SURVEY: BIBLICAL ILLITERACY SPREADING AMONG CHRISTIANS An international educational survey called Program for International Student Assessment shows that increasing numbers of people have trouble comprehending the Scriptures, reports the German evangelical news agency IDEA. The scientific investigation studied school education in 32 industrialized countries. Volker Gaeckle, dean of studies at the evangelical Albrecht Bengel Center in Tuebingen, Germany, said there is an "insidious biblical illiteracy" even in Christian circles. Many find it difficult to read and comprehend biblical texts. At the same time, many preachers pay too little attention to whether their message is easy to understand. The Scripture reading in some worship services has become a mere "ritual," he says. "Churches should heed the study's warning that text comprehension is a major problem." (Religion Today)

May 2002