The Great Awakening? As Church Pews Empty, Bible Sales Are Soaring
In a surprising cultural shift that is redefining American spirituality, new data reveals a powerful paradox: while Americans are increasingly stepping away from organized religion, they are flocking to the Bible in record numbers. According to an analysis by Circana BookScan, Bible sales surged by 11% in September 2025 compared to the year prior, continuing an unprecedented growth streak that began in 2021. With over 18 million copies sold this year alone, the ancient text is proving to be a modern-day bestseller, defying the broader trend of religious decline and suggesting a move towards a more personal, decentralized form of faith.
This “reset moment,” as termed by Barna Group CEO David Kinnaman, is being driven by a remarkable rebound in engagement. Weekly Bible reading among U.S. adults has climbed to 42%, a significant 12-point jump from a 15-year low just last year. The surge is notably fueled by younger generations and men, demographics that had previously shown declining interest. The digital realm mirrors this trend, with the popular YouVersion Bible App celebrating one billion lifetime downloads and 20 million U.S. installations this year, making Scripture accessible in over 2,300 languages. From the top-selling English Standard Version to specialized editions like the Adventure Bible for kids and the She Reads Truth Bible, the appetite for the Word is both diverse and robust, with a notable spike in purchases following major cultural moments.
This burgeoning Bible boom exists in stark contrast to a simultaneous Gallup study which found that fewer than half of Americans (49%) now say religion is “important” in their lives. This divergence paints a fascinating picture of a nation in spiritual transition. People may be falling out of love with the traditional structures of organized religion, but a deep, personal hunger for sacred text, direct spiritual encounter, and timeless truth appears to be stronger than ever. In an age of uncertainty, it seems millions are bypassing the middleman and going straight to the source, finding in its pages a grounding force that institutions alone could not provide.
