Got Books?

Implications of the Decline in Reading for the Church

Did you know that the number of books in a student's home correlates with academic success? Or that adult readers are three times as likely to volunteer in their community? And while no one is surprised that readers visit museums and attend concerts more often than non-readers, did you know that a much higher percentage of readers play sports and exercise? Rather than being lost in a book, research sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) shows that readers, more so than non-readers, are actively engaged with the world around them.

Sadly, the study released in 2007^[1] also reveals that reading in America is declining at an alarming rate. Kids do okay in elementary school (The "Harry Potter effect" some would say), but by adolescence lose interest in reading. College graduates actually read less after earning their four-year degree than they did before matriculating. Following on the heels of the decline in reading is a decline in reading comprehension, resulting in shorter attention spans and less ability for complex thought.

Electronic entertainment (e.g. TV, Internet) is largely responsible for the decline. While vast amounts of information are available on the Internet, our brains process it differently than printed material. Surfing the net causes us to scan a multitude of flashing headlines, rather than think deeply and reflectively. Furthermore, opinions prevail over expertise in many web forums. In cyberspace, the popularity of a work (i.e. the number of hits) is the measure of success rather than its quality. Excessive use of electronic media eventually leads to passivity, a diminished attention span, and the need for accelerated gratification.

What does this mean for the church? We worship a God who reveals himself generally in nature (Psalm 19:1-4) but specifically in his written word, the Bible (Romans 16:26), and the living word, Jesus Christ (John 1:14). However, since Jesus' ascension, we rely on written accounts of his time on earth. Consequently, language is essential to knowing God. "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Mt. 4:4). No wonder organizations such as Wycliffe devote significant resources to translating the Bible into every language.

As reading comprehension levels decline in America, so does the population's ability to access the truths of God's word. Yes, we can adapt our evangelistic techniques to reach a less literate, more electronically savvy generation, but is there more at stake? The communal disengagement that accompanies non-reading poses a greater concern for the spread of the gospel. Visual artist Makoto Fujimura observes that along with reading less well "we are losing our capacity to focus and pay attention to the world around us with empathy." The NEA report found a link between reading and empathy for others. C.S. Lewis summed up this nexus over 50 years ago: [I]n reading great literature I become a thousand men and yet remain myself" (An Experiment in Criticism).

Former NEA Chairman Dana Gioia identifies reading as the defining difference between a passive consumer and an active citizen. While the church needs those who can think deeply and synthesize scripture, it also needs active members -- volunteers who will get involved with Sunday school, outreach, and mercy ministries. Reading promotes the engagement and empathy essential to sharing the gospel.

Throughout history, tyrants have tried to curtail freedom and control thought by banning books. Today Americans are abandoning their books voluntarily. For the church, this results in members content to listen passively to a sermon while remaining unchanged themselves and leaving the culture untouched (cf. James 1:22-25). So grab a book -- better yet, get The Book. The changes will surprise you!

(Originally appeared in my church newsletter.)

^[1] "To Read or Not to Read: A Question of National Consequence" at https://www.loc.gov/item/2021687963/.