An increasing number of Americans view the Bible as both “true” and “life-changing,” according to a new Lifeway Research survey that also revealed that a slight majority of Americans have read at least half of Scripture. The poll found that the percentage of U.S. adults who consider the Bible true has grown from 36 percent in 2016 to 48 percent today, while the percentage who call it life-changing has also risen, from 35 percent to 45 percent. Americans today are also more likely to say the Bible is a “historical account” (38 percent in 2016 to 44 percent today) and “helpful” (37 percent to 43 percent).

At the same time, Americans today are less likely to label God’s Word as “outdated” (14 percent in 2016; 9 percent today) and “bigoted” (8 percent to 5 percent), according to the survey.

The data mirrors a broader trend indicating a growing interest in the Bible. Bible sales saw a significant rise last year, with overall sales up 22 percent according to Circana BookScan data and the Southern Baptist Convention publishing arm reporting a 30 percent increase.

“With other parts of the globe, the American consumer market has been experiencing a significant increase in Bible sales,” Andy McLean, publisher of Bibles and reference at Lifeway Christian Resources, said in a Lifeway Research analysis of the new data. “Of course, with that increase in sales, one would also hope that Bible engagement is on the rise. In other words, we want people reading their newly purchased Bibles, which I think shows up in the data and my experience as a Bible publisher.”

Slightly more than half (52 percent) of U.S. adults say they’ve read at least half of the Bible, a slight increase from 47 percent in 2016. About one in four adults (22 percent) say they’ve read all of it; in 2016, that number was 20 percent. A total of 9 percent of U.S. adults say they’ve never read any of the Bible, compared to the 10 percent who answered that way in 2016.

Meanwhile, Americans who have read part of the Bible say they’ve done so through several methods: systematically reading through a section a little each day (34 percent), looking up verses or sections suggested by others (34 percent), looking up “things when I have a need” (33 percent), re-reading favorite stories or meaningful sections (27 percent) and flipping it open and reading “where my eyes land” (25 percent).

One out of 10 Americans say they don’t own a copy of the Bible -- a reminder that Bible distribution and Bible gifting still meet a real need.

The survey was based on interviews with 1,200 U.S. adults.

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