Why not read the Bible in 2025?
By Paul Bawden
“Bible sales soar as the world events continue to shake.”
This was the title of an article by Jo Elizbeth, writing for the December 4, 2024, All Israel News.
According to Circana Bookscan, the industry’s primary data collection on book sales, as of October 24, sales of “Scriptures Bible” are up 22% in the U.S compared with figures of the same time last year. Even though digital book sales are up 1%, more people are paying to get a physical copy of the Bible. Why is such happening?
Elizabeth quoted from Jeff Crosby, president of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, “People are experiencing anxiety themselves, or they’re worried for their children and grandchildren.” Then he added, “It’s related to artificial intelligence, election cycles…and all of that feeds a desire for assurance that we’re going to be OK.”
Then, Elizabeth mentioned that there are those in public influence, like actor and comedian Russell Brand, who has recently become a Christian, and has been publicly exploring the Bible, while sharing his findings on social media. In one of his posts, he read from I Corinthians 13 about Christ’s love.
Jo Elizabeth also pointed out that a couple of other public figures recently found faith and shared their experiences.
Love Island USA contestant, Cely Vazquez, bought her first Bible and posted it on TikTok, saying, “I’ve had Bibles that my mom gave me, but I felt I needed my own to start my own journey, that it symbolized I was starting a walk with God,” she candidly shared. She went on to say, “I felt something was missing. It’s a combination of where we are in the world, general anxiety and the sense that meaning and comfort can be found in the Bible.”
Another new believer, comedian JP Sears, shared his thoughts about the social phenomenon of the presence of evil so obvious, that people will go the opposite direction which is God. Even Joe Rogan read Revelation 13 on his show considering the possibility that we are seeing biblical prophecy come true in our day. Rogan has some 18.6 million viewers.
Such interest has opened up the possibility for others to embrace the Bible who might not have taken the time to consider what the Bible has to say to one personally.
So how about you? Have you read the Bible lately? If not, why not? Why not join others who are purchasing a Bible and start reading it? I suggest you start with the fourth Gospel – the Gospel of John.
The Bible is not an ordinary book. It promises to provide you lasting inner peace, stability, and true direction in your life, forgiveness, meaning in life, and guaranteed hope beyond the grave. In addition, you will gain an understanding of current events. Yes, it will even lead you to the Savior who makes this all possible through faith in Him.
Again, if you don’t have a Bible, buy one, or go online and download the YouVersion app. Your life will be changed for time and eternity as you read it. If you’re reading your Bible every day, as a believer, read Psalm 1. You will be blessed by the Lord in 2025! Keep reading your Bible!!
Paul Bawden is married and served in the pastoral ministry for 45 years, retiring in 2011. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.A. in Speech and attended Dallas Theological Seminary, receiving a Master of Theology. He has taken counseling courses at Trinity Evangelical Seminary in Deerfield, Illinois. Paul is a lifetime member of the Evangelical Free Church of America, as well as being a member of Interim Pastor Ministries (IPM), which serves churches during their time of transition in searching for a new pastor. He writes for Union Gospel Press, as well as being a volunteer writer for GotQuestions.org. Paul likes to write, read, bike, and work in the yard. The Bawdens have had the privilege to travel to Mexico and Romania on mission trips and visited various countries in Europe.