biggest reasons I do not attend church. I would rather take part in a bible study. Great post.
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It is a huge deterrent for those who seek to understand the Bible and I would imagine also for critical thinkers.
But for those who love entertainment it would seem things are fine the way they are.
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Interestingly, this is part of the reason I chose to become a Catholic. Apart from the complete misconceptions about our relationship with Mary (and the Saints), I was able to really engage with Catholicism due to the nature of the three readings at Mass. It’s wonderful to have so much of the Bible at Church, and I found that the themed homilies really helped me to think about the Bible passages in new and different ways, which in turn encouraged me to read at home. Excellent format!
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Given the headlines in the news about the Catholic church this is a refreshing positive aspect of the religion. Good to hear something positive.
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Spot on! Reading the Bible critically from cover to cover without all the pastoral interpretations, personal stories and anecdotes was how I became a non-theist.
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It’s true, people need to read to have an understanding of what they truly want or don’t want to be a part of.
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There’s a reason the Bible just fades into being a prop or backdrop. The closed canonicity of the Bible does not nurture or perpetuate exciting, creative, or authentic, cutting edge exploration or new concepts within the faith. After 2000 years everything under the sun and moon has been told and retold over and over and over to the point of ad nauseum. It isn’t fulfilling. That’s why everything is a side bar mingled with a few scriptures.
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Churches are for people before they want to get serious about spiritual inquiry, affording them a feeling of comfort without the necessity of deep inner ivestigation. Ultimately there is no group inner pathway — it is solo cross to bear.
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Well said!
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“Properly read, the Bible is the most potent force for atheism ever conceived.”
― Isaac Asimov.
Maybe this is why average Christians are not actively encouraged to read the bible in the manner Asimov stated?
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There is a forest but the only focus is a tree.
The challenge is living in a world where the people who control what you have access to are protected by the people outraged about what you want to see.
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Agreed!
So do you agree with what Asimov wrote?
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Seems unlikely. I don’t think atheism is founded on reading the Bible, that seems nonsensical. Everyone is an atheist in respect to other beliefs and they haven’t read all the material from each belief to achieve that position. Asimov is clever in wording but most likely was conveying a deeper lesson.
This perception of the post is less interesting to me since I am more focused on people in positions of power exercising force to restrict access to information. I believe this is being done in religion, politics, social media, medicine, etc. so my post was made (like others) to point that out. I’m not interested in a theological discussion on whether the Bible is convincing to nonbelievers. That’s an individual’s choice, I’m focused on them being allowed to read everything that’s available without the thought police stepping in.
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Asked and answered in detail.
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