Why are Bible sales increasing and what does this mean for people in Britain?
Last year, Bible sales in Britain reached their highest levels since records began, according to Christian publisher SPCK. Since 2019 alone, Bible sales increased by a whopping 134%. Young adults and Gen Z in particular are becoming more open to reading the Bible, going to church, praying and practising their faith, according to The Bible Society.
But what’s prompted this increase in Bible sales, and does it indicate that people – especially young adults – are turning to the Word of God for hope in a world filled with tragedy and uncertainty?
Six years of turmoil: a global pandemic and a cost of living crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic and the rapidly rising cost of living have had a devastating impact across the UK over the past six years. The number of people struggling with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression has surged, meaning NHS waiting lists are getting longer, and people simply aren’t able to access the mental health support they need when they need it.
More people are also facing physical ill-health issues as a result of COVID-19 infection over the last few years. The ME Association estimates that almost a million people who experienced COVID-19 now meet criteria for an ME/CFS diagnosis, for example. This huge group is now forced to contend with loss of income due to illness, increased costs of being disabled* and social security that doesn’t even cover basic essentials.
Similarly, the rapidly increasing cost of living has pushed families and individuals into poverty across the UK. Right now, 6 in 10 (59%) of those we serve are forced to borrow money just to afford their regular food shop, and parents are being forced to make choices that no one should ever have to make, such as whether to heat their homes or put food on the table.
People are trying to survive on unstable and inadequate incomes that don’t even cover basic living costs. Our social security system no longer offers an adequate safety net for those who need it – especially those on the lowest incomes, or those facing extra vulnerability factors such as disability. Our national health service is under more and more strain every day due to the increase in mental and physical health issues. We’re surrounded by tragedy, poverty and war, with no clear end in sight.
For most of us, the future looks uncertain, and for far too many, it seems pretty bleak.
The Bible as a source of hope
Each of us is being bombarded with hopelessness from all angles every single day. From watching the news to seeing those we love suffering right on our doorsteps, there’s no escaping the fact that life can be extremely hard, a lot of the time, for a lot of people.
With Bible sales up, it seems that, perhaps unsurprisingly, more people are turning to God’s Word in search of something. Maybe guidance, encouragement or an explanation? Whatever it is that people are searching for, there are many things anyone reading the Bible is sure to find…
The Bible offers us solidarity as we read of individuals and communities that suffered through poverty, war, famine, death, illness and disasters. It offers language to help us grieve and process pain. It offers us comfort, reminding us that God is with us in our darkest moments. The Bible guides us to a God who is present and powerful and the promise of a hope-filled future.
A rise in Bible sales means more people are discovering God’s real and tangible hope that stands strong despite the chaos around us, which honestly feels like a spring in a desert.
The digital age: making the Bible more accessible
Just as news about global events has become instantly accessible to us with the rise of the internet and mobile phones, so has the Bible – and church! While we’ve had free, downloadable Bible apps for a long time, this doesn’t account for an increase in physical Bible sales, so something else must be drawing people in to grab their own physical copy of the Bible.
I wonder if, with the rise of social media and online streaming platforms over the past few years, it’s become easier than ever to discover – and understand – the gospel, learn about Christianity and even study the Word from the comfort of our own homes.
The Bible is not a simple text, and can be difficult to navigate and understand on your own. So now everyone from influencers to clergy to those with degrees and doctorates are sharing their faith, exploring and explaining Scripture on social media, it’s become much easier to find digestible content that brings the Bible to life. Many churches across the world are also live-streaming their Sunday services, making church more accessible to those unable to attend, and bringing the teaching of the Bible to a wider audience.
Being able to access not just the Bible itself, but different opinions, insights, studies and sermon messages, has given people an opportunity to explore the Bible, Christianity and how it relates to real-world, topical issues. This makes the Bible feel much more relevant and easier to understand, especially to those without a Christian upbringing or any previous knowledge.
What does the increase in Bible sales mean for UK society?
As more people across the UK read the Bible and discover a God who loves them and the world around us, I pray for a shift in society towards steadfast hope. I pray that those reading the Bible for the first time will find clarity, comfort and encouragement to help them withstand whatever trials they face, and to fight for a society where everyone can thrive.
As ‘the Word is alive and active’, I trust that as the words permeate people’s hearts, we’ll begin to see more people practising compassion, fighting for justice and putting God’s love into action. As those in our society connect this ancient text with life today, I believe we’ll see UK-wide transformation that is rooted in wild, unshakeable hope.
Pray with us
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*Scope found that the average extra income needed for disabled households to have the same standard of living as non-disabled households is £1,095 a month, which even the maximum disability benefits do not get close to covering.
