How are Americans engaging with the Bible in 2025? For 15 years, American Bible Society's State of the Bible report has explored this vital question. Join us each month as we unpack the latest data on Bible use, Scripture engagement, and its impact on faith, trust, church engagement, and well-being. Plus, hear from thought leaders who provide deeper insights beyond the numbers. Subscribe to the State of the Bible podcast for the latest data.
Why the US Ranks 15th in Flourishing and What the Church Can Do
America is one of the wealthiest nations on earth so surely it ranks high in flourishing? In reality, the U.S. is behind Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, and Tanzania, ranking 15th out of 22 countries.Maybe we’ve been chasing the wrong things?Dr. Byron Johnson, professor at Baylor University and lead researcher on the Global Flourishing Study joins Dr. John Plake to unpack what the data says and what the church can do about it.Here’s what we cover in this episode:Why the wealthiest country in the world isn’t the happiestWhy Gen Z is struggling more than any generation in every country we studiedHow reading the Bible regularly changes your flourishing score more than you’d imagineWhy people who lost their jobs and read the Bible flourish more than people who never lost their jobWhat men on death row can teach us about joyWhy suffering and flourishing aren’t opposites
21 Oct 2026
What America Believes about Ghosts, Demons, and Answered Prayer | Featuring Billy Hallowell and Jarrod Anderson of CBN Films
Two-thirds of Americans believe in a spiritual world beyond the natural one and nearly half say they’ve watched God answer their prayers in a miraculous way.
Chapter 7 of the 2026 State of the Bible report shows us something that culture rarely admits: most Americans are closer to a biblical worldview than anyone thinks.
In this episode, Dr. John Plake sits down with Billy Hallowell and Jarrod Anderson from CBN’s Investigating the Supernatural to dig into what the data reveals and what it means for the church.
25 Sept 2026
Why Forgiveness is Such a Powerful Part of the Healing Journey With Dr. Phil Monroe
Dr. Phil Monroe is a psychologist with more than three decades of clinical experience. He is an advisor for the Trauma Healing Institute at American Bible Society, a program that brings together proven mental health practices and the wisdom of the Bible in an accessible way. In this episode, Dr. Monroe shares why forgiveness is so hard but also how it is an important part of the healing journey.You can download our full chapter on Forgiveness for free at StateoftheBible.org/forgiveness
13 Aug 2026
How to Know If Your Church Is Healthy | Featuring Randy Frazee, Spiritual Formation Expert
The headlines say the church in America is in trouble (and some of the data backs that up) but when you step inside the churches people attend, a different story emerges. Which is true?In this episode, Dr. John Plake sits down with Randy Frazee, pastor, author, and one of America's most respected voices on spiritual formation, to dig into what the 2026 State of the Bible data says about church health and what it takes to lead a congregation toward deep spiritual vitality.Learn more about the State of the Bible research and download the latest chapter about church health at stateofthebible.org.
15 Jul 2026
Why Finding Your Calling Matters More Than You Think | Featuring Dr. Bryan Dik
Most people think of calling as a nice idea. The 2026 State of the Bible research suggests it's a lot more than that and the data might change how you think about the people in your church.In this episode, Dr. John Plake sits down with Dr. Brian Dik, professor of psychology at Colorado State University and one of the world's leading researchers on the psychology of calling and vocation. Together, they discuss how calling is not a single moment we catch or miss, but a lifelong journey. And why a sense of calling is integral to a fulfilling and flourishing life.Learn more about the State of the Bible research and download the latest chapter at stateofthebible.org.
6 Jul 2026
Why Gen Z Wants AI for the Bible But Not the Pulpit | Featuring AI Expert Dr. K
New research from the 2026 State of the Bible report reveals a striking contradiction: Gen Z is the least Bible-engaged adult generation in America and the most likely to turn to AI for biblical insight. But they're also the generation most resistant to seeing that same tool in the hands of their pastor. What does that tell us about authenticity, trust, and spiritual formation in the age of AI?In this episode, Dr. John Plake sits down with Dr. K — AI consultant, ethicist, former US intelligence officer, theologian trained under Dallas Willard, and author of Hope's Horizon: From Chatbots to Jesus Return — to dig into what the data says and what it means for the church.Learn more about the State of the Bible research and download the latest chapter at stateofthebible.org.Chapters:00:30 - Meet Dr. K: AI ethicist, theologian, and former intelligence officer01:46 - Dr. K's journey from Vegas to the CIA to AI ethics08:24 - What the 2026 data says about American attitudes toward AI09:36 - Why AI optimism is growing and what's driving it13:33 - The Gen Z paradox: least Bible-engaged, most likely to use AI for scripture18:03 - Why Gen Z holds their pastor to a higher standard than a chatbot19:24 - Authenticity is the coin of the realm for Gen Z and Gen Alpha20:00 - Who's really using AI for Bible study and why it matters24:08 - This AI moment is a gospel moment28:08 - How the church should respond to the AI age29:46 - Should we benchmark AI models for Christian faithfulness?35:58 - Where AI helps a pastor and where it doesn't40:00 - Dr. Kay's conversion story: saved in a Vegas hair salon43:47 - What would Dallas Willard say about AI?48:11 - The wisdom gap and the church's opportunity50:02 - Hope's Horizon: from chatbots to Jesus' return53:25 - Closing and resources
27 May 2026
Exhausted Moms, Open Dads, and the Bible Gap You Can Help Shrink | Featuring Kate Watson of Axis
New research from State of the Bible 2026 reveals a surprising pattern: young parents are significantly more likely to identify as Christian than their non-parenting peers but Bible engagement remains low. In this episode, Dr. John Plake sits down with Kate Watson, publisher at Axis, to unpack what's really driving faith engagement among millennial and Gen Z parents and what pastors and church leaders can do about it. Learn more about the State of the Bible research and download the latest chapter at stateofthebible.org.Chapters:00:29 - Meet Kate Watson of Axis02:02 - What the 2026 data says about young parents and faith03:18 - Does parenthood reopen faith or do faithful people have kids?08:04 - Encouragement for the exhausted mom10:03 - What pastors need to hear about moms in their congregation11:00 - Understanding the Movable Middle parent12:39 - One practical step pastors can take this week 15:34 - Making scripture part of everyday relationship16:20 - Overcoming the fear of giving your teen a Bible18:20 - Why parents pray with kids but don't read the Bible with them20:07 - Letting kids lead their own Bible engagement22:25 - What to do when you don't have all the answers23:15 - The gap after children's Bibles27:45 - What makes Gen Alpha different and why it matters for the church30:08 - The stakes of getting Gen Alpha right32:18 - Closing and resources
9 Apr 2026
Why Openness to the Bible is Up (But Bible Reading is Down)
After a brief spike in 2025, Bible engagement has dropped back down to 2024 levels. What happened? We explore the growing Movable Middle, Gen Z's surprising reading habits, and the paradox of rising church attendance alongside falling Scripture use to help you close the discipleship gap.
Join host Dr. John Plake, American Bible Society CEO Dr. Jennifer Holleran, and the State of the Bible research team—Dr. Jeff Fulks and Sandra Siggins—as they unpack the 2026 report.
Chapters:
00:00 - The Discipleship Gap in America
01:06 - 2026 Returns to 2024 Levels
04:48 - The Growth of the "Movable Middle"
06:06 - Active vs. Occasional Bible Users
07:54 - Gen Z vs. Millennials
12:15 - Reaching Emerging Adults (Ages 18-35)
15:37 - Regional Shifts
20:00 - The Surprising Rise of Bible Neutrals
26:42 - How Much of the Bible Have Americans Actually Read?
29:28 - Why Print is Still King for Bible Reading
34:02 - Church Attendance Up, Bible Use Down
40:15 - Upcoming State of the Bible Topics
Understand America's relationship with Scripture.
Get your free copy of the data here: https://stateofthebible.org/
Get the spiritual X-ray for your church.
Sign up for a free church assessment here: https://church.nextstep.bible/
24 Feb 2026
How to Diagnose Your Church Health — The Spiritual X-Ray | Featuring Pastor Coach Cally Parkinson
It can be hard for pastors to see the invisible spiritual health of their church. In this episode; author, coach, and Reveal study co-author Cally Parkinson explains how church assessments can act as a spiritual X-ray. If you want to move past guesswork and truly measure your church's health, this conversation will show you how.
Chapters:
00:00 - The top problems hiding in your church culture
04:50 - Why a pastor's gut feeling isn't enough to diagnose issues
06:50 - Why church activities don't drive growth
09:55 - How to use assessments as a spiritual X-ray
13:06 - Cally's journey from Allstate Insurance to the Reveal study
22:19 - Preaching vs. leadership
26:12 - Cally's mandate for pastors
Get the spiritual X-ray for your church.
Sign up for a free church assessment here: https://church.nextstep.bible/
20 Nov 2025
Connecting Your Faith to Relationships with Dr. Heath Adamson
How is our relationship with God connected to how we treat others? Dr. Heath Adamson, author of Hope Breaks Through, discusses how we change when we follow Christ's example of loving our neighbors. Don't miss these valuable insights! Subscribe for more State of the Bible Podcast episodes.#americanbiblesociety #heathadamson #bible #faith #relationships #stateofthebible #godsword
13 Oct 2025
The 5 Essentials of Trust with Dr. Henry Cloud | State of the Bible Podcast
How do we build trust in a world shaped by trauma and skepticism? 🤔
Dr. Cloud reveals his 5 Essentials of Trust—understanding, motive, ability, character, and track record—and explains why these are the non-negotiables for healthy connections. #Trust #Forgiveness #Trauma #HenryCloud #Leadership #Faith #Relationships #ChurchLeadership
22 Sept 2025
Gen Z Identity Crisis: Navigating Adulthood & Faith in the Digital Age
Join Dr. John Plake and Dr. Arthur Satterwhite as they dive into the complex world of Generation Z and the challenges young adults face in forming a strong sense of identity.In this powerful conversation, they discuss the critical roles of community, faith, and scripture in shaping who we are. They also explore how technology impacts this journey and what we can all do to better support the next generation.
12 Aug 2025
Living Your Faith: A Conversation with Pastor Peter Englert
Dr. John Plake sits down with Pastor Peter Englert to discuss the art of living out your faith. As an adult discipleship pastor, Peter is passionate about helping people apply biblical teachings to their daily lives. Tune in for a powerful discussion on faith, discipleship, and practical steps you can take to strengthen your walk with Christ.
10 Jul 2025
Soul Care for Leaders: How the Bible Builds Spiritual Strength with Mindy Caliguire
How can church leaders cultivate deep spiritual strength and vibrant soul health in the demanding world of ministry? In this compelling conversation, Dr. John Plake of American Bible Society sits down with the renowned spiritual formation expert, Mindy Caliguire.Mindy, the visionary behind Soulcare—an organization committed to restoring soul health and fostering meaningful connection with God—brings her wealth of knowledge to the table. With a background spanning executive roles at GLU and the Global Leadership Network, and as the author of impactful books like Discovering Soulcare and Stir and Ignite Your Soul, Mindy offers invaluable guidance.This episode delves into the profound ways the Bible intersects with our soul care journey, offering a powerful blueprint for spiritual growth that resonates deeply with pastors and church leaders. Don't miss Mindy's insights on fostering a resilient spirit and a thriving relationship with God, even in the busiest seasons.Discover more about Mindy's transformative work at SoulCare.com.
9 Jul 2025
Why Self-Care Matters: Dr. Christine Arnzen's Guide to Healthy Living & Faith
Dr. John Plake, Chief Innovation Officer at American Bible Society and Editor-in-Chief of the State of the Bible Research Study, sits down with counseling expert Dr. Christine Arnzen. With over three decades in counseling and counselor education, Dr. Arnzen brings a wealth of experience to this discussion on the essential nature of self-care.Explore why personal well-being is fundamental for both personal and professional success, and how it directly impacts our ability to live out our faith. Dr. Arnzen, a professor at Concordia University's Townsend Institute, shares her journey and practical wisdom on balancing a demanding career with simple joys, family life, and spiritual grounding.This episode is packed with unique insights for anyone looking to prioritize their mental, emotional, and spiritual health.#stateofthebible #selfcare #faith #americanbiblesociety
12 Jun 2025
Religion & Well-being: A Global Look at Human Flourishing with Dr. Kate Long
Join Dr. John Plake, Chief Innovation Officer at American Bible Society and Editor-in-Chief of the State of the Bible Research Study, as he speaks with Dr. Kate Long, a researcher with Harvard University's Human Flourishing Program.In this insightful conversation, they delve into the Global Flourishing Study, a groundbreaking multi-year research project spanning 22 countries, exploring what leads to meaningful, holistic well-being. Dr. Long shares her expertise on the intersection of religion and well-being, discussing key findings from the study.Learn more about the Global Flourishing Study at globalflourishingstudy.com and download the State of the Bible report for free at stateofthebible.org.
10 Jun 2025
Unpacking Global Bible Engagement: Insights from the Patmos Study with Dr. Rhiannon McAleer
Join Dr. John Plake of the State of the Bible podcast as he speaks with Dr. Rhiannon McAleer from the British and Foreign Bible Society. They delve into the groundbreaking Patmos Global Study, a collaboration with Gallup, exploring Bible engagement worldwide. Discover key findings and what they reveal about faith across different cultures.#americanbiblesociety #stateofthebible #gallup #bible #bibleengagement #christianity
7 May 2025
The Rebirth of Belief? Justin Brierley on Faith & Skepticism | State of the Bible Podcast
Justin Brierley discusses the resurgence of belief and challenges to skepticism with Dr. John Plake, exploring faith's evolution and secular thinkers' renewed interest in Christianity in this interview.
9 Apr 2025
State of the Bible, The Podcast | Navigating Today's Bible Landscape with Jennifer Holloran
Jennifer Holloran, President and CEO of American Bible Society, discusses current trends in Bible engagement, including increased interaction among Millennials, Gen X, and men, in an interview on the State of the Bible Podcast.
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