10 Million Americans Join the ‘Movable Middle,’ Engage With the Bible

The first chapter of the American Bible Society’s 13th annual State of the Bible study reveals more than 10 million Americans have joined the ‘movable middle’ – people new to exploring the Bible that were previously considered disengaged from Scripture.

State of the Bible 2023 found that the movable middle has grown to 76 million American adults, and the Bible disengaged segment has fallen to 138 million. The data indicates a shift of approximately 10 million Americans out of the Bible disengaged segment and into the movable middle.

“Our research this year delivers an urgent message for those ministering in America. Although it’s a relief that the number of Bible Users did not continue along its precipitous decline, there remains a pressing need to help spiritually engage an expanding movable middle,” said John Farquhar Plake, PhD, the American Bible Society’s Chief Ministry Insights and Innovation Officer, via press release.

Report data came from 2,761 online interviews with American adults in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The nationally representative survey was performed for American Bible Society by NORC at the University of Chicago.

State of the Bible 2023 also found that those engaging with Scripture had a comparatively higher level of hope than those who do not, while a majority of those who turn to Scripture say they do because “it brings [them] closer to God.”

“Positively, Americans who are Scripture engaged show significantly higher levels of hope than their neighbors,” said Plake. “Although our society faces challenges on many fronts, the Bible provides hope and help to those who explore its truths.”

Additionally, slightly less than half of Americans surveyed (44%) say America would be worse off without Bible-reading, compared to 14% who say a Bibleless America would be better. Notably, more than a quarter of non-Bible Users, who seldom if ever interact with Scripture, still say the country would be worse off without the Bible.

The American Bible Society will release another nine new chapters in the State of the Bible throughout 2023, including reports on how our mothers shape our faith; the Bible’s influence on human flourishing; Gen Z perspectives on the Bible, faith, and church; and the impact of emerging technology on Bible engagement habits.