Thy Word Is A Lamp Unto My Feet: Bible Sales Surge In 2024, But Is It A Good Thing?

You may wonder what could be negative about a rise in Bible sales. More Bibles finding their way into American homes is a good thing! However, the motivations behind these purchases vary. A recent Wall Street Journal article cites anxiety, the need for hope, and clever marketing, as key reasons for the recent 22% increase. While these factors may seem concerning, the ultimate positive remains: more Bibles are being circulated. Let’s examine the potential causes and possible implications of this trend.

An Anxious Generation?

Researchers state that anxiety levels are at an all-time high (American Psychiatric Association, 2024). Jonathan Haidt, in his 2024 New York Times bestseller, The Anxious Generation, explores how smartphones and social media contribute to this phenomenon. While debate persists over the causes of anxiety, few dispute its prevalence. Haidt notes:

It is healthy to be anxious and on alert when one is in a situation where there really could be dangers lurking. But when our alarm bell is on a hair trigger so that it is frequently activated by ordinary events — including many that pose no real threat — it keeps us in a perpetual state of distress. This is when ordinary, healthy, temporary anxiety turns into an anxiety disorder (Haidt, 2024, p. 28).

The encouraging news is that people are turning to the Bible for solace. While clinical anxiety may require counseling or medication, the Bible offers practical tools for managing anxiety. Its teachings provide guidance that complements professional care, fostering peace during challenging times.

Psalm 131 is a favorite for its calming effects. Years ago, my husband introduced me to the Christian Counseling Education Foundation and the works of Dr. David Powlison. Powlison’s concept of the “anti-Psalm” sheds light on how we can shift our focus from self-centered worries to God’s providence (Taylor, 2011).

Psalm 131 (ESV):

O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me (vv.1-2).

Anti-Psalm 131:

Self, my heart is proud (I’m absorbed in myself), and my eyes are haughty (I look down on others). I chase after things too great for me. So, of course, I’m noisy and restless inside—like a hungry infant fussing on its mother’s lap. My hopes are scattered everywhere (vv.1-2).

This shift from self-focus to God-focus encourages us to explore how Scripture reorients our hearts. This isn’t to suggest that anxiety stems solely from self-centeredness; rather, it’s an invitation to an anxious generation to lift our eyes to Jesus and find peace in His presence.

Help for the Hopeless

One reason cited for the surge in Bible sales is that people want a source of hope — something deeper and more enduring to anchor them in uncertain times. It’s telling that the public sees their need for something concrete. Whether due to political upheaval, a global pandemic, or other sources of hardship, a rise in Bible sales has great potential for helping those in need of comfort.

Modern culture often leans on toxic positivity and self-help affirmations (Ho, 2023). However, these strategies can feel shallow and untenable. The great news is that the Bible is a firm foundation for hope and truth. Lindsey Carlson articulates this well: “We need encouragement that points us to the unchanging truth of God” (Carlson, 2022). For those seeking lasting hope, the Bible provides enduring guidance:

• Psalm 119:114 — “You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.”
• Romans 5:3-5 — “Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”
• Psalm 25:5 — “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”

For those searching for hope as 2024 comes to a close, may it be found in God’s Word. By investing in Bible literacy and exploring the meta-narrative of Scripture, individuals can discover the encouragement they seek within its pages.

The Aesthetic Pull

“Just living is not enough … one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.”

—Hans Christian Andersen

What about those who purchase a new Bible because they are pulled in by clever marketing? I’ll be the first to admit — that’s me. I can’t resist a good journaling Bible or study Bible, and if it features an aesthetically pleasing cover and pages, that’s even more reason to add it to my Amazon cart.

At first glance, this might seem trivial or even vain. But let’s pause for a moment — God created beauty. He designed us to appreciate it. While Apostle Paul showed us how to find joy in God’s presence within the dark, cold confines of a prison cell, I find my modern, first-world joy amplified in the early morning light, surrounded by my floral journal, colorful pens, and a beautiful Bible.

Of course, I could just as easily commune with Him using a plain spiral notebook, pencil, and any copy of the Bible. Ultimately, the important thing is to engage with the Bible. It is God’s Word — our way of knowing Him and understanding His character. If someone buys a Bible with no intention of reading it — purely for the aesthetics or a social media post — then yes, we risk missing the point. But here’s the beauty of it: If a thoughtfully designed Bible sparks even a single soul to crack it open and begin their journey into God’s Word, that’s an excellent outcome.

References:

American Psychiatric Association. (2024). Annual poll: Adults express increasing anxiousness. Retrieved from https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/news-releases

Carlson, L. (2022). Why self-help is not encouragement. The Gospel Coalition. Retrieved from https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/self-help-encouragement

English Standard Bible. (2001). ESV Online. https://esv.literalword.com/

Haidt, J. (2024). The anxious generation. HarperCollins.

New International Bible. (2011). The NIV Bible. https://www.thenivbible.com (Original work published 1978)

Taylor, J. (2011). The anti-Psalm 131 vs. the real Psalm 131. The Gospel Coalition. Retrieved from https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/