Why is the Bible, though being the greatest book ever written, neglected and looked down upon by many people?
Why do people invest the time and effort to read a book? In most cases, they do so because they expect it to interest them or provide some kind of benefit. Christians generally understand the Bible as the story of God’s redeeming love—a message they see as deeply significant for their own lives. Non-Christians, however, often view the Bible differently, with less appreciation for its value or relevance. How does the Bible itself explain these differing perspectives toward it?
Some reasons why people are uninterested in the Bible
Perhaps one reason many people look down on the Bible is that it makes little or no sense to them. In 1 Corinthians 1:18–19, Paul explains why those who are not seeking God may struggle to understand or accept the Bible’s message. He points out there, and elsewhere, that God’s wisdom differs from the wisdom of the world. As a result, the Bible’s teachings can appear foolish to non-Christians.
Others may resist the idea that God has authority over their lives. Proverbs 1:7 states, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” In this context, “the fear of the Lord” refers to a reverent acceptance of God’s revealed truth. A “fool,” according to Proverbs, is someone so confident in his own opinions that he becomes unwilling to learn—even when confronted with biblical truth or wise counsel. As a result, some people are uninterested in the Bible, or even look down on it, because they believe their own ideas are superior for guiding life.
Some people believe that the stories in the Bible were intentionally designed to deceive. The apostle Peter strongly denies this view in 2 Peter 1:16, where he states that: “We did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty“.
A matter of perspective: Is the Bible God’s Word?
The Bible claims to be the Word of God. As such, it has authority and credibility. Revelation did not come from men – it came to men (see for example 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 3:16). Paul says something similar in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, where he makes it clear that the words he shared were from God, not from men.
However, many people don’t accept this claim and therefore don’t read the Bible with their hearts open to what God might say. They may see it as great literature or a guide for human morals, which makes it interesting, but not powerful enough to change a life. If you approach the Bible as just an ancient book, you will only find information that may not be very relevant for your personal life. But if you approach it as a letter from a loving God, you will find guidance, comfort and strength. Your perspective changes how much the Bible can actually help you.
Christians neglecting the Bible
One might also ask, “Why do Christians sometimes neglect the Bible?” Although Christians have placed their faith in God, they may not yet fully recognize that the words of Scripture are essential for spiritual growth and the development of godly character (2 Timothy 3:16). God has given His written Word as a gift to instruct, correct, and guide us (Psalm 32:8), yet receiving that instruction does not always come naturally or easily.
At times, Christians may resist the correction and discipline that come through God’s Word (Psalm 32:9; 50:17). Growing in faith requires the willingness to invest time and effort in learning what God says in the Bible. Through this process, believers are shaped into the kind of people He desires them to become (Psalm 119:9–11; Romans 12:1–2; 2 Timothy 3:17). This is not always easy, but it’s certainly worth it — see Hebrews 12:11.
What is your view on the Bible?