A new report from the American Bible Society reveals a growing crisis of biblical illiteracy across the United States. According to the 2026 State of the Bible report, only 17% of Americans say they have read the entire Bible, while a majority admit to reading only portions—or none at all. In fact, nearly 68% of Americans read Scripture less than once a month, highlighting a widespread decline in consistent engagement with God’s Word.
The findings suggest that this lack of biblical knowledge is not merely a matter of complexity, but a lack of effort and discipline. Many Americans may overestimate how much Scripture they have actually read, and without a structured approach, meaningful understanding remains limited. The report emphasizes that partial knowledge of Scripture can leave individuals vulnerable to misinterpretation and false teaching, underscoring the importance of knowing the full counsel of God’s Word.