Yet Another Study Confirms the Bible’s Transformative Power By Billy Hallowell for Faith Wire
Atheists will often decry the Bible and its contents, yet study after study shows the strong benefits faith offers individuals and, in turn, the culture at large.
The latest data corroborating the positive impact of the Gospel comes from the American Bible Society’s twelfth annual “State of the Bible” report, which “shows that Americans who consistently read and apply the Bible report greater levels of hope and resilience.”
The research, based on 2,598 phone and Internet interviews with American adults across the U.S., found the Bible “makes a significant difference in well-being” on the Human Flourishing Index, with those engaged in Scripture scoring 19% higher than those who are not.
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Plus, those engaged in Scripture have consistently scored higher on the “hope” front.
“Over these last three years, Scripture Engaged Americans have been at least 14 to 19 percent higher on the Hope Scale than people in the Movable Middle or Bible Disengaged categories,” a release from the American Bible Society reads.
And when people experience trauma, being engaged in the Bible helps provide “resilience” — something quite noteworthy to ponder in light of the chaos in our culture.
“When trauma sufferers are Scripture Engaged, they experience higher levels of well-being than those who have no report of trauma and are not engaging with the Bible,” the statement read. “Trauma still has a serious impact, but Scripture Engagement brings a resilience that promotes Human Flourishing more than trauma hurts it.”
It should be noted that being engaged in scripture means interacting routinely with the Bible and allowing it to shape choices and relationships with God, others, and the self.
Dr. John Farquhar Plake, director of ministry intelligence for the American Bible Society, said the research shows how reading the Bible can instill individual flourishment and hope.
