Connecting with the disconnected: Bible reading for the post-modern world

There’s an irony at the heart of modern connectivity. We live in a world that is more connected than in any previous generation, but there is an ever-growing sense of disconnection. Social media is designed to enable people to stay connected with each other yet the more we depend on technology and social media the more isolated we can feel.

So, in this culture of disconnectedness, in a society which is largely ‘post-Christian’, how can we find the opportunities to help young people read the Bible? What are the challenges and hurdles? What steps can we take to help?

Some of the challenges are universal and have been around for a long time. Many people, whether young or not so young, are focussed on enjoying themselves without considering the big questions of life. They say, 'I’ll think about that some other time.' This is not specific to today’s world, but it’s certainly common.

Materialism is also a prevalent aspect of our culture—'I don’t feel good about myself, so I will buy a new iPhone and expect to feel better.'

Alongside these universal challenges are the challenges more specific to our cultural moment–including growing biblical illiteracy, the idea that truth is treated as subjective, and the impact of the internet on the way that people today are thinking.

I became a Christian through an SU camp at Scoughall in 1980. Back then, most young people would know some stories from the Bible, perhaps Noah’s ark, perhaps Daniel and the lions' den. That’s not true any more and as our society changes it’s becoming harder for young people to see the relevance of the Bible.

Instead, we are living in a world of confirmation bias. Internet algorithms serve us up material that’s relevant to searches we make. We only tend to see content that we agree with—leading to the polarisation of ideas, a loss of the middle ground and an absence of nuanced, critical and individual thinking. Cancel culture is an aspect of this new reality. If there is one thing about a person or an idea where we disagree, then everything about that person and their work is thrown out. This can lead to particular difficulties when discussing an ancient text from a very different social and historical setting. This, combined with the relativisation of truth— they say, 'That may be true for you, but it’s not true for me!'— leaves us with plenty of challenges in terms of communicating the Bible.

Despite all of this, our moment presents important opportunities as well. In a 'market-place of ideas' we can present Christianity as a valid option. Where there is biblical illiteracy, a reader comes fresh to encounter Jesus without preconceived ideas.

And, of course, we can be confident that we have a robust message. From our own experience we see God at work, in our lives and in the world he created. We know the good news of God as Creator, King and Saviour.

More than ever in today’s world, young people need to hear the message about God’s love. In disconnected lives and the challenges this brings, our young people need to hear about Jesus. We can often be distracted from the gospel truth by discussions of morality, so our starting point should be focussed on the person of Jesus as far as possible.

When we let the words of the Bible speak for themselves, rather than moralising or explaining around them, then people can explore and respond. I suggest encouraging imagination, helping people to wonder about the stories and see themselves in the characters. This is untidy—messy even—but enables real connection with the text, with God’s written Word.

The Bible is full of stories. Sharing these stories and giving a general sense of the text is far more important than detailed theological accuracy. That can follow later.

Genuineness is also an attractive principle in a world of carefully curated posts. Sharing our doubts and failures, as well as sharing the reality of how we have encountered God, is particularly powerful in our setting.

To me the biggest message we need to communicate is LOVE. Real community is the bridge to sharing good news. This is the priestly task— finding a way to represent God to the people—and we do this powerfully as a group that offers community.

There are no quick and easy answers, but there are great opportunities still. 

Dr Jamie Grant, Vice-Principal and Lecturer in Biblical Studies, Highland Theological College UHI

Jamie delivered the Bible engagement sessions at the SU Scotland Event Leadership Conference at Lendrick Muir in January 2023, and a workshop exploring the challenges and opportunities of Bible reading in today’s world. This article reflects some of the key points from the seminar.