A man walked into a local bookstore and asked if he could make a return.
“Sure,” said the sales clerk, “What do you have?
It’s a Bible,” he said, handing it to the clerk
“Was it a gift?”
“No, I bought it for myself,”” he said.
“Didn’t you like the translation? Or the type size?”
“Oh no,” the man said, “the translation was fine, and the type was readable. I just made a mistake.””
“Well,” said the clerk, “I need to write down a reason for the return.”
“In that case,” replied the man, “write down there is a lot in that book which is tough to swallow.”
While this little story provides an amusing chuckle, the disposition represented by the returnee may be more fact than fiction.
Lamar Vest, President and CEO of The American Bible Society furnishes information from a recent survey suggesting such. In an article published by Fox News, he asks, “DOES THE BIBLE STILL MATTER IN 2012?”
In their annual “State of the Bible” report, the ABS says the results of this year’s study can be summarized in two words” “encouraging and unsettling.”
The survey conducted by Barna Research found that 69% of Americans believe the Bible contains answers on how to live a meaningful life. While 79% believe they have good Bible knowledge, 54% couldn’t name the first five Bible books . And about half were unable to identify any fundamental differences between the Bible and the Q’uran or The Book of Mormon.
That the Bible has too little influence in society was agreed upon by 47% of the respondents. However, 46% admitted that they don’t read the Bible more than once or twice a year!
Vest then raises two questions that are both probing and penetrating.
“If Americans believe in the value of reading and applying the Bible, why don’t more of us do so?”
“If we believe that the Bible has the right amount of—or too little—influence in society, why is so much negative attention given to expressions of the faith in the God of the Bible?”
Could it be that too many are like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day who honored God outwardly and verbally, but did not have a devoted heart? They lacked a personal relationship with God? Do we? They were more concerned with knowing facts about God instead of knowing God! Are we?
Is it possible that many, even some Christians, give lip service to the Bible, but in reality find it “a tough book to swallow”?
Paul affirmed the “God -breathed” scriptures were profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). And Peter said, we’ve been given “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Pet 1:3). In 2012 the Bible can still provide us with a focus for life, a direction for daily living, and counsel that addresses all our spiritual, emotional and relational needs. James admonished to be “doers of the word and not hearers only” (Jas 1:22).
Do you find it “tough to swallow” the moral teaching of the Bible? The marital teaching? The doctrinal teaching? Is it “tough to swallow” Jesus’ teaching on commitment? Self-sacrifice? Discipleship?
The virtue is not in just reading the Bible or even believing it, but personally applying its percepts. Could my failure to give proper attention to the Bible simply say “that book has some things in it which are “tough to swallow?”
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
ThePreachersWord 
Excellent comments – I couldn’t help put think of Ezekiel and John being told to eat the scroll or book, and then having to swallow it. Some things are difficult to swallow – especially those that bring us face to face with our sins and the judgment of God!
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Thanks, Ron! Good comments!
Ken Weliever 12107 Wood Duck Pl Temple Terrace, FL 33617 Home Phone: 813-899-4539 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com
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If anyone wants to refurbish thier old Bible, That’s what I do. Please visit my website to see a couple of the transformations that I have done.
http://WWW.gbbookman.biz
or send me an Email with a couple of pix of your tired book for a bid.
Jim [The Book Man]
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