Opening the Bible G.A.T.E.

There is clear evidence of an upsurge in Bible purchases. More people want Bibles. Younger people are buying Bibles. Bibles are being eagerly sought particularly by those who have never read them and may feel that they are missing out.

We see anecdotal evidence for this at our church and no doubt plenty of stories can be shared around the country. A teenager visited our church for the first time recently, desperate to buy a Bible. He didn’t want to be given one for free. He wanted to pay for it, having never had a Bible before.

Growing Bible sales are not the same as more Bible reading. That’s the real challenge. Our first-time readers may quickly come across apparent contradictions whether through their own reading or what sceptical and hostile friends or social media point out. Here are four ways starting with the letters G.A.T.E. that we can help new readers deal with apparent contradictions.