Biblical Illiteracy and the Discernment Crisis: Why It Matters More Than Ever

In an age of endless information, spiritual confusion is surprisingly common. Many people have unprecedented access to Scripture, through apps, podcasts, and online sermons; yet a growing number struggle to understand even the most basic Biblical teachings. This gap between access and understanding is often described as Biblical illiteracy, and it is why we have a discernment crisis. TikTok theology has replaced Bible study.

What Is Biblical Illiteracy?

Biblical illiteracy isn’t just about not reading the Bible, it’s about not knowing/ understanding/ applying it in a meaningful way. It shows up when:

• Verses are taken out of context
• Culture is prioritized over Christ
• Influencer opinions are treated as truth over scripture
• Feelings are followed over facts
• Traditions are chosen over truth
• Sermons sound more like motivational speaking than referencing the truth of the Gospel

Many people can recognize famous phrases or stories, but lack a cohesive understanding of the Bible’s overarching message, themes, and historical context. The Gospel is replaced with humanism.

The Rise of a Discernment Crisis

Discernment is the ability to distinguish truth from error. As Charles Spurgeon famously said, discernment is not knowing right from wrong, it’s knowing right from almost right. When Biblical literacy declines, discernment weakens. The result? Almost any idea can sound convincing even if it contradicts core teachings of Scripture. This generation thinks passion, volume and persuasion means what they’re hearing is truth.

Today’s culture amplifies this problem:

• Social media algorithms reward emotional, simplistic, or sensational messages
• Influencer-driven theology often prioritizes relatability over accuracy
• Relativism promotes the idea that truth is subjective

Without a solid grounding, people may accept teachings that feel right rather than those that are Biblically sound.

Just this week I saw 3 examples of this discernment crisis playing out on social media and real life. First was a female bishop saying we need a third testament, because she’s troubled with the first 2 we have and doesn’t agree with them.

Second, we have a prominent influencer who has over a million and a half followers, daily teaching about his new conversion to faith. He says that God presented Himself to him and he has begun reading his Bible. The problem is, he repeatedly says that he doesn’t agree with everything in the Bible and that’s okay, telling people that they can still live however they want. The truth is Jesus will not be an accessory to your life. He is either on the throne of your heart or He is not. He’s not hanging on like a phone charm. There’s a reason the Bible says that new believers should not teach.

Thirdly, a “christian” teacher that told students to “fast” the Bible, because he did for 3 years and his relationship with Jesus is so much stronger. Huh? What happened to faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God?

Why These Two Issues Are Connected

Biblical illiteracy and the discernment crisis feed each other. When people don’t know Scripture, they lack a standard for evaluating what they hear. And without discernment, they’re less motivated to go deeper into Scripture because they believe lies as truth.

It becomes a cycle:

Less knowledge → weaker discernment /no discernment → more confusion so they accept lies as truth → even less engagement with Scripture and take verses out of context → create new beliefs and spread those lies to others

Signs of the Crisis

You can often recognize this trend in a few key ways:

• Teachings that emphasize personal happiness above all else
• Selective use of Scripture to support pre-existing beliefs
• Confusion about foundational doctrines
• Difficulty identifying false or misleading teaching

None of these happen overnight, they develop gradually when Scripture is sidelined.

What Can Be Done?

Addressing this issue doesn’t require becoming a scholar overnight. It starts with intentional habits:

1. Read Scripture Consistently
Not just isolated verses, but full passages and books to understand context.

2. Learn How to Interpret
Ask basic questions: Who wrote this? To whom? Why? What’s the broader message?

3. Compare Teachings with Scripture
Instead of accepting ideas at face value, measure them against the Biblical text.

4. Engage in Community
Discussion with others can sharpen understanding and reveal where we may have blind spots.

5. Slow Down
Discernment often requires patience. Quick, emotional conclusions are rarely the most reliable.

A Cultural Moment That Demands Depth

We’re living in a time where voices are loud, opinions are constant, and clarity is rare. The solution isn’t withdrawing from the noise, it’s developing the ability to navigate it wisely.

Biblical literacy provides a foundation. Discernment builds on it.

Without them, it’s easy to be led by whatever sounds appealing in the moment. With them, it becomes possible to recognize truth, even when it’s not the loudest voice in the room.

❤ Jen