The Bible Boom: Seeking Truth Outside Church Walls

Two reports landed in my inbox today that present a fascinating dichotomy. One tells me Bible sales have nearly doubled over the past five years. This would indicate there’s a renewed interest in spiritual matters. However, another report from George Barna shows a decline in traditional beliefs about God's existence. What gives?

Between 2019 and 2024, the United States saw Bible sales increase over 83 percent, and Bible sales in the United Kingdom grew 87 percent. This surge is particularly noteworthy given the general decline in non-fiction book sales over the same period.

And yet, a survey recently released by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University reveals a decline in traditional beliefs about God's existence.

If we go back to 1965, 97% of Americans stated a belief in the Biblical God, and about 40% viewed the Bible as the literal Word of God.

Today, only 40% of Americans believe that the God of the Bible exists, and only 20% believe the Bible is the literal Word of God (which is also down from 24% in 2017).

What’s really odd is that Barna found that 47% of those who claim to be born-again expressed skepticism that God exists or that He plays an active part in their lives.

Understanding the paradox

The notable increase in Bible sales with the simultaneous decline in the belief of God's existence seems contradictory, but I think if we step back and look at the bigger picture, we might get some answers.

I suspect I will offend many with the following statement, but I believe the institutional church has contributed greatly to turning people away from God. In other words, the reason for the decline in the belief of God is that, for many, the modern church as an institution has become a corporate structure rather than a place of genuine spiritual nourishment.

Many churches today function more like businesses than places of worship. Megachurches emphasize branding, high-production worship services, and polished marketing campaigns, and even smaller churches are hopping on that train. As one minister critical of the modern church puts it, “we’ve got big screens, skinny jeans, and smoke machines.”

While these things may attract crowds, they often fail to provide deep, meaningful spiritual engagement. People are seeking authenticity—real connections with God and community—not corporate messaging, leadership hierarchies, and financial campaigns that resemble Fortune 500 strategies.

Rarely do I hear about the biblical discipleship that people are seeking.

Instead of focusing on discipleship, heartfelt fellowship, and individual needs being met, many churches are concerned about institutional preservation. They’re promoting building projects, fundraising drives, and big outreach events, all while neglecting the spiritual needs of their congregants.

As a result, people leave these churches feeling spiritually starved, in search of deeper truths. The rise in Bible sales may reflect this hunger. People may be buying Bibles to gain direct access to God’s Word without the institutional barriers that have made faith feel distant and impersonal.

Church leadership failures

Another reason people may be walking away from churches and faith is because of all the scandals and abuses of power within the church. Hardly a day goes by now without news about some church leader being charged with sexual impropriety, financial corruption, or some other moral failing. It’s fair to assume that these events have led many to distrust church leadership.

You can see people’s thought processes even now. “If people who study and preach the word of God are so easily led astray, then what good will it do me?”

Rigid approaches vs. personal faith journeys

For others, the institutional church has become too rigid in its approach to faith. The younger generation, in particular, seeks open discussions, intellectual engagement, and an opportunity to acknowledge doubt and exploration. The rigid framework of five songs, announcements, a sermon, a collection, and a closing prayer isn’t cutting it.

Additionally, many who’ve left the institutional church cite experiences of judgment rather than grace. Instead of being places of refuge for the broken and seeking, too many churches have become echo chambers of moral superiority. Those struggling with faith, personal hardships, or differing worldviews often feel unwelcome in such environments, leading them to seek God outside of institutional walls.

The rise of personalized spirituality

So even though the number of faithful has declined significantly over the past 60 years, an interest in spiritual truth is making a comeback. People want truth. They yearn for meaning, purpose, and connection with God. It’s just that now they want to pursue it on their own terms.

As a result, many are turning to the Bible directly rather than relying on a church to interpret it for them.

A Personal Postscript

As for me, I left institutional church long ago. I never left God, only the institution setting. Almost 35 years ago, I was reading my Bible when words came off the page and a voice told me the words were for me. I was being called to teach. Since that time, I’ve taught in various settings – mostly adult Sunday school and also as a men’s pastor. I even pastored a small church for a time, but I’m not called to be a pastor – only a teacher.

Last year, after not teaching for a while, I was being nudged by God to get back to teaching. Long story short, I was sharing this with a friend who had recently bought a saloon so he’d have a liquor license for the wedding venue he’d also recently purchased. He suggested I teach a bible study in his saloon. I’ve been doing that for over a year now, and the regular attendees love it.

Why?

Because I don’t deliver sermons, I facilitate discussions. It’s not a unidirectional message, it’s an open discussion around a topic or a book from the Bible. Granted, it helps that for 35 years I’ve been training managers and leaders worldwide, so I’m used to being at the front of a class facilitating discussions. But it’s not just young people who come. Even people in their 50s, 60s, and 70’s attend because they love the freedom to offer comments or ask questions on the topic.

This is what I envision when I read about first-century church. And it’s that kind of relationship-building that is going to make a difference in the next few years. I don’t know if we’re going to see more people believing in the God of the Bible, but if people can break away from the institutional church mindset, I believe we will see an increase in the number of self-identified born-again believes truly believing the Bible is the literal Word of God.

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© 2025 Shadowtrail Media, LLC

Daniel Bobinski, Th.D., is an international bestselling author (Creating Passion-Driven Teams), a certified behavioral analyst, and for 36 years he’s been a corporate trainer and executive coach. He also serves as Executive Trainer for the Shofar Global Network, which advocates for business leaders to let God guide their businesses, thus directing people’s attention to the Author and Finisher of our faith.

A “Keeping Things Real” website is forthcoming.

Find Daniel’s business website at https://www.eqfactor.net/